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existed, the Sthapathi designed the sanctums in the style of atmaartha griham (a "private" shrine in one's own home). He also designed a beautiful entrance gate (Maha Dvaaram). The impressive designs of the Sthapathi were brought to life by six highly skilled sculptors (shilpis) who were well trained in the traditional temple arts of India. They spent almost a year in the Lansing area completing the highly detailed and painstaking art work on the garbha-grihas. With the installation of three shikharas atop the Sanctum area in November 1998, this phase of construction was completed.
In June 1998, the Maha Prana Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony to transform the murtis into deities, endowed with divine power, was celebrated as a most auspicious and festive, once-in-a-lifetime event. The Kumbhabhishekam ceremony (the formal dedication of the Shikharas) in June 1999 was an equally joyful and satisfying event.
Jain Murtis at the Temple (2000)
In conformity with its policy of supporting compatible Bharatiya faiths that can function harmoniously under its constitution, the Temple welcomed the establishment of a Jain sanctum as early as 1997. In the second half of 1998, architect Muthiah Sthapathi designed a sanctum for the Jain murtis, incorporating motifs taken from the Jain temple in Mount Abu, Rajasthan. The Sthapathi's team of assistants completed the sanctum in early 1999. In December 1999, a Svetambar murti of Bhagavan Mahavir (37" high, made of marble) and a Digambar murti of Bhagavan Parsvanath (9" high, made of ashtadhatu) arrived from India. Since then, Jain devotees have started regular worship services at the Temple. The Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony for the murtis will be celebrated in a grand manner during May 26-29, 2000.
Goals for the Future
The Bharatiya Temple of Lansing is a monument to the faith, dedication, and hard work of the devotees in our community. The primary goal of the Temple continues to be to provide a place of worship for the devotees. The Temple is also striving to increase religious and spiritual awareness of interested citizens in the Greater Lansing area and surrounding communities, provide religious and community services, and be debt-free by December 2001.
The website www.nscl.msu.edu/~raman/btl/ gives details about various aspects of the Bharatiya Temple of Lansing.
Dr. N. Anantaraman is the Temple librarian and historian.
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