Shri Raam Dhaam
Centre History
In 1992, upon the Shankaracharya’s instructions, Sri Raam Dhaam, then called SWAHA West Branch, had humble beginnings with our first meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Balram and Nan Persad, then of Four Roads, Diego-Martin. We then held devotional services at Micheal Gildharie’s residence on Lower St. Lucien Road. In 1993, after a successful Yagna at the Surprise Grounds Savannah, we then moved to “The Kootiya” next to the police post, atop St. Lucien Road. From there, after much planning and mobilization, in 1996 Sri Raam Dhaam acquired the property at L.P. 92 Upper St. Lucien, its permanent residence. Here, no effort is being spared at creating a truly magnificent structure, molded from the depths of scripture, inspired by the likes of Bharat Mata, and guided by distinguished artisans, architects and design advisors.
Sri Raam Dhaam is a four-storey temple complex (Hindu Centre), which, when completed, would be the largest of its kind in the Caribbean. It began as the brainchild of our beloved founding director and Spiritual Leader, now the High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago, Pundit Maniedeo Persad, and his wife, Srimati Rohini Persad. Coupled with the valued input of some of the founding members of the centre, the idea of Sri Raam Dhaam was born.
In September 1997 every single individual associated with Sri Raam Dhaam: the young, the not-so-young, all, came together in a tremendous display of camaraderie and with a single purpose in mind. That was the day that this very ground floor, in which you are seated was created. Carry anything from small bowls, buckets, large barrows, over 100 of us worked tirelessly to complete get this floor completed. From then, the beauty and the true essence of what this place truly is supposed to be, became ever more realized. Modeled after the Bharat Mata Mandir of Haridwar, in North India which as many floors, Sri Raam Dhaam, with just four-floors is soon to become a physical and structural reality.
The Mungal Murti of Bhagwan Sri Ganesh royally sits atop a globe-shaped Aasan (seat), with the walls painted with the elements of the solar system, after having been installed in the Sri GaneshJi Temple in September of 1999 on Sri Ganesh Chaturti Day. This depicts that Lord Ganeshji is the truly the lord of the universe. The murti was jointly purchased by Pundit Maniedeo Persad and other individuals. It is indeed one of the glories of Sri Raam Dhaam. The ground floor hosts the main reception hall and administrative offices. Also a soon-to-be fully equipped kitchen and fully-furnished dining room would be opened.
The Second Floor is the main hall where the all functions, devotional services, Yagnas and Weddings would take place. Though it is currently in use, when fully completed, it would be known as the Court of Bhagwan Sri Raam, where the beautiful Murtis of Bhagwan Sri Raam, Sita Mata, Sri Lakshmanji and Bhagwan Hanuman would be installed in the main Mandap. With a seating capacity of 700, this hall would be intricately embellished with fine Indian furnishings depicting the majesty of Sri Raam. When you enter, your definite feeling would equate to that of the era of “Raam Raj”- the rule of Bhagwan Raam. To the front of the Second Floor, are the Devi Mandirs. On the 22nd December 2002, the Durga Ma Murti was installed in the Mansa Devi Cave. On the 15 June 2003, the Maha Lakshmi Murti was installed in the place to the left of the Cave. On June 8th, 2008, the Saraswatti Mata Murti was installed in a gala ceremony, officiated by the newly installed Paramacharya of SWAHA, His Holiness, Guruji. Pundit Sri Hardeo Persad, who led hundreds of devotees in a Moving Prayag.
The third floor is the Divine Abode of Lord Vishnu. It is here, that on the 15 January 2005, the Sri Radha Krishna Murtis were installed. After much work, the Das-Avatar (10 incarnation of Lord Vishnu) was sourced, and is also soon to be installed alongside the original Radha Krishna Murtis. The forth floor the Divine Abode of Lord Shiva, where, long with Nandi, Bhagwan’s Aasan, they depicted in a mountain-like setting (Kailash Parvat).
Spiritual Leader
Pt. Maniedeo Persad
Assisting Pundits
Pt. Umadutt Maharaj
Centre Activities
Sunday Morning Service: 8.00 to 9.30 AM
Seasonal activities: Swadeshe (Indian Arrival Celebration), Ram-leela, Sports Day.
Contact Information
Address: Upper St. Lucien Road Diego-Martin
Phone: (868) 686-1427
Email: ssrdtrinidad [at] gmail.com
Website: n/a
