The temple of God, who is beyond the time and space, has the vivid manifestation in the human body. In the context of architecture, as legs to the body, the temple has steps leading into doors; The human life is enshrined in the body of five sheaths – physical, respirational, mental, intellectual and the blissful – so are the five surrounding boundaries to the temple symbolising the space (four directions and sky), five primordial energies and five subtle instruments of knowledge.

Like the head held high, the Gopuram (tower) raises above the ground. It is adorned with innumerable sculptures and art, of varied sizes and colours, similar to active mind-heart filled with diverse desires, thoughts and memories. In the midst of these figures, the tower has interlude of void spaces only to illustrate that amid the jittery of thoughts, there is bliss within our mind-heart for the divine realisation. The bells that ring are to the ears that hear the primordial sound; the steps we skip as we enter into the temple denote the distractions we need to avoid in the pursuit of pious living. Inside there is lamp and light is at the tip of it’ s oil soaked thread – so is the illuminating intellect at the focused mind.

In front of the main entrance, there is a column with its base firmly rounded on the ground; pointing upwards, the column is decorated with flags and bells, and entwined with a holy cord – as if it identifies with the spinal column, sprouting from the base of the body, erecting the back, connecting to the brain and weaving infinite neural connections along its way. The holy cord indicates the main neural connections (Nadis) that carry the yogic energy – Kundalini. It is pregnant with the latent power on the realisation of which we conquer the boundaries of time and space. After prostrating in front of the column, without any burden of vain ego, anger and sin, we enter into the inner abode to witness the bliss.

At the doors of the Sanctum, where the true wisdom is revealed, are the two guarding angels, poised to grant entrance only to the deserving, similar to the pair of bulging lungs, filtering and protecting the life breath. Finally, the heart of the temple is the place where the omnipresent God is personified. This cannot be explained in mere words but only to be experienced with the dawn of realization that He is inside our hearts. Such is the light eternal who we adore as Bhagawan, Ancient, divine Father, divine Mother, Lord Parameswaran, Omnipotent Ganapathy, Kandhan, Vishnu and in other infinite forms and names. That is in our heart as the Aanma. It is there, within there, as everything; It is there and everywhere. In all deeds and thoughts, in all noble ways, we realize this bliss; by such resolute focus, we hold the spark of God within us and discharge our divine duty. Only to illustrate this eternal truth, temples are raised.

With love, the consecration or the holy bath we perform to the temple, is in essence the holy cleansing we do to ourselves; – Renunciation of petty thoughts, selfish desires and material motives – love and compassion to others – righteousness in our worldly and spiritual duties – commitment to truth – tolerance with acceptance – higher ideals of life that is devoid of violence and steadfast engagement to righteousness : by adhering to these principles and their practise, all our mind-hearts unite and we do the performance of the holy consecration to the temple and God therein.

O Kandha, Kumara, Karthikeya! With the consort of sylvan Valli and celestial Deivannai, in the beautiful city of London, which is garlanded by the fleeting Thames river, at the heart of East Ham town, is the temple that is Your divine abode. Deem this as Your eternal abode and please be seated to bless. With the beatific Peacock at Your feet, holding the banner of rooster, adoring wreath of beads and flowers and the holy Spear, with the consort of sylvan Valli and the celestial Deivannai, You are standing Muruga! O the Puritan! By worshipping Your golden feet, we are blessed; By Your grace we perform the holy consecration for the peace and welfare in the world. In this love, all shall prosper! To give this boon, Muruga, please come as my teacher!

Surrender to You, Saravanabava, son of Sri Shankari!
Surrender, Surrender to You, the divine teacher to Lord Siva!
Surrender, Surrender to You, London Sri Muruga.