Hindu temple in Seychelles celebrates 30thanniversary |06 May 2022
The current Sri Navasakthi Vinayagar temple ‒ 5-tier Rajagopuram constructed in 2008
Consecrated on May 6, 1992, the Sri Navasakthi Vinayagar temple completes 30 years of existence today, May 6, 2022 to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
This is the first temple built in Seychelles by the Indian community which has been living here for nearly 200 years. Since then, religious and cultural programmes have been conducted regularly on a very grand scale.
By V. T. Veerapandian Pillay - Anse Royale
With its doors open to the whole Seychellois nation as well as tourists and foreigners visiting our country, the temple is a well-known landmark in the capital city of Victoria and has become one of the major tourist attractions. It is not only a venue of worship but also a place where the encouragement and promotion of cultural activities takes place to ensure the growth of peace and goodwill in the country. Here, religious and cultural education is also imparted to children and it serves to highlight the unparalleled Hindu philosophy of creating an atmosphere of brotherhood and religious harmony among all.
As residents living away from their countries of origin, their aspiration was to follow their religious customs and cultural traditions. In 1984, the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam registered association was established and Hindu devotees conducted their spiritual worship in an upper storey of a rented building at Quincy Street. With the untiring efforts of many, land was purchased for the construction of the first Hindu temple as a house of worship for Hindu devotees.
With further persistent efforts of Hindu devotees and the support of the government and people of Seychelles, the Navasakthi Vinayagar temple was consecrated in 1992 with Lord Sri Navasakehi Vinayagar as the main deity. Temple rituals were gradually extended and poojas performed four times a day. Every morning and evening, as per the schedule of the temple and the religious calendar, special prayers (Abhshekams and poojas), are performed for Vinayagar and other deities. Traditional music is also performed during these moments of prayers.
According to Hindu customs, a temple must be fully renovated after 12 years of existence and the function of Kumbabishegam (consecration ceremony) to be performed. The association in coordination with highly specialised Indian architects Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati & Groups and Vijay Construction in Seychelles pursued with the construction of the newly designed 5-tier tower (Rajagopuram), and the renovation and rejuvenation of the rest of the existing temple. It must be mentioned that the Indian architecture and sculptural forms of the tower and the related aesthetical details and symbols are very enigmatic and mystic.
Whilst craftsmen are constructing the tower they are spiritually guided in such a way that each and every form and detail of the tower is specifically, uniquely and intricately placed. A flag post is also erected in the temple and 7 gold kalasams are placed on the top of the tower.
The renovation of the temple commenced in 2005 and on January 20, 2008, a team of priests and religious leaders, vice presidents from Mauritius and Seychelles attended the consecration ceremony of the temple.The third consecration of the temple was done on January 23, 2013.
From the time of its inception, many dignitaries - ministers from Seychelles, Indian High Commissioner to Seychelles and foreign ministers from abroad have taken part in all the functions of the temple and have graced these occasions: Mr Manian, Editor of the religious magazine Gnanabhoomi laid the foundation stone for the temple in 1990 and Vijay Construction did the building work of the temple.
Seychelles’ former Minister for Local Government and Culture Sylvette Pool, Mauritian Minister for Educational and Science, A. Parasuraman and the former Speaker of the Tamil Nadu legislative Assembly, K. Rajaram were among the dignitaries present for the 1992 Kumbabhishekam.
In 2005, the former mayor of Victoria, Florence Benstrong and Indian High Commissioner to Seychelles Arun Kumar Goel, had the honour of laying the foundation stone for the construction of Rajagopuram
At that time, Hindu religious leader Sw. Sundaramoorthy Tambiran, the Vice President of Mauritius, Angini Veeriah Chettiar, Vice President of Seychelles Joseph Belmont; Minister for Community Development, Culture, Youth and Sports Vincent Meriton; leader of the opposition Wavel Ramkalawan; top government officials; members of diplomatic cops; the general public and tourists were present during the consecration ceremony of the temple tower Rajagopuram in 2008.
In addition, Seychellois ministers ‒ Patrick Pillay, Danny Faure, Ronny Jumeau, Macsuzy Mondon, Bernard Shamlaye, Alain St Ange, Charles Bastienne, and Mitcy Laure; and Indian High Commissioners C.R. Balachandra, Malay Mishra, R. O. Wallang, Sanjay Kumar Panda, Dr Ausaf Sayeed, General Dalbir Singh Suhag (Retired) also took part in the various functions of the temple.
On October 16, 2017, to commemorate the International Day for Tolerance, former President Danny Faure visited the Hindu temple and Speaker of India’s Lok Sabha Smt.Sumitra Mahajan also visited the temple in 2018.
The temple hosts 3 main annual events:
● Kavadi festival and procession
● Hindu chariot procession
● Holy wedding celebration
Kavadi festival
The Kavadi festival takes place either in January or February according to the religious calendar. This annual historical, colourful event attracts many tourists.
The festival not only reinforces the importance of our religious rituals among the residents of Seychelles, but also helps in fostering the great traits of tolerance, peace and brotherhood among all. The event is followed by a special lunch for everyone.
This is combined with Annadanam, in which people of all nationalities partake in a vegetarian meal. This ritual signifies the importance of hospitality which is an exemplary trait of our religion.
The government of Seychelles has realised the importance and the great message conveyed by this Kavadi festival and continues to allow a restricted holiday for the Hindus on Thai Poosam day.
Hindu chariot procession
The Hindu chariot procession carrying the chief deity Shri Navasakthi Vinayagar, which is celebrated at night, takes place in either August or September, according to the religious calendar.
This grand procession with its colourful light displays pursues its course onto the streets attracting many people as well as tourists. This ritual has become a ten-day event with the hoisting of flags.
People gather in large numbers to witness this spectacular night event. The chariot is pulled by all devotees who take part with spiritual devotion. Then the people who have gathered there are given ‘Kozhukkattai’, (a sweet). It is our belief that this reinforces our spirituality on the soil of Seychelles, the minds of the people living here and all those who visit these islands.
Holy wedding celebration
Every year, the divine wedding celebration of Lord Subramanya with his consorts Valli and Devasena is performed on a grand scale to portray the significance of the ritualistic Hindu weddings to the people of this nation.
This ceremony also establishes the philosophy of family life which is highly informative to everyone.
Other main events Performed inside the temple:
● The commemoration anniversary of the temple in Seychelles is celebrated either January or February according to the religious calendar, during this time special prayers (Poojas) are offered.
●The Holy Lamp festival is yet another activity that occurs at the temple. All women take part in this prayerful event which is accompanied by a display of lights. The event is conducted on a Friday in the months of February and August.
Membership in a Seychelles Inter-Faith Council (Sifco):
In Seychelles, in the year 2012, all religious groups joined together and formed an organisation called Seychelles Inter-faith Council (Sifco) - an organisation for religious harmony and this entity started working for the religions and society at national level.
The Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam became a member of this organisation and takes active part in all its religious and social meetings and events. Specifically, we take part in all the government functions at national level and spread the tenets of the Hindu religion along with all other religions.
The chairman’s condolence prayer on behalf of the Sangam on the occasion of the condolence meeting held for the first and former President of Seychelles, Sir James Mancham.
Social and cultural activities:
The basis for the activities of the temple and Hinduism is to foster social well-being. By partaking in the functions of the government and our determination to encourage the people of Seychelles to develop an understanding of our culture, the temple strives to encourage religious harmony among people.
Praying sessions in the temple contribute immensely to our nation’s welfare. Prayers are offered particularly during periods of hardship in the country; during periods of drought for example special Yaha and Pooja prayers are offered.
The temple has had great pleasure in participating in several key cultural events in our country. It has proudly participated in the National Day, Creole Festival week and Carnival celebrations with spectacular floats and processions.
In 1996, as part of the float procession on National Day, we were honoured to receive a prize for our display of a traditional colourful chariot illuminated with decorative lights.
We made a remarkable religious-cultural presentation in the welcoming celebrations of the new Millennium celebration in 2000. For the Silver Jubilee of the Independence of Seychelles in June 2001, we had the privilege to be involved in the grand float procession where the temple presented a float that resembled decorative peacocks. 2006 saw the 30th Independence Day anniversary where we once again had the opportunity to display a ornamental elephants and palace decorations to the public. During the 25th Creole Week festivities we were delighted to exhibit a colourful float as well as show people our exquisite Indian cultural dances.
The temple proudly paid tribute to the opening ceremony of the International Carnival Festival event held in 2011. As a participant, a special musical group from India presented a spectacular musical and dance show known as Kathakali, accompanied with special cultural drums. Simultaneously to this, we displayed yet another float demonstrating the delicate, architectural decorations similar to the Thanjavour Temple which has existed for thousands of years in South India.
In 2015 Lakshman Sruthi & group performed in a grand musical show, in 2017 in collaboration with Indian High commission in Seychelles, the THAYAMBAKA Chanda Melam troupe performed an Indian traditional music in the temple during the Holly Marriage celebration.
The temple has also played a role towards helping vulnerable people in our society. It contributed towards relief aid when our country and other countries were rocked by natural disasters (tsunami, earth quakes as well as others) and gave voluntary help to the North East Point Rehabilitation Centre.
Construction of cultural centre:
The association plans to build a cultural centre behind the temple on a piece of land it bought with the help of the government and generous donations from the public.
As a final but sincere message to all, the temple warmly welcomes and embraces the Seychellois nation as well as people from all over the world bringing love, peace and harmony to the living community.
