July 02, 2006
Nashville, TN
With the joy of having participated in the Murti-Pratishtha of Memphis mandir, devotees traveled to Nashville to participate in the Murti-Pratishtha of the second mandir of Tennessee.
The pre-inauguration evening program on July 1st, comprised of kirtans and a cultural folk dance by the Atlanta Bal Mandal. On July 2nd, a vedic mahapuja for the murti-pratishtha commenced at 8:00am in presence of Pujya Kothari Swami and saints. The installation ceremony took place after the mahapuja and was followed by an annakut of 250 items prepared by local volunteers of Nashville. Messages from the Governor of Tennessee, Phil Bredesen, US Senator Lamar Alexandar, Mayor of Nashville Bill Purcell were read in the assembly. Also at the event were, State Senator Tommy Kilby and Vice Mayor of Nashville Howard Gentry Jr. who shared their thoughts on the opening of the mandir. In conclusion, Pujya Kothari Swami stated the importance of mandir and the cultural values in our lives in his blessings.