Hindu Temple in South Africa installing 6-meter tall Lord Siva statue

Siva Subramanian Temple in Newcastle (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) is reportedly aiming to install six-meter tall murti of Lord Siva.

Work on this project is reportedly starting this month, with estimated cost of about R200 000. Funds are being raised. This Hindu temple welcomes all, Hindus or non-Hindus, to visit and attend its services and events.

Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, commended efforts of temple leaders and area community towards realizing this majestic Lord Siva murti.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this temple would help in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.

Besides worship services, this Siva Subramanian Temple also organizes various Hindu festivals throughout the year; including Navaratri, Janmashtami, etc. In February, it celebrated Thaipusam Kavadi festival to honor and pray to Lord Muruga. Temple leaders include Bala Govender, Pravesh Sewlal, etc.

In Hinduism, Lord Shiva, along with Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, forms the great triad of Hindu deities. Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents.

Newcastle, established in 1864, along the Ncandu River and at the foothills of Drakensberg Mountains, is one of South Africa’s main industrial centers. Prominent people associated with it include writer H. Rider Haggard and rugby union player Bakkies Botha. Makhosini Nkosi is the Mayor.