June 2024: One of Europe’s largest Shiva temples was consecrated with Mahakumbhishekam rituals between the 4th and 13th of June 2024 near the Estonian capital Talin. The temple is located in Lillerou (translated as Valley of the Flower), a rural site that was developed as a sacred space in the early 1990s by Ingvar Villido, an Estonian Kriya Yoga practitioner.
Spanning 5,000 square meters the temple site is made up of several independent shrines arranged in on a flower-like geometric shape. In addition to the central shrine of Shiva and his Parivar (family) such as Parvati, Ganesh and Bhairava, the site also includes shrines of the Sapta Rishis (the 7 sages who imparted the Vedas to humanity) as well as the 18 Siddhars (source of the Tamil mystical traditions). The temple’s configuration conforms to the ancient principles of Hindu architecture (Vastu Shastra) and has been consecrated as per the Saiva Agama by experts from Tamil Nadu.
Founder Ingvar Villido (Acharya Ishwarananda) explained: “The Shiva temple symbolizes our dedication to the eternal teachings of Sanatana Dharma, following the footsteps of the great Rishis and Siddhas. We have been honoured to build the temple according to the Aagama Silpa Saasthra Rules,” he said.
Image Credits: Induqin Newsletter ‘One of Europe’s Largest Shiva Temples Opens in Estonia’
Shiva’s new Estonian Abode
