Three Arizona Shikharas

Title

Three Arizona Shikharas

Artist

Judy Kennedy

Medium

Photograph - Digital Art Photography

Description

A shikhara is a spire, tower or superstructure above Hindu temples or sanctuaries most often seen in India. But these are in Arizona! Where you say? Not far from where I live actually. Shikhara is a sanskrit word meaning “mountain peak,” and while these were not made by Mother Nature, they were constructed and carved by the Hindu devotees to Lord Ganesh and other important deities who reign over this spiritual tradition.

The Maha Ganapati Temple of Arizona rises ups out of the Sonoran Desert agricultural fields near the town of Maricopa, about 45 miles south of Phoenix. At first sight, it is very strange because it is completely out of the ordinary for the area, but it is also very beautiful, decorated with such intricate fine detail that it blows the mind. Most folks who live in the area probably had no idea what it was at first. The construction of the temple began in 1999 and is still not completely finished, as can be seen, by the scaffolding still surrounding some sides. The sculpting on the shikharas and walls is done by hand in traditional Indian fashion. While parts of the building are still under construction, services have been underway for some time. This mainstream primarily agamic temple is constructed for all denominations and sects of Hinduism, and Hindus travel to services and seasonal celebrations from all over. The temple pays tribute to many deities, but especially to the elephant Lord Ganesh - who removes obstacles, and also to a variant of the goddess Lakshmi who bestows bountiful blessings of prosperity and wellbeing. Indeed, the devotees are quite welcome and welcoming in the community, spreading joy, diversity, and harmony for the benefit of one and all.

Uploaded

March 31st, 2020

Statistics

Viewed 2,617 Times  -  Last Visitor from Fairfield, CT on 04/26/2024 at 11:41 PM

Colors

Embed

Sales Sheet