Last Sunday, at the invitation of the Hindu Council, which brings together several of the country’s socio-cultural organizations, Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth and his wife Kobita lit the sacred lamp at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Center in Phoenix. The ceremony was part of today’s inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, India.
The ministerial couple then attended a cultural evening hosted by artists from the Hindu Council, including the Mauritius Marathi Mandali Federation, the Mauritius Telegu Maha Sabha, the Mauritius Tamil Temple Federation, ISKCON, the Mauritius Sanatan Dharma Temples Federation, IGCIC and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute.
Indian press
In a message carried by the Indian press yesterday morning, Pravind Jugnauth said: “May Lord Ram’s blessings and teachings continue to light our way towards peace and prosperity. Jai Hind! Jai Mauritius!”.
The President of the Mauritius Sanatan Dharma Temples Federation, Bhojraj Ghoorbin, thanked Pravind Jugnauth for granting two hours’ permission to participate in prayers today. He pointed out that Ram’s return to Ayodhya after 500 years is a historic event.
Special permission
He added: “It’s extraordinary to see such fervor and devotion in the country. The Head of Government’s decision to grant special permission for two hours has been welcomed in India and around the world. Mauritius was the first country to do so, and this demonstrates its greatness of spirit”.
He also invited Shri Ram devotees to illuminate their homes, light lamps and share cakes with neighbors to celebrate Shri Ram’s triumphant return after 14 years of exile in the forest.
The Roche Bois Vandana Group is currently in India and will be performing in Ayodhya on the 24th and 26th, thanks to the efforts of the Indian High Commissioner to Mauritius, Nadini Singla, and the Minister of Arts and Cultural Heritage, Avinash Teeluck. He promised that Ayodhya would be part of the next Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage.
Before the cultural program began, Kobita Jugnauth, Deputy Prime Minister Leela Devi Dookun Luchoomun and Nandini Singla lit the symbolic lamp.
Procession across the country
Numerous socio-cultural organizations organized processions yesterday. The Ramayana Centre organized a Shoba Yatra in cars and on foot through temples in the south, singing Vedic hymns. Young people also answered the call of the Shri Ram Mandir Utsav Council. Over a thousand vehicles, including cars, vans and trucks, gathered in front of the Anjalay Coopen stadium in Belle Vue en route to Grand Bassin.
It should also be noted that a number of Hindus based in African and other countries also organized rallies to mark the inauguration and consecration of the Ram Mandir in India. According to many of them, the aim was to raise awareness among young people of the universal significance of the Ramayana’s messages, but also of the importance of the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
