Shree Swaminarayan Temple Seychelles inaugurated |06 July 2023
Among the activities to commemorate its 50th anniversary in Seychelles, construction company Laxmanbhai officially opened the Shree Swaminarayan Temple Seychelles at Union Vale.
The grand ceremony was held yesterday in the presence of the head of state, President Wavel Ramkalawan, Vice-President Ahmed Afif, Designated Minister Jean-François Ferrari, Minister Devika Vidot and Indian high commissioner Karthik Pande.
The guests were greeted by the director general of Laxmanbhai, Ravji Raghwani, with special prayers and a band from the temple in Kenya where both national anthems were played. This was followed by prayers to consecrate the idols.
This temple has a history behind. “Hindu worship, also known as ‘puja’, was introduced in Seychelles 50 years ago when Laxmanbhai and other brothers, among other followers of Lord Swaminarayan, came here to work on the Mahé Beach Hotel project which started in 1973. The devotees first made small prayer rooms in Port Glaud at the site camp. Since business was good and Laxmanbhai decided to stay in Seychelles, they built their camp in Union Vale as well as a small temple of Lord Swaminarayan,” explained Nandu Raghwani, spokesperson for the temple for the five-day celebration.
As the number of Indian construction companies grew and more Indians of the Hindu religion came to work here, the foundation of the new Lord Swaminarayn temple was laid on March 6, 2015 in the presence of the head of Bhuj temple, Swami Dharma Nandan Dasji and other saints.
Five Brahmins (priests) and 35 saints came to Seychelles for this special event.
As of yesterday, the temple is open for the public to come pray and visit.
During the ceremony, President Ramkalawan thanked the Laxmanbhai group for having been in the country for so long and helping the community grow and looks forward for more collaborations.
On site, there were already some 35 couples who were participating in ‘Yajna’ (prayer).
Mrs Ravji Raghwani explained that the prayers were done for five days and it depicts sacrifice, devotion, worship, offering. It refers in Hinduism to any ritual done in front of a sacred fire, often with mantras and it is for the whole country.
The celebrations in Seychelles started last Friday and will last until today, Thursday July 6.
The accompanying photos show highlights of the ceremony.
Vidya Gappy
Photos: Louis Toussaint
