SHKS celebrates three decades of existence in Seychelles |13 March 2015
Hindus have been living in Seychelles for many centuries and have integrated themselves well into the multi-cultural fabric of the Seychellois society. As residents living away from their orgin, their aspiration was to follow their religious customs and cultural traditions.
On June 14, 1984, the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam (SHKS) registered society was established under the Registrar of Association. Any Hindi from 18 years old can become a member of the association. The executive committee and office bearers are elected in the annual general meeting by the members of the association. Only Seychellois members can take part in the management committee. The main activities of the association are as follows:
Religious activities:
In the beginning 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 are 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. Nathaswaram, a traditional music, is also performed during the prayers.
According to Hindu customs, a temple must be fully renovated after 12 years in existence and the function of Kumbabishegam (consecration ceremony), performed. The association, in collaboration with highly specialised Indian architects Dr.V.Ganapati Sthapati & Groups and Vijay Construction in Seychelles, pursued the construction of the newly designed five-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. While craftsmen are constructing the tower they are spiritually guided in such a way that each and every form and detail is specifically, uniquely and intricately placed. A flag post is also erected in the temple and seven gold kalasam are placed on top of the tower.
The renovation of the temple began in 2005. On January 20, 2008, a team of priests and religious leaders, the vice-presidents from Mauritius and Seychelles, attended its consecration ceremony. The third consecration celebration was done on January 23, 2013.
The temple, whose doors are open to the whole Seychelles nation as well as tourists and foreigners visiting our country, is a well-known landmark in Victoria. It has become one of the major tourist attractions of the capital. It is not only a venue of worship but also a place where the encouragement and promotion of cultural activities take 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 to create an atmosphere of peace, brotherhood and religious harmony among all.
From the time of its inception, many dignitaries – Seychellois ministers, the 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 and Mr Vijay Patel together laid the foundation stone for the temple in 1990. The then Seychelles Minister for Local Government and Culture, Mrs Sylvette Pool, the Mauritian Minister for Education and Science, Mr A. Parasuraman and the former Speaker of the Tamil Nadu legislative Assembly, Mr K. Rajaram, were among the dignitaries present for the 1992 Kumbabhishekam.
In 2005, the then mayor of Victoria, Mrs Florence Benstrong and the Indian high commissioner to Seychelles Mr Arun Kumar Goel, had the honour of laying the foundation stone for the construction of the temple tower Rajagopuram.
At that time the Hindu religious leader Sw. Sundaramoorthy Tambiran; the Vice- President of Mauritius, Angini Veeriah Chettiar; Vice-President of Seychelles Mr Joseph Belmont; the Minister for Community Development, Culture, Youth and Sports Mr Vincent Meriton; Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mr Wavel Ramkalawan; top government officials; members of diplomatic corps; the public and tourists were present during the consecration ceremony of Rajagopuram in 2008. In addition, Seychellois ministers at that time Mr Patrick Pillay, Mr Danny Faure, Mr Ronny Jumeau, Mrs Macsuzy Mondon, Mr Bernard Shamlaye , Mr Alain St Ange and Indian high commissioners Mr C. R. Balachandra, Mr Malay Mishra, Mr R. O. Wallang, Mr Sanjay Kumar Panda also took part in the various functions of the temple.
The temple hosts three main annual events: Kavadi Festival and procession; Hindu Chariot Procession; Sri Skandha Sashti Festival & Procession.
The Kavadi Festival & Procession 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 the Hindu religious rituals among the residents of Seychelles, but also help in fostering the great traits of tolerance, peace and brotherhood among all.
The event is followed by a special lunch for everyone. It 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 the religion.
Regrading the Kavadi festival and its importance to the Hindu faith, the government of Seychelles has granted a holiday for the Hindus on Thai Poosam day.
The Hindu Chariot Procession carrying the chief deity Shri Navasakthi Vinayagar, which is celebrated at night, takes place either in August or September according to the religious calendar. This grand procession with its colourful display of lights, pursues its course onto the streets attracting many local people as well as tourists. It 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 the Hindu’s belief that this reinforces their spirituality on the soil of Seychelles, the minds of the people living there and all those who visit these islands.
Other main events performed inside the temple are the Commemoration Anniversary of the temple in Seychelles which is celebrated normally three days before the Thaipoosam according to the religious calendar, in which during this time special Yahoo Pooja 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.
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.
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 the determination to encourage the people of Seychelles to develop an understanding of the Hindu culture, the temple strives to encourage religious harmony among people.
Praying sessions in the temple contribute immensely to the nation’s welfare. Prayers are offered particularly during times where the country is experiencing natural hardship like during the drought period for example where special Yaha and Pooja and prayers are offered.
The temple has had the pleasure in taking part in several key cultural events in Seychelles. It has proudly taken part in the National Day, Creole Festival 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 traditional colourful chariot illuminated with decorative lights.
Hindus also welcomed the new Millennium celebrations in 2000 with a remarkable cultural presentation. For the Silver Jubilee of the Independence of Seychelles in June 2001, they took part in a float procession where the temple presented a display that resembled a decorative peacock. For the 30th Independence Day anniversary in 2006 Hindus once again displayed ornamental elephant and palace decorations to the public. During the 25th Creole Festival, colourful float as well as exquisite Indian cultural dances were presented to the people.
The temple also took part in the Carnaval International de Victoria held in 2011. A musical group from India presented a musical and dance show known as kathakali accompanied by special cultural drums (Jandai Malam). Another float demonstrated the delicate architectural decorations similar to the Thanjavour Temple which has existed for thousands of years in south India.
Construction of Cultural Centre
The association plans to build a Cultural Centre behind the temple on a piece of land it has bought with the help of the government and generous donations from the public.
The temple has also played a role in helping vulnerable people in our society. It contributed towards relief aid when Seychelles and other countries of the Indian Ocean were rocked by natural disasters like the tsunami. It has also provided voluntary help to North East Point Rehabilitation Centre.
All are informed that 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.
By V. T. Veerapandian Pillai, Anse Royale