The ceremony will involve elaborate Hindu rituals by 30 priests, over a period of five days, and will mark the official consecration of the temple, called the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana (HTCI).
The massive ceremony will include the opening of several shrines that are also a part of the temple complex. The deities in these shrines include the Hindu divinities Shiva, Krishna, Rama Balaji, Ganesha, Ayyappa, and the nineteenth century saint Sai Baba, as well to the goddesses, Saraswati, Durga and Bhoodevi or “Mother Earth”. In all, there are 17 primary deities, made of granite and marble and shipped from India.
Thirty-two stone craftsmen from India are completing the temple, which spread over 13.5 acres, and includes a 11,000-square-foot worship hall and a 400-square-foot room for various rituals.
The ritual of Kumbhabhishekam is believed to energize the temple space and the deity, and involves the chanting of various mantras, and the bathing of the deity in sanctified water, which is said to energize the deity and make a representation of divinity. Additionally, an Indian classical music and dance exposition will also be a part of the celebrations.
The HTCI will be open throughout the week, and also plans to organize celebrations of festivals, scriptural talks, cultural programs, heritage camps, youth programs and yoga classes, according to the temple committee. The Illinois State University is planning a cultural immersion trip to the temple on March 21.
