Hamm Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple - Germany.

Address

Hamm Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple Hamm-Uentrop, North Rhine-Westphalia, Postal Code : 59065, Germany. Phone : +49 2388 302223

Diety

Shiva Amman: Kamakshi Amman

Introduction

north-eastern part of the Ruhr area. The city is situated between the A1 motorway and A2 motorway. The temple is located on the Outskirts of the city Hamm. The town of Hamm/Uentrop is home to Europe’s largest Hindu temple. The temple, which is also popular with worshippers from Belgium and the Netherlands, was founded by Tamil refugees when they came to Germany in the 1980’s. It´s the biggest South Indian style Hindu temple in Middle Europe and it has been built and established for the Tamils community in Germany. The interiors of the temple look exactly like the temples in south India / Srilanka. The main and biggest altar is dedicated to Kamakshi Amman of Devi Kamakshi. In the main sanctum, there are various small shrines for the other Gods and Godesses like Ganesha, Shiva, Sri Murugan etc.. Sri Kamatchi or Kamakshi means Goddess with the eyes of love. Kamakshi Amman is depicted with four arms and sitting in Padmasan (lotus position). She also wears a red saree and a crown along with flower garlands and jewellery. In front of the main Devi idol, there is a Shree Yantra.

Puranic Significance

The temple is built in the South Indian (Dravidian) style. Although the foundation was laid in 1999, this temple was completed in the year 2002. The entire structure is made up of white bricks. The construction of this temple was done by Hamm architect Heinz-Rainer Eichhorst. The architectural details of this temple are similar to the Kamakshi temple in Kanchipuram, India. The statue of the main Goddess is made up of granite and was brought from Kanchipuram. There are shrines for around 200 deities in this temple. The Gopuram is about 17 meters in height. The Dhwajastambha or flag staff is in front of the main sanctum. Groundbreaking of building with a footprint of 27 x 27 m (729 m²) was held in March 2000th For the construction, especially for the many sculptures and ornaments, several temple builders were buy from India. From the outside the building shape red and white vertical stripes, the impressive portal of the Gopuram (temple tower) is 17 m high.The temple is the goddess Kamadchi that “the wishes every whim”, dedicated or the “through the eyes of love.” Overall, the construction not only decorate the large granite statue of the eponymous goddess, but also more than 200 other figures of deities.

Special Features

Temple was designed by Hammer Architects Heinz-Rainer Eichhorst, strictly following the presentation and style of the Kamakshi temple was directed in the southern Indian, Kanchipuram.

Festivals

Festivals celebrated annually include Ram Navmi, Janmashtami, Shivratri, Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali. Marking the Hindu New Year, Diwali is one of the grandest festivals, and attracts many visitors and devotees to the mandir.