The Sri Durgadevi Devasthanam was established to maintain the Hindu religion and culture in Sydney. The main objectives of the Devasthanam are to worship Goddess Durga, to promote Hinduism and to help disadvantaged people. The organisation aims to impart religious, educational and cultural values of Hinduism to its community and future generations.
History of the temple
When the temple first started, they performed Pooja in Homebush High School on a weekly basis, every Friday. The Sri Durgadevi Devasthanam Sydney Inc, was registered as a Charity Organisation.
In 2005, the Shri Durgadevi Devasthanam paid a deposit of $2.05 million to secure the land of one acre at 21 Rose Crescent, Regents Park. The Foundation Ceremony was performed in August 2006. Following the construction of the Temporary Prayer Hall, in late 2006, the three deities were moved to the Temple land, with a momentous inauguration ceremony.
The second stage of construction commenced in August 2009 which was building a Wedding Hall/Auditorium and an Educational Hall. The Auditorium cost came up to $1.85 million and the hall has a height elevation of 6 metres. It was completed in 2010 and it stands as the first Hindu community hall within a Temple Complex in Australia.
Facilities
Wedding Hall
The Sydney Durga Temple Wedding Hall is an 800 seating capacity auditorium that hosts cultural performances, weddings, functions, conferences, musical and dance performances, celebrations and the temple's annual fundraising dinner. The Devasthanam constructed the Auditorium having spent more than a million dollars on the building. The auditorium provides projectors, chairs and tables, table swags, plates, lighting, backdrops and more. The temple provides facilities such as a Men's and Women's restrooms, two rooms located at the sides of the stage, a small kitchenette, a sound room and two big rooms often used as dressing rooms for the bride. Bookings, packages and deals can be made by calling the temple. This is the first Hindu community hall to be within a Temple Complex in Australia
Educational hall
Adjacent to the Durga Auditorium is a smaller Educational Hall. It can fit 400 people in a theatre style that can & has been used for functions, dinners, weddings, celebrations and more. It uses the same facilities as the Wedding Hall and similarly bookings, packages and deals can be made by calling the temple.
Festivals and events
Annual festival (Maasi Magam Theertha Utsavam)
The Sydney Durga Temple's biggest festival is its annual festival. Over a period of 12 days, devotees come to the temple to receive blessings from Goddess Durga and witness special Poojas, Bajans and cultural programs. Everyday during the 12 days, a deity/deities are carried around the temple on a decorated Pallakku with the music accompaniment of a Thavil and Nadaswaram. This is by far the temple's most popular event.
Navarathri
Navarathri is a Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the divine goddess Durga during the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin (which typically falls in the months of September and October). Being a festival for its main deity, the Sydney Durga Temple conducts special poojas and hosts classical performances at the temple itself.
Address: 21 & 23 Rose Cres, Regents Park NSW 2144, Australia
Phone: +61 2 9644 6682
