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Construction Commences for Chino Hills Mandir as BAPS Celebrates with Mahayagna and Community Blood Drive.
September 16, 2006
CHINO HILLS, CA: Bulldozers and grading machinery surround the 20-acre Chino Hills Mandir site as devotees gather to celebrate the start of construction for the mandir and cultural complex on Saturday, September 16th from 4:30pm to 8:00pm. BAPS held a grand Bhumidaan Mahayagna at the site of the new mandir. Along with the festivities, BAPS also hosted a blood drive on the mandir site in conjunction with the Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, in which 95 participants collectively donated 80 pints of blood.
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The atmosphere was jubilant and festive amidst the presence of Pujya Kothari Swami, a senior saint of BAPS. The magnificent vedic yagna was conducted by Shatdarshan Acharya Shrutiprakash Swami who recited the sacred verses in sanskrit. Yajmans (participating sponsors) were seated around traditional yagna kunds and simultaneously chanted vedic verses throughout the ceremony.
The stage of the yagna hall was decorated with flowers and a grand fire pit, kund, in which saints conducted the ceremony. 76 kunds were systematically placed upon the ground below the stage where sponsors, Yajmans, performed the yagna. The entire site was vibrantly decorated with traditional Indian decor. The chanting of sanskrit verses and the flames of the Kunds created an ambiance as if one was participating in a yagna in India.
The Bhumidaan Mahayagna is one of the oldest rituals in Hindu Dharma through which devotees pay homage to deities at the site of the temple. The significance of Bhumidaan is an offering for the land on which the temple, Mandir, will be constructed. Yagna, meaning 'to give or offer', encompasses an act of offering made into a sacrificial fire. The essence of yagna is to maintain a feeling of surrender and dedication toward God.
This Mahayagna marked a major milestone for the project since the city has now granted the permits, signed official contracts, and commenced grading for construction of the Mandir and Cultural Center. The first day of grading began on Tuesday, September 5th as bulldozer trucks and grading equipment leveled the 20-acre plot of land off Monte Vista Ave. and Fairfield Ranch Road.
The yagna provided an opportunity to bridge the generation gap between parents and children as Manisha Patel, a parent from Chino Hills stated, " this yagna does not only display religious significance but also perpetuates cultural values to the younger generation. I am happy to see my children experience this traditional Hindu ritual".
Jitendra Dave, President of the Chino Hills Indian-American Association, later expressed, "I am elated to see that construction for the mandir and complex has successfully began. This mandir will not only unify the Indian-American community, but will also raise an awareness of Hinduism within the local community."
The evening concluded with the blessings of Pujya Kothari Swami, who spoke of the importance of performing the yagna and said, " This yagna displays our commitment to the project despite obstacles that may have come in the past. Through the blessings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Pramukh Swami Maharaj, this project will be completed with the strength and commitment of the devotees present on this holy occasion." The event concluded with Mahaprasad for all.
Another highlight of this event was the blood drive. Held in Conjunction with the Blood Banks of the San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, the blood drive served as an opportunity for residents of the nearby area to give back to their community and assist those in need of blood. An outstanding 95 participants registered for the drive and 80 pints of blood in total were collected. Neha Patel, a Chino Hills Resident, said "I feel that I have fulfilled my duty as a resident of this community by giving in this manner. Even though this is a small act, I feel as though I have saved a life." Donors ranged from teenagers to the elderly, all who were eager to participate in this humanitarian effort.
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