B) 2 nd Q BALAVIHAR ACTIVITIES C) STORY OF OUR SHIVA LINGA D) MARBLE DEITIES REACH MAHABALIPURAM E) OUR TEMPLE MARBLE DEITIES F) SHRIPATI TEMPLE PROJECT UPDATE G) FUNDING STATUS H) UPCOMING EVENTS
Chinmaya Shripati
The tragedy of human history is decreasing happiness in the midst of increasing comforts
3nd quarter 2012 news- letter Chinmaya Shripati Temple 1580 South Major Drive Beaumont, TX 77707
2
A) WELCOME TO OUR WEBSITE : chinmayashripati.org We have completed Stage -1 of this website and released for public use on 'Ganesha Chaturthi day on September 19, 2012. This website contains infor- mation about BalaVihar, Chinmaya Mission, and Temple activities. The in- formation can be accessed through navigation bar in the home page. We have our mission statement, pledges and a brief History of CMB. We also have inspirational quotes from our Gurdev Swami Chinmayayananda and dai- ly Bhagavad Gita Verse on our front page, which enlighten us as the thought for the day. We added panchangam and an event calendar to look for upcoming events and festivities. Currently, Kids ,Youth and Members are encouraged to use links to Chinmaya Kids, CHYK and CM-WEST to navigate to their website di- rectly from our front page. Members also have access to get updates with latest information about ongoing CMB & CMWEST activities in the news col- umns. In addition there is a resource page, which has some audio, video, ar- ticles and stotras. We are planning to update this page on an on-going basis. Please do not forget to watch Upanishad Ganga episodes every week from the link on this website. Members can use this website to register for volunteer activi- ties. Donations can also be made through the Paypal link in the website. The website also navigates to our community forum in Facebook. Please use this opportunity to discuss your ideas, concerns, share your thoughts, pic- tures, festivities, kids activities and Jnana Yajna teachings on our community facebook wall. In order to use this community page you should have a face- book user account. Our webpage also provides driving directions to the Temple site and contact information. There are some webpages still under development and the current web pages will upgraded, time to time. Please send your suggestions, comments and information to wemaster, at info@chinmayashripati.org . Sharan K C is our webmaster and he will be happy to follow-up.
OM OM OM
3
B) SECOND QUARTER BALAVIHAR ACTIVITIES a) 2012 Mothers day celebrations
Mothers day was celebrated with lot of enthusiasm by all bal vihar families on May 12th.
Bal vihar children appreciated their moms by offering them flowers and prostrating before them for their love, care and support. We had almost 100% participation by mothers. College attending students (CHYK) children shared their thoughts on mothers and their continued unconditional support in all walks of life. Senior balavihar children each read one of their favorite Gurudevs quote.
Senior BV children reading Gurudev's quote
Dr. Radha Lal gave a wonderful and very passionate speech on behalf of all mothers to the BV children and adults. As a recently retired OBGYN practitioner, who delivered about 6000 babies in her long career, her words on how difficult to carry and deliver a baby made a deep impression on all attendees. It was very touching. Chinmaya Mission Beaumont recognized the Shri Jawahar and Dr. Radhajis family for their continued supports and love to the BV children by giving gifts to all children every year for many years running.
4
Lal family receiving special thanks from CMB
As our tradition of every year, Dads cooked the meal for all the attendees. This years menu was very delicious and mothers appreciated the service as they got half day break along with very healthy home cooked fresh food. We also celebrated Pujya Gurudevs (Swami Chinmayanandaji) birthday by singing guru Bhajans and performing Guru paduka Pooja.
b) Junior CHYK camp
Beginning of this summer, Karishma & Shivani Ghadia, Saumya Muthuraju, Prachiti Dhamankar & Srikar Murthy attended the Jr. CHYK camp. Swami Sarveshanandaji, Mitranandaji (Chennai CM) and Br. Girish Chaitanya conducted the camp. The theme of the camp was Life is Jungle! Are you game to survive?
Shri. Venkatesh & Smt. Asha Murthy volunteered to drive the children to the camp site near Austin and they also volunteered at the camp helping the organizers. More than 80 children attended the camp from different chinmaya mission centers across Texas. All the attendees had unique experiences and are looking forward to attend again next summer. Here is the cover page of the camp announcement.
5
. c) Chinmaya Mission Beaumont holds first picnic It gives us great pleasure to inform our community about the first ever Chin- maya Family Picnic with Br. Prabodh Chaitanya. It was on Saturday, July 28th at the Claiborne Park in Vidor, TX. , 15 minutes away from Beaumont/Orange/Port Arthur. It was a bright, sunny and beautiful Saturday morning for us Texans, but some of us were little concerned whether it will be little too hot for our young, little bal vihar children and our visiting Acharya, who enjoys the beautiful Cali- fornia whether around the year. But the spirit of being together, with the na- ture, along with our spiritual master was an unique experience in itself. Of course, as every other picnic, we had lots of (Sattvic) Food, drinks and games all throughout the day. Our day started with the ladies serving all with a glass of nice, cool, orange/pineapple punch and watermelon slices. Once energized, younger children immediately ran towards swings and other ground games, while all the adults and CHYKs enjoyed an intense Indian game of KHO-KHO. Many of us remembered our childhood as we had not played/ran in recent years. Swamiji divided us into two challenging teams of CHYKs v/s Adults and of course the winners were our children. After we all exhausted ourselves physically, now was the time to challenge each other mentally while having an informal Satsang. We had planned more than
6
one game, where we challenged participants with their scriptural and bal vihar learnings. Everybody participated in those puzzle questions and enjoyed them a lot. To our surprise, youngest children were the heroes as their answers were ready by the time the questions were asked. Kudoss to them, their parents and their bal vihar teachers. We concluded the day by offering our prayers to the Lord Almighty for such a unique blessing. Lunch was served as a special menu with Pizza and veggie sandwiches for all. Swamiji was offered special home cooked meal prepared by volunteers. We sincerely thank Br. Prabodhji for taking initiative in making this happen for our community. Those of you who could not attend this event, surely must mark their calendar for our next annual gathering of Chinmaya Family. See you all next time!
Group picture with Br. Prabhodhji at picnic site
OM OM OM
C) STORY OF OUR SHIVA LINGA The famed saint Swami Akhandananda remarked that Every stone formed in Narmada river bed is Shankar and it is believed that the Linga formed in
7
Narmada river does not require prana pratishta as it is already Shankar. River Narmada is considered holier than both Ganga or Yamuna as it is thought to originate from the body of Lord Shiva. It is believed that Mother Ganga makes a pilgrimage every year in the form of a cow to take a bath in Narmada to get rid of the sins that pilgrims leave with Ganges when they take bath in Ganges. The Shiva linga formed in the Narmada river bed is called Bana Linga and is a highly sought linga whenever Shiva Linga pratishta has to be done. We explored various contacts to help us in getting Shiva Linga from Narmada River but it did not come together. Our plan was to take some ones help in Gujarat to procure it and send to Mahabalipurm in Tamil Nadu to be installed on the Linga Yoni (pedestal) that was contracted to a sthapati there. The sthapati mentioned that he can procure it in the market but cannot guarantee its authenticity and advised that we should procure it on our own if we want to be 100% sure. Being from a highly traditional sthapathi family for generations, he is very clear that true Bana Linga cannot be polished or chistilled/cut and should be installed as is into the Yoni. When our research was not going anywhere, we got guidance from Swami Atmavidannada of Anthapur Chinmaya Mission in Andhra Pradesh to contact Swami Deveshananda of Vadodara Chinmaya Mission in Gujarat to help in the matter. Swami Deveshandaji first explored the local contacts in Gujarat and determined that this task is best accomplished in person and travelled to Omkareshwar personally with two other Baroda Chinmaya Mission members and procured the Shiva Linga and brought to Vadodara. The Vadodara Mission members were so impressed by the Linga and the markings on it that they worshipped the Linga in the ashram and then sent it by currier to Chennai. Here is the note and pictures that we received from Swami Deveshanandaji on the travails the team had to go through before they actually located the Linga that we specified: To, Sw. Atmavidanandaji / Sh.Subrahji,
8
Hari Om! Namaskara!!!
With Pujya Gurudevs grace and Pujya Gurujis blessings we became the instrument in get- ting the auspicious Shivalinga for your ashram. We are grateful for that. It was really a great ex- perience. Incidentally it was my first experience.
We started early morning on Monday the 25 th June from Vadodara. We had planned to go via Indore to Omkareshwar as it is the route usually followed. On Mumbai Indore highway we came across a hotel manager who showed a short cut and that saved 3 hours of our journey and reached Bakava village by afternoon .It was indeed Gods grace!!!
I was under the impression that we have to get the shivlinga prepared as per our need so we went to a factory where Shivlingas are made from the stones (extracted) of Narmada. On enquiry I came to know that it takes 10-12 days to make such a shivlinga. But after talking to you i came to know that you wanted a natural one so we went in search of the shivlinga on the banks of Narmada. We had to walk for 5 hrs in the hot sun and then in an ashram we found some shivlin- gas collected and kept.
On the next day after the Jyotirlinga darshan we went to the river in a small boat and searched for 4 hrs and found a very beautiful smoke colored shivlinga but it was 29 inches and hence could not meet our requirements. So we came to the same ashram and selected the shivlin- ga that was of appropriate size. Gadipati Sree Sant Damodardasji blessed Texas Mission devo- tees for the same. Along with this Shivalinga we visited Omkareshwar Jyotirlin- gam,Dhooniwale baba at Khandva,Mahakal jyotirlingam.
It was a great opportunity for me to chant His name and pray constantly for 4 days to find Him.This shivlinga is the best one having natural sacred thread,linings,trishul, chandrama and om.In Vadodara we performed small puja to receive the shivlinga.
I am sending herewith some pictures of the yatra and the shivlinga for you.
Please find enclosed the conveyance expense details .
In HiS Service!!!
Swami Deveshananda Chinmaya Mission Vadodara Here are some pictures of the team involved and the pictures of the Shiva Linga.
9
Figure 1: The team on the road to Omkareshwar to bring Beaumont temple Bana Linga from Narmada River. See Haumanjis picture on the taxi to work with the team !
Figure 2: Many Lingas but none for Beaumont Temple!
10
Figure 3: Let us dive and find our Shiva !
Figure 4: If He wills it is simple! Let us see what He wants!!
11
Figure 5: He did it !!! Sant Damodardasji handing over one of His collected Shiva Lingas to Swami Deveshananda for Beaumont temple.
Figure 6: Baroda Mission members offering prayers to Beaumont temple Shiva Linga in Baroda Mission Center.
OM OM OM D) MARBLE DEITIES REACH MAHABALIPURAM a) Update on Marble Deities order from Jaipur
12
We have reported in previous newsletter that Swami Atmavidanandaji , recommended to us by our acharya, Swami Paramanandaji, took over the marble deity procurement process as we had difficulty in managing details though our old contacts. In this connection, they both went to Jaipur and finalized the contract in June, 2012 and then Swami Atmavidanandaji visited Jaipur again in August to ensure good quality of marble before they started carving the stone. Swamiji again went to Jaipur for about two weeks in the end of September to personally oversee the final details and get all the required measurements for making clothing and jewelry . He also kept us in loop on any special guidance to us for prabhavali installation and the required deity spacing to put on clothes on deities. Our volunteers were in constant touch with him while he was in Jaipur on the final details such as remitting money in a timely manner so that the deities are packaged and released. Here are a couple of pictures of Swamiji with the sthapati and the workers giving finishing touches.
Figure 9: Workers giving finishing touches to Marble deities in Jaipur
b) Who said Gods work is easy? The marble deities were packaged in eight wooden boxes and were loaded into the break van of the train to travel with Swamiji. As planned, they arrived with them to Chennai at 7 AM on Oct 2. The plan was to unload them with a small crane and take them to Mahabalipuram for storage. Our Chinnai Mission devotee Smt. Annapurnaji and her husband Shri Shivramji arranged for unloading crane and arrived to Chennai railway station as planned. It was agreed that the truck will be arranged by the granite deity sthapati from Mahabalipuram. However, the break van seal was not opened promptly by the guard and when opened, they could not unload all the boxes before the train had to be moved to the depot for cleaning. They tried to convince the authorities to hold moving the train for another 30 minutes but could not succeed. Therefore, they had to wait till evening 4 PM when the train returned to the platform. After finally unloading, the stuff was moved to the pavement waiting for truck that the stapathi in Mahabalipuram arranged. Once the truck arrived, it was discovered it was not big enough to carry all eight boxes and another truck had
14
to be hired. In the meanwhile, street cops issued them ticket for inappropriate use of public property and insisted that they move the boxes immediately creating anxiety. They had to finally rush loading them into the truck when the second truck finally arrived. Both the trucks followed Annapurnajis car to Mahabalipuram, and made to Mahabalipuram at 9 PM. Since the boxes underwent a lot of handling during the day, they were very concerned if the marble deities were safe. Therefore, they managed to get help at that time to open the boxes under a tube light in the yard and were relieved to note that the deities are in good condition. They noticed that the deities were hung in the boxes using ropes and some minimum packaging that held up reasonably well despite the rough handling in unloading and loading during the day. Since the boxes were too big and heavy, they had to cover them up in the boxes once again, wrap them in plastic to prevent rain water exposure and reached Chennai at 12AM. Swamiji left the next day at 11 AM, reaching Ananthapur at 11 PM to start his yangna in Annanthpur on the next day! c) Mission Accomplished not really, how about termites? The boxes had to be left outside as they are too big and could not be easily moved inside. The packaging company that packs them for international ship- ment also needed them outside for maneuverability. They agreed to move them inside once the packaging is completed. However, the packaging company re- quested Annapurnaji to come back to Mahabalipuram so that they can open in front of her before taking over the position. Annapurnaji drove back to Mahabalipuram within a week to inspect them and hand them over to the packaging company. When they opened the boxed, they found two of the eight boxes had termite intrusion and could get damaged if the rain water seeps. Annapurnaji contacted us immediately and requested funds transfer to initiate the work so that the deities will be moved into treated boxes and moved into the warehouse. OM OM OM
15
E) OUR TEMPLE MARBLE DEITIES In this issue, we will only cover the marble deities as the granite deities are still receiving finishing touches and. The granite deities will be covered in the next issue. Here are pictures of the marble deities that are now in Mahabalipuram.
Figure 10: Radha Krishna in Chinmaya Shripati Temple. Lord Krishna is 4 ft tall . Figure 11: Close-up of Lord Krishna
16
Figure 12: Durgaji in Chinmaya Shripati temple. The statue is 4.5 ft tall.
Figure 13: Chinmaya Shripati temple Durgaji in close-up
17
Figure 14: Lord Shiva as Dakshinamoorty (guru form) in our temple. Note the four rishis on the pitham receiving the teaching and the vata tree in the background. The total height is 5 ft 3
Figure 15: Close-up of lord Dakshinamurthy. Note the Chinmudra gesture of his open right, front hand.
18
Figure 16: Hanumanji of Ram Parivar in our temple. Height is 23.5 Inches.
Figure 17: Close-up of Hanumanji our temple
19
Figure 18: Ramparivar in our temple. Shri Rams height is 4 ft.
The granite deities are now in final stages of completion and the details on those deities will be presented in the next newsletter. OM OM OM F) SHRIPATI TEMPLE PROJECT UPDATE a) Temple general features in brief Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Appendix A show the finalized master plan, floor plan, and couple of important elevations from outside and the interior altar elevation. Please note some of the highlights that are not necessarily clear at first glance are noted on each of these figures to help the reader. Figures 5 to 8 show de- tails of other temple features that we are hoping to be able to finance. Community members who are interested in reviewing a full set of drawings may contact Subrah Cheruvu or Mahesh Makecha. We will be happy to sit with you
20
and explain the details. The 4th Q 2011 Chinmaya Shripati News-letter has de- tails of the key features included in the design. b) Pouring concrete We have reported in the last newsletter that the construction area was raised and prepared for pouring concrete but the work was held up due to rains and scheduling difficulties as dry weather was needed continuously for a few days. Prior to pouring concrete, we had inspection by architect. It all came together on August 4, 2012 when the crew poured concrete. The metal framing company came with anchor bolts and plates and installed them at proper locations on 8/3/2012. Our volunteers waited on site and ensured the pit for installing the Shiva Linga is properly located and boxed before pouring the concrete. Here a few pictures taken of the site on the day concrete is poured and before the building erection started.
Figure 19: Deity Area before pouring concrete
21
Figure 20:Workers spreading concrete as it is poured
Figure 21: Construction area after concrete pouring is completed
Figure 22: Deity area after pouring concrete
22
Figure 23: Shiva Linga pit sloped to drain water into the drain in the North-East c) Building erection progress Here are a few pictures showing the progress of the building erection that start- ed in the middle of August.
Figure 24: Yagna hall framing first completed
23
Figure 25: Temple framing on right side of the picture after multi-purpose hall framing on left
Figure 26: Framing of the connecting wing between the left and right sections
Figure 27: Metal frame work about mostly complete
24
d) Status of Gopuram design and order We had initially approved the below two step gopuram design with gold color kalasas on four sides. The fabricator contacted us and indicated that we can se- cure a three step design that is more attractive at an extra cost of $1600. Appar- ently, a Hindu temple retrofitted the third step upon suggestion by a sant.
Figure 28: Our original two step gopurm with gold color kalasas Upon a close review, we decided to spend extra funds and procure the three step design as it will be a permanent fixture on the temple foyer. The extra step adds more ornamentation and gives more balanced overall appearance. We also modified the Kalasa design to have copper color Kalasha base at the bottom with golden color tip for contrast. Figure 30 below shows the design that is now approved.
25
Figure 29: New design approved at $1600 extra cost Upon review and revision of the gopuram supports by our architect, the vendor modified the supports and submitted them for final design to meet the wind loading rating of 120 mph required by the City of Beaumont. We are also sub- mitting the final design to a windstorm inspector for his approval.
e) Utsava Vigrahas, ornaments and Prabhavali order from India Utsava vigrahas are now molded by the metal sculpting company and are being polished before giving the finishing touches. We expect that they will be ready by the end of this month. We have just ordered the granite deity ornaments with the same metal compa- ny. The ornaments are made into the correct shape by first making wax molds around the granite deities to capture the contours perfectly. The wax shapes are then made into molds. The mold are now prepared and the liquid metal pouring work is starting soon. We expect this work to complete in December.
26
The prabhavali dimensions could not be decided until all the deities are first carved and the widest dimensions are taken. We have just received the re- quired dimensions and expect to place the prabhavali order soon. Our plan is to ship all the supplies from India in one container sometime in De- cember so that they will be here in February. OM OM OM G) FUNDING STATUS We are happy to report that so far we have pledges from a total of about 100 families ranging from $1000 to $108,000. The total pledged so far is about $1,040,000 of which approximately $830,000 is collected. These funds are now distributed between our college street property, south major street land, con- struction and reserves that we have in the banks. We have no outstanding debts as we paid off all services that we contracted to date. The total project cost is now around 1,300,000 including the cost increases that were published in 2Q 2012 newsletter. Therefore, we are about $260,000 short and cannot complete 15200 sq. ft. facility in one phase. In view of this, we will not finish the multipurpose hall during the first phase but will erect the building and install the windows, doors and, if the financing permits, complete electrical wiring and basic lighting so that it can be used for miscellaneous activities. a) Deity sponsorship status The attached Table 2 shows the list of sponsorship options where you can help us. Unless the following gaps are closed, the following Deities cannot be in- stalled at this time and we can only place utsava vigrahas instead, until full fund- ing is committed. However, these pledges can be made payable in three years to help MOTHER DURGA - $2,900 LORD KARTIKEYA - $20,000 RAM PARIVAR - $40,000
27
We also need sponsors to cover costs of gopuram, BV rooms, dhwaja sthambha yagna hall, furnishings for acharya quarters, fencing and gate for the property, puja supplies, etc. Some of these will not be installed or completed in some cases if we do not have the required funding. Sponsorships to the Deities, BV rooms and yangna hall will greatly help us to close the funding gaps to complete the project as these funds go to the project financing while the other sponsorships go to pay for the corresponding items such as gopurams, dhwaja sthambha, fencing, audio system, etc. Figures 5 to 8 show details of some temple features that we are hoping to finance as soon as possible to make the temple truly traditional. OM OM OM H) UP COMING EVENTS Swami Sarveshanandajis Yagna during Nov. 3 to Nov. 11 We have Jnana yanga by Swami Sarveshannadaji in our community starting on Nov. 5and ending on Nov. 11. The talks include evening pravachans (7 to 8:30 PM) on Bhagavat Gita C.8. The morning talks (6:30 to 7:30 AM) start on 11/6 on Purusha Sukta. Families interested in inviting Swamiji for Satsang and Bhiksha may contact Rashmi Dhamankar or Asha Murthy. We have a special Yuva Kendra program being arranged at Lamar University. As usual, there will be satsangs with Balvihar children. Please contact Raj Dhamankar or Dr. Venkatesh Murthy for further details.
28
TABLE 1: SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS PLEDGES MAY BE MADE IN TWO/THREE YEAR TERM: 1) NEED TO CLOSE FOLLOWING GAPS TO REACH THE TARGET OF 75,000 FOR FOLLOWING DEITIES AND INSTALL THEM. MOTHER DURGA - $3,000 LORD KARTIKEYA - $20,000 RAM PARIVAR - $41,000 NOTE: Rest of the Deities meet sponsorship requirements for installation. If desired, devotees can still donate to Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Mother Durga, Lord Balaji, Moth- er Lakshmi, Lord Dattatreya and Lord Radha Krishna.
2) Balavihar class room can be sponsored in name of family for a sum of $35,000. We have three Balavihar room sponsorships open.
3) Yagna hall can be sponsored in the name of family for a sum of $150,000 by one, two or three families.
4) MAIN GOPURAM - $28,100
5) DHWAJA STHAMBHA - $15,000
6) INTERIOR GOPURAMS: DEITY COST STATUS Lord Balaji 6500 Mother Lakshmi 5000 Lord Ganesha 5000 Lord Dattatreya 3500 Sponsored Sri Radha Krishna 3500 Sri Ram Parivar 3500 Mother Durga 3500 Lord Kartikeya 3500 Lord Shiva 3500
29
Below costs are our best estimates at this time: 7) TEMPLE MISCELLANIOUS PUJA SUPPLIES FROM INDIA $8000 8) TEMPLE FENCING AND MAIN GATE $30,000 9) ACHARYA QUARTER FURNITURE, COMPUTER, CARPETS, KITCHENWARE $9000 10) LAND SCAPING $12000 11) PORTABLE AUDIO AND VISUAL SYSTEM $5000 12) FURNITURE IN TEMPLE FOR SEATING OF ELDERS $6000 13) INTERCOM $10,000 14) CAR FOR ACHARYA DONATION IN KIND ACCEPTED 15) LIFE SIZE FRAMED PICTURES OF TAPOVANJI, GURUDEV, GURUJI. $ 3000 16) CHANDELIERS IN THE TEMPLE HALL 12000 17) OFFICE AND LIBRARY FURNITURE $5000 18) TEMPLE KITCHEN AND YAGNA HALL KITCHEN APPLIANCES $5000
Note: This is an active list of sponsorship items which is periodically updated
30
APPENDIX A
31
FIGURE 1: MASTER PLAN.
Note: Main entrance is from Major drive with drive-way leading to both sides of the building. The temple parking lot is on the left and class room and hall parking is on right.
32
FIGURE 2: FLOOR PLAN
Note: The Major drive entrance is from the right side of the page which is East. The main temple entrance faces east and provision for Dhawja stambha is made. The altar is on the west side of the temple hall with all Deities facing east. A concrete walk-way connects both buildings and parking lots. Rest rooms are in the connecting lobby.
33
FIGURE 3: ELEVATION DRAWINGS
The temple building is on the left while the class rooms, priest quarters and the multi- purpose hall are on the right. The rest rooms and some of the class rooms are in the connecting wing as shown in Figure 2.
Elevation looking from south Major Drive with gopuram on temple building on the left.
Elevation looking from the parking lot on the south side of temple. Note that the roof will look flat due to parapet.
34
FIGURE 4: INTERIOR ALTAR ELEVATION
Nine Deities can be installed. These are Lord Balaji in the center and four Deities Lord Ganesha, Mother Durga, Lrod Shiva and Lord Kartikeya on left side and four Deities Mother Lakshmi, Lord Dattatreya, Sri Radha Krishna and Ram Parivar on the right.
35
FIGURE 5 :TEMPLE INSIDE GOPURAMS We also got an excellent price for the interior gopurams as the designs we se- lected are recently installed at the Woodland temple in Houston and also at a temple in Ohio. Therefore, we do not have to pay for mold design and fabrica- tion. The arrangement of the interior gopurams are shown below:
They will all be gold in color to maintain the flow and color combination. Here is the summary of the costs of gopurams by Deity and any family willing to sponsor them for one or more Deities may come forward. DEITY COST STATUS Lord Balaji 6500 Mother Lakshmi 5000 Lord Ganesha 5000 Lord Dattatreya 3500 Sponsored Sri Radha Krishna 3500 Sri Ram Parivar 3500 Mother Durga 3500 Lord Kartikeya 3500 Lord Shiva 3500
36
FIGURE 6: RAJA GOPURAM ABOVE THE FOYER
Height = 18 ft above foyer. Design for support above the foyer completed. Installation timing is subject to the funding situation. Expected cost is about $29,000 with installation.
37
FIGURE 7: Dhawaja Sthambha
Total height is 26 feet with five feet will be under ground. Core is made of Barma teak wood and covered with a brass coating with several layers of lacquer. In our case, if sponsored, it will be installed outside directly across Lord Balaji.
38
FIGURE 8: Dhwaja Sthambha middle section and the Ornamental Base
The base will be ornamented with a carving of Lord Balaji in front, Sankha, Chakra on sides and Garuda in the back.