It all happened one morning during RVM's 'Thought Time, a time for introspection. RVM was trying to connect with the Universal Power, when suddenly he got a Vision – a Vision to build a temple where a huge statue of Lord Shiva would stand, building Faith, Hope and Belief for generations to come. It came as if it was a voice from God and descended from above just like the mist would descend on the morning grass. The vision took shape and the thoughts became clearer and clearer.
God was telling RVM – 'Build a Shiv Temple, a temple where people can come and make their Dreams come true. The temple would have a statue of Lord Shiva with the Ganga flowing mythologically out of the head – a place of tranquility, peace, positive thinking and belief where the impossible becomes possible.' The ideas descended as a vision from God and it became a Dream for RVM.
This happened in 1993. RVM was a true believer from the young age of 8. He was 27 when this dream came upon him. He didn't have much wealth at that point of time. Along with his father Vashi, he was running retail stores which had grown over the last 5–6 years to a reasonably successful business.
When RVM shared this vision with his father, he found that his father too had got a similar vision, a vision to build such a temple. There was no land, no money, no architect and nobody to put this dream into shape. RVM went about trying to find the land and the sculptor who could put his dream into brick and mortar. Then as if by magic, it happened! The business became more successful and money flowed. RVM found a sculptor and the land, a joint land for both the business and the temple. Instead of it being a temple far away in the outskirts of the city, this joint land made it possible to have the temple right in the centre of the city where thousands could come and pray to God.
In 1994, the land was purchased and in a matter of months this temple of Lord Shiva became a reality. RVM always believed that it was not the work of man but the work of God because the sculptor, Kashinath, who built the statue did not even use a drawing, a blue print or a measuring tape to make it happen. He used his bare hands on marble paste and in a matter of months finished this spectacular, spiritually vibrating statue.
The landscapers then said that it was impossible to create an actual Ganga to flow from the head of Lord Shiva. RVM said, 'With God, all things are possible!' He believed that God creates miracles and therefore anything is possible especially with a Vision from God and thus the Ganga became a reality and flows out of the jata of Lord Shiva.
In 1995, on Maha Shivaratri day, RVM and his father Vashi expected about 3,000 people at the inauguration. It was as if it was the work of God that his spiritual representative, none other than the Shankaracharya of Shringeri who was in Bangalore gladly accepted the offer to inaugurate and bless the temple. Lakhs and lakhs of people thronged this temple on that Maha Shivaratri day, bringing the entire city to a standstill. As the vibrations from the temple grew stronger and stronger with the mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya' and 'Om Triambakam Yajamaye' sounding in the air, hundreds of priests consecrated the Linga of the temple on that morning and then the rest is history!
The Shiva Temple has become a spiritual destination, not just for devotees in Bangalore and in South India, but also for devotees from all across the country and the world. They come here and believe that God exists. They know that He has created everything. The temple has no roof and therefore one can feel and experience God's Creation. One can look up to see the sun, the moon, the stars, the birds and the flowers all across Lord Shiva who sits in front of a spectacular Manasarovar, a symbolization of where He lived in Kailash.
Yes, all this put together has made this A Temple of Faith. People come to this temple and make their dreams come true while dropping a coin in the Manasarovar repeating the mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya' 7 times after making their wish with faith. They leave a lighted diya on the Manasarovar to wash away their sins. They touch the healing stone that stands in the middle of the temple, to be healed of their disease and problems. They tie a 'Vigna Haran' thread at the Ganapathi statue leaving behind their troubles. All this has made this temple a true spiritual destination and not just another religious spot where rituals are performed. Prayers here are done not out of fear but out of faith and to build a connection with God.
The RVM Shiv Mandir is a unique temple where one can truly connect with the Power we call God. It is a temple where people come as non-believers but go back as believers because the vibrations at the temple make them realize that a Power exists. Coming to this temple will make you accept the Power and connect with the Power irrespective of which religion you belong to or which God you believe in.
If you have faith, come to the RVM Shiv Mandir which is a true spiritual destination and you will be transformed. You too will Believe and Achieve, you too will Dream and make your Dreams come true.