El Dorado Shiv Mandir in Trinidad and Tobago is in its 100th year.
Built in 1912 in a small thatched hut by Hindu immigrants,
it has gone through several phases and renovations and has been the center of
community activities.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA)
today, congratulated the community in Trinidad and Tobago for keeping the
heritage, religion, spirituality and culture alive and for their efforts to
transfer these on to the next generations.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of
Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality,
concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in
the consumerist society. He stressed that instead of running after materialism;
we should focus on inner search and realization of self and work towards
achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.
According to reports, this Temple has been holding religious, social,
cultural, educational and other events while going through various renovations,
upgrades and expansions over the years. It attracts devotees from a large area,
as far as south Trinidad, and many locals
settled abroad make it a point to visit the temple when they are in the
country. Temple
has also established a Heritage Project for underprivileged children. Nirmala
Harrylal is the President and Deosaran Sharma and Vinai Sharma look after the
religious aspects of the Temple.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar, first female and current Prime
Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, took the Oath of Office on ancient Hindu
scripture Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord) in a ceremony at Knowsley (Port of Spain). A
$14-million Hindu temple and community center has been planned for Freeport, reports
suggest.
Said to be settled at least 7,000 years ago, this
dual-island nation in southern Caribbean,
heavily influenced by petroleum industry, is known for Carnival, mesmerizing
beaches and calypso music. George Maxwell Richards is the President of Trinidad and Tobago, one of the wealthiest
nations in the Caribbean.
First indentured laborers from India
to Trinidad reportedly arrived on May 30, 1845
on the ship Fatel Razack and during 1845-1917, over 140,000 Indians were
transported here, who brought with them a new culture.
Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents.