PRESS RELEASE: Temple Inauguration at Poombukar, TamilNadu

(For Immediate Release)

Dated: 18th February 2007

On the morning of Sunday 26th December 2004, giant Tsunamis unleashed by a massive undersea earthquake in distant Sumatra lashed coastal areas across South and East Asia causing death and destruction on a massive scale. Millions of people were affected. Whole communities were destroyed with several thousands killed and left homeless without adequate food, water and shelter.

Sewa International’s volunteer rescue teams swung into action and provided much needed rescue and relief services to the victims by supplying them with food, temporary shelter, clean water, medication and survival kits. Our Aid workers who scrambled to deliver life saving supplies, equipment and assistance reported that they faced a challenge like never before.

Sanjay Jagatia, Public Relations Coordinator for Sewa International said “as well as providing initial relief, Sewa International took up the challenge to provide both short and long term rehabilitation in two of the worst affected countries - Sri Lanka and India. As part of our rehabilitation work Sewa International along with its partner organisations undertook massive rehabilitation activities in the tsunami-hit areas of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Batticoloa District of Sri Lanka and has built houses, community centres, vocational training centres, schools and orphanages. All of these projects were completed from generous donations that we collected in the UK”.

As part of Tsunami rehabilitation project, Sewa International took up the task of rebuilding and reconstructing the “Shri Rethinapoorneswari Amman Temple”, in Poombukar at the Sangama Sthan of Kauveri and Ganga Sagar (Bay of Bengal). Prior to the disaster, this Temple was the only Hindu Temple in the area and was totally destroyed by the Tsunami.

The rebuilding of this Temple was possible due to the combined fund raising efforts and donations received from: Ram Mandir/Gheewala Lohana Centre Leicester, Shree Sanatan Mandir & Community Centre Leicester, Hindu Temple & Community Centre Leicester and Hindu Religious & Cultural Society/Geeta Bhavan Temple Leicester.

On 9th of February 2007, the Maha Kumbhabhisheka or Maha Samprokshanam (inauguration) Ceremony took place, which was presided over by the guest of honour-Shri Thenkasi Subramaniyan Jawahar (Nagapattinam District Collector). Sewa International volunteers were also present at the ceremony.

Apart from the main Temple, a separate mandapam for Shree Ganesha and Shree Subramaniyan have also been installed in the premises. In addition, a new 36 feet Rajagopuram and compound wall with an accommodation room for the caretaker has been constructed which gives a beautiful look to the Temple and is visible from  far away  due to the high Rajagopuram.

Over 20,000 people attended the inauguration ceremony from all the nearby villages. The Maha Kumbha Abhishekha Puja of the Temple began on the 6th of February 2007, and was completed at 9.00am on the 9th of February 2007 and simultaneously 48 days of continuous Puja for Maha Mandala Abhishekha Purti began. The Head of villages that had gathered for the occasion thanked Sewa International for taking up the task of reconstruction of the famous Temple at Poombukar. The inauguration ceremony concluded by distribution of Prasad, followed by lunch to everyone who attended the ceremony.

Sanjay Jagatia concluded that "the Hindu community of Tamil Nadu are very grateful for the help and support that the four religious institutions in Leicester has given to make their dreams of having the Temple rebuilt a reality, as this will ensure that they can continue to worship and propagate Hindu Dharma to their children and families for many years to come".

To view video of the opening ceremony please see link below:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5349133581761484838&q=sewainternational

For further information about Sewa International's appeals, campaigns and activities please visit our Website: www.sewainternational.com

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Notes:

* Sewa International UK is a service project of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK), which is a Registered Charity in the UK, Registration No: 267309. Sewa International UK is an organization entirely run by dedicated volunteers, heralding from all sections of the community, working together to Serve to Humanity. The principle role of Sewa International is:

- To relieve poverty, disease and to help the sick, needy, the weak and those affected by natural calamities, disasters, war and other suffering.

- To help in the education and training of the poor, sick, disabled and underprivileged students and assist them financially.

* Please find jpg photographs of the Temple opening ceremony attached;

* For further details please contact: Sanjay Jagatia (Public Relations Coordinator) Mobile Tel- 0780 505 4776 or Office Tel- 0116 261 0303.

Sewa International UK, 46-48 Loughborough Road, Leicester, LE4 5LD, UK