Dundee Hindu Temple pays tribute to esteemed Guru
About 40 years ago, when Guru Umeshvaran Nagiah came to Dundee, the officials of the Dundee Hindu Temple did not bind him with any formalities or legalities.
This year’s Navarathri marked a special year in the history of the Dundee Hindu Temple, as it coincided with the Asthapana prayer and the unveiling of the newly-installed Durga Murthi.
When special events take place, we are reminded of those who have passed on. The year gone by has been a sad and emotional one for the Dundee Hindu Temple, as we have lost many key role players. Many families in Dundee have lost loved ones and on behalf of the Dundee Hindu Temple, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families. May Mother Durga give them strength to bear their losses and may the souls of the departed attain the highest moksha.
In 2018, our Guru, together with members of the Durga Murthi Committee, had a discussion with our late chairman, Peru Kali, regarding the erection of a larger-than-life murthi of Mother Durga. Based on this discussion, the Durga Murthi Committee (under the guidance of Guru) set in motion the planning of this project.
Four years later, the phenomenal project reached its completion and on Sunday, October 9, with all rites and rituals, the murthi of Mother Durga was unveiled in all her glory. The entire project took a lot of hard work, planning and fund-raising, but the Durga Murthi Committee (together with Guru) achieved what they set out to do and successfully completed this monumental project.
About 40 years ago, when Guru Umeshvaran Nagiah came to Dundee, the officials of the Dundee Hindu Temple did not bind him with any formalities or legalities. His status was and is that of a freelance priest because Guru took on the responsibility of serving the communities of Dundee and surrounding areas.
Guru’s motto is, “There are no north and south Indians; we are all one huge family that prays together.” Hopefully this legacy passed down by Guru will be carried on in the future.
The beautiful murthi of Mother Durga is testimony to what phenomenal things can be achieved when a community comes together as one.
Our community has been enriched spiritually, more than ever before, and the credit for this goes to Guru Umeshvaran Nagiah, whose vision and passion was to unite a community in the name of God.
He has done that beautifully.
