Doesn’t the name Mandi Genzvra Dakhil sound intriguing? This is a Mandaean temple in Liverpool. Liverpool is a suburb of Sydney in New South Wales Australia.
Mandi Genzvra Dakhil is officially registered as the Mandi Genzvra Dakhil. The temple is named after Rishama Dakhil Aidan. He was the head priest of the Mandaean community in Iraq from 1917 to 1964.
The Mandi Genzvra Dakhil opened on July 22 2012. So today marks its twelfth anniversary. Volunteers and generous donations made this building possible. The building is significant for diaspora communities. It offers substantial capacity. It hosts the Mandi and the Sabian-Mandaean Association headquarters in Australia. Construction lasted a year and a half. The Mandaean Council in Liverpool oversaw it. The Mandaean Resource Center also helped.
For twelve years this center has served the Mandaean community. It hosts religious ceremonies. This includes the Council for Mercy for the Deceased. It also hosts celebrations for important Mandaean occasions. The Mandi administration coordinates with the sect’s cemetery. It collects donations for needy families.
The Sabian-Mandaean Association in Australia organizes various social activities. These include the Women’s and Children’s Committee. There is also a Youth Committee a Social Committee and an Immigration Committee. They host seminars cultural lectures and festivals.
Rishama Salah Choheili currently serves as the head priest of the Mandi Genzvra Dakhil. Anhar Hassan Faraj also serves as a priest here.
The Sabian Mandaean Association in Australia administers Mandi Genzvra Dakhil. The association is also building Wallacia Mandi. It is near the Nepean River in Wallacia New South Wales. Flowing river water is required for Mandaean baptisms. Ganzibra Dakhil Mandi members go to Wallacia Mandi for baptisms. Ganzibra Dakhil Mandi is used for sermons and meetings. These do not include baptismal rituals.
A mandi is a Mandaean building. It serves as a community center and place of worship. It’s also called mashkhanna or beth manda. Beth manda means house of knowledge. Mandis are traditionally built by a flowing river. Today mandis can also be modern buildings. They serve as community houses and local administrative centers. A mandi typically holds weekly worship services. It also hosts weddings and other important events.
Other mandis exist in Prestons New South Wales. It is called Mandi Yehya Youhanna.