Some devotes took initiative to start Bhajan-kirtan while others started collecting funds. There were devotees who took initiatives to build temple in Fredrikstad. The funds collected in Oslo & Fredrikstad were later on donated to Sanatan mandir Sabha.

The utmost task for the committee in the beginning was to collect funds for the temple and enrol members. From the end of 1986, the members of the committee visited many households in Oslo, Drammen and surrounding areas to collect funds. The Hindu community responded positively and donated money for this important cause. There were other Indians who also donated for this cause. The committee members succeeded in collecting approx one million Kroner from 1986 to 1991. All these collections were deposited in a bank account with highest obtainable rate of interest. This amount in later stage aggrandized to approx three million Kroner including the interest. This was the time when committee worked very hard to collect funds and enrolled maximum of members.

Sanatan Mandir Sabha, Norway was registered as first Hindu religious community (trosamfunn) with the Fylkesmannen I Buskerud in March 1988.

Committee was originally interested in acquiring a piece of land to construct a temple. Since the temple building was to use for kirtan-satsang, jagran and other religious festivals, it was essential according to Norwegian laws that one could not disturb the neighborhood. Therefore, it was extremely important to acquire land which was a little secluded and could easily be approved by local authorities as a temple. The committee tried the best but all in vain. This task was also given to Lawyer and advertised in local newspapers. The most significant event in this regard was to negotiate purchase of land at Holmlia in Oslo. After processing this matter for a long time. Oslo Municipal Corporation could not finalize the deal and the money deposited as advance been returned with interest.

The committee was also interested in buying a suitable building, which could be renovated as temple. Many offers were considered, a church in Oslo, land at Rommen in Oslo and at Koppervikdalen in Drammen are few names worth mentioning. Finally, Mrs Raj Pathak, informed the committee regarding the Folkets Hus buildings at Slemmestad, which was on sale. The committee found this building suitable for temple activities. The site is located between Oslo and Drammen and easily accessible for devotes from the entire southeastern region. Considering all these advantages, the committee took the initiative and deal was finalized & signed on 29th January 1993. The building was bought and named Sanatan Mandir. Thus the dream of the entire Hindu community was realized at the end.

'Bhumi Puja' ceremony was held after acquiring the building for temple. Monthly kirtan-satsags were also moved from Vestli to Sanatan Mandir.

A construction/building committee was formed to renovate/rebuild the whole building under the leadership of Sh. Mangat Rai Sharma. After through planning, the construction work started in May 1993 and completed in summer 1994. Simultaneously, a constitution committee led by Sh. Surinder Nath Joshi was formed to propose statute for a new democratic constitution for Sanatan Mandir Sabha.

The Executive committee decided to send two of its members, Sh. Abnash Gupta and Sh. Randhir Kohli to order the markana marble Murties i.e. Sh. Ram Darbar, Sh. Radha- Krishan and Ma Bhagwati from Jaipur, India. Murties reached Oslo in the end of April 1997 by ship.

Murti Sthapna Committee was formed in Feb 1997 to organize all activities concerning Murti Sthapna & Pranpartishtha which was scheduled from 11-15 June 1997. Murti & Pranpartishtha mahotsav been completed according to Vedic rituals and officiated by Acharya Surinder Dutt Shastri, Head priest of Vaishno Devi Temple, Oakville Canada, Sh. Hari Ram Jyotishi and Sh. Ram Subhag Pandey from India.

Temple Address : Sanatan Mandir Sabha,

Nyveien 6, 3470 Slemmestad, Norway

Telephone : 31280313

E-mail : s.mandir@hotmail.com

Website : www.mandir.no