Great Celebration In St Lucia

The Sanatan Hindu Organisation of St. Lucia organized a 3 day program during the first week of March 2009 in the Gros Islet District, Rodney Bay area near to the capital Castries. The President and Secretary of the organization, Mr. Ramjattan and Mr. Shyamsundar Jarbandan and other committee members invited Swami Brahmadeoji the head of Brahma Vidya Peetham to conduct the three day discourses. 

The event was coordinated by Shri Bob Ramroop, President of Gasparillo Hindu temple and a member of the National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC) together with Brahma Vidya Peetham.  St. Lucia is not as fortunate as Trinidad and Guyana in having a great number of Pundits so Pundit Kuldipj joined in the program to perform all the sacred rituals according to our ancient Vedic scriptures.  Accompanying him was Pundit Kailashji and exceptional bhajan singer Rohiniji of Trinidad.  The group brought the audience to a climax of bhakti and love each night through puja, prayer, chanting and singing kirtans and Bhajans. 

Sri Swami Brahamdeoji inspired the people for protection, preservation and propagation of the Hindu dharma and for education, reformation and organization of not only in the Indian community but the multi ethnic community, multi religious and multi -faith nationalities.

During the first day’s talks, Swamiji presented the Global views of Hinduism.  He continued on the second day addressing the fundamental principles of Reincarnation and on the final day Sri Swamiji lectured on and brought clarity to the role of Karma (hidden impressions of life) which is making destiny of human beings and destination of life. 

The 200 devotees who attended each day marveled in the joy of Swami Brahmadeoji’s lectures as he provided them with a unique blend of spiritual and scientific knowledge, simplifying the highest knowledge to the audience’s level of understanding and evoking bhakti, devotion and even laughter in the midst of the sound topics.  Faces reflected deep interest and rapt attention while Sri Swamiji delivered the discourses each day, everyone sharing in that sanctified feeling of the current of divine energy that pervaded the atmosphere at that time.

On the first day of the program, Swamiji was interviewed by Radio St. Lucia 97.3 FM.  Through the interview he presented the important role and responsibility of peace and love and one ness among all countries, cultures and communities on this globe. The interviewer, and main representative, Ms. Lydia D ‘Auvergne appreciated Swamiji’s answers.  They felt very honored and excited that a spiritual personality as Swamiji visited the island to inspire and plant a seed for the promotion of Hindu culture amongst all communities in the island.  Swamiji acquainted the Western audience with the faith of the Hindus rooted in the oldest of scriptures, the Vedas; its universal message of love, peace and harmony amongst all religions and cultures of the world. 

Before his lecture, Sushri Ananda presented his biodata and synopsis of his entire discourse. She assisted in organising the next program with the President of the Sanatan Hindu organization Sri Ramjattanji. 

Smt. Seeta Persad on behalf of Newsday attended these two nights program and inspired the audience with a short message.  Shri Bob Ramroop President of Gasparillo Hindu Temple welcomed the audience and expressed thanks on behalf of Trinidad & Tobago.

At last the Hindu community of India and Guyanese Hindu community of St. Lucia inspired by Sri Swamiji’s deep message and in his presence decided to jointly establish a big temple in the country. Many African and European origin people attended and expressed a desire to learn yoga and meditation and follow spirituality. It was a great event in the history of the Indian community who felt an uplifting inspiration and aspiration to do something for dharma and culture.  

It was indeed a moving experience to see so many people from almost all the districts in St. Lucia to assemble over this weekend at this great program in the country’s history. People from all religions, race, creed, cultures, communities and all walks of life turned out in numbers to participate in and witness the entire program. 

Sri Swamiji once again inspired hearts and kindled the fire of enthusiasm and service within all the people of St Lucia.  With the message of our glorious, rich and eternal heritage Sanatan Hindu Dharma, Sri Swamiji bridged the gap amongst the various communities on the island and planted the seed that would grow and flower to spread light of knowledge, the fragrance of bhakti (devotion) and the spirit of service throughout the country in the construction of the island’s first ever Hindu temple.  Each individual left strong in the strength of this new spiritual renaissance. This extraordinary fruit from this yagna through the motivation and awakening by Sri Swamiji will provide a platform and foundation for the message of Hindu Dharma to reach out over the entire Caribbean region and create unity amongst all Hindus and other religious and social groups. 

In Service of God and Humanity