CHICAGO: With apparent blessings of Hanumanji that ensured a 50 degree Fahrenheit weather in the middle of December, the idol installation ceremony of Hanuman at Hanuman Mandir and Community Center in Glenview turned out to be a highly successful and joyful event.
It was a year ago on December 14, 2013 that devotees of Hanumanji celebrated the Bhumi Shudhi, a religious ritual for purification of land before the start of construction of the ambitious project on a 4.1-acre plot of land in Glenview encompassing a 37,200-square-foot, two-story building.
A large number of devotees have been praying for months for the actual installation of the biggest Hanumanji Idol here and it did happen on December 14.
It Is not only Hanuman Mandir but a broad ended community project that will include a place of worship and a community center. The center has a multi-faceted public place to celebrate various cultural, spiritual and educational programs.
The Sthapna prayers started on Dec. 12 with taking out the Hanuman Moorti from a strong shipment container. It was 22.5-foot tall, over 45,000-lb., idol that was one-piece statue carved of Makrana marble shipped from Jaipur. The sculptor poured his art and mind in carving out this Moorti that seemed live with Hanumanji showering blessings with a great smile.
The event started with prayers by Pandit Yogesh Pandya and Pandit Nagendra Rao at Hanuman Spiritual and Cultural Center, at 3623 West Lake Street, Glenview, IL. On December 14 the crowd moved around a circular path that enabled the devotees to have Moorti Darshan without leaving their cars. The Auditorium at the nearby school was decorated by an energetic team of volunteers on the previous evening.
The chanting of prayers was accompanied by singing of various Bhajans. The devotees were provided with bags of holy Parsad that included a special wooden bead. The event was peacefully enjoyed with the chanting of Mantras and chanting of Hanuman Chalisa. At the end, the holy Moorti was safely covered until the construction of Mandir dome would resume after winter.
Meanwhile, everyone is welcome to join the regular monthly prayers and Sunderkaand recitation from 5-7 p.m., on every fourth Saturday, at the residence of Dr Khurana at 2390 Dorina Dr., Northfield, IL.
“The goal of the Hanuman Temple is to create a safe and peaceful place for prayer, meditation and reflection for attendees and members of the public at large for generations to come” said Dr Chandra Khurana, the main organizer.
Asian Media USA
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