Mukti Gupteshwar Mandir also known as minto Hindu Temple in Nepalese community in Australia is one of the popular but few hindu temples in Sydney .Mukti-Gupteshwar Mandir is the first and so far the only man-made cave mandir dedicated to the Lord Shiva, the 13th Jyotirlingam, Mukti-Gupteshwar Mahadev.
Along with the Mahadev, there are scale model replicas of 12 other Jyotirlinga, 108 human made lingas represent the Rudra names of the Lord Shiva and 1008 fannings Lord Shiva representing his Sahastra namas. Each figuring represents a small mandir of Lord Shiva and therefore there are total of 1128 small mandirs inside the Mukti-Gupteshwar mandir which is very unque to its kind.
Architect’s impression of the Mandir complex before construction
In the Sanctum there is a 10 metre deep ‘vault’ which comprises 2 million handwritten notes each saying ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ from devotees around the world. There is water from 81 rivers including major rivers from Australia and from five oceans, and eight precious metals. Good wishes from holy men and other dignitaries around the world have also been placed in the ‘vault’.
Each morning a Brahmin priest conducts the ritual sustenance of the 13th Jyotirlingam, 12 replicas of other Jyotirlinga, 108 Rudra Shivas and 1008 Sahastra nama Lord Shivas.
There are three other mandirs besides the Mahadev’s mandir. These are the Matha Mandir, Ramparivar Mandir and Lord Ganesh Mandir.
Some Facts About The Construction of the Mandir
• Construction began in September 1997.
• The 13th Jyotirlinga was consecrated on the day of Mahashivratri on 14 February 1999.
• Approximately 1450 square metres of floor area is built underground. The only structures above ground are the amenities building and Lord Ganesh’s mandir which is built in the middle of the Mandir ‘sarovar’ (dam).
• 65,000 cubic metres of earth was moved to build the subterranean structures.
• Total concrete used: (a) High-strength concrete (32 Mpa) 860 cubic metres, and (b) Normal concrete (20 Mpa) 380 cubic metres.
• Ten precast concrete elliptical arches were laid for the main hall of Lord Shiva each weighing 18 tons. A 130 ton capacity crane was required to erect the arches and the operation took nearly 10 hours.
• 230 tons of reinforcing steel was used. The total length of the accessway and driveway is 350 metres.
• When full, the dam holds 4.5 million litres of water. The dam is 4.0 metres deep at its centre.
• The dam required approximately 30,000 cubic metres of earth to build its embankment. The maximum height of the embankment is 9.0 metres from natural ground.
• 4500 trees and shrubs have been planted throughout to beautify the site.
• Total cost of the project to date is approximately $AUD 5.0 million.
How To Get To The Mandir
The Mandir is at 203 Eagleview Road, NSW, 2566. From the road, you will see a long red brick fence capped by green wrought iron fencing. As the temple is underground, you won’t see a conventional temple structure from the road.
When approaching uphill along Ben Lomond Road away from Minto railway station, turn right at the roundabout onto Eagleview Road. The Mandir is not on the corner of Ben Lomond Road and Eagleview Road but is the next building from the corner. This can be confusing because the building on the corner is called the “Shri Siva Mandir”. When you see this sign, keep going! The Mukti-Gupteshwar Mandir is the next site.
Alternatively, you can go to www.street-directory.com.au for a detailed map. Search for 203 Eagleview Road, Minto, NSW, 2566.
If you come by public transport, then during daylight you can get off the train at Minto Railway Station (on the Minto Road side) and get a taxi. The cabfare is about $AUD 10 and the journey takes about 10 minutes. If you come by train before sunrise or after sunset, then it’s best to continue on the train to Cambelltown Railway Station and get a taxi from there. The fare is about $AUD 15 and the journey takes 15-20 minutes.
During a large function, when coming by public transport, you can usually arrange for someone already at the Mandir to collect you from Minto Railway Station.
Regular activities held at the Mandir:
• Vishnu Sahastranam and Hanuman Chalisa Chanting (Alternative Saturdays at 10am, We are looking for your participation.)
• Every Saturday evening, Yoga and Meditation Classes 5pm – 6:30pm.
• Every Monday evening starting 18th January 2010 – AUM chanting. meditation and pranayaam. Come out from old habits and be happy. Live longer life. Time: 7:30pm.
• Dear Parents, give true human nature knowledge to your children from Gurukul School. Your children can learn all kinds of morales. Enrollment Day: Sunday 24th January, 2010. Time: 5pm to 7pm every fortnight (every two weeks).
Contact
Mukti-Gupteshwar Mandir:
Address 203 Eagleview Road
Minto, NSW, 2566
Australia
Phone 61 (02) 9820 3751
61 (02) 9824 7886
Fax 61 (02) 9820 3942
Email info@muktigupteshwar.org
Web: http://www.muktigupteshwar.org/index.asp
Tags: australia, hindu, minto, minto hindu temple, Mukti gupteshowar mandir, sydney, temple
January 30th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
The place looks simple divine. It must be quite peaceful to be in such a place.