Gyaan Jyoti Mandali: A Community Based Success Story

The Madras Hindu Centre, the Gyaan Jyoti Mandali hosted its Mandir Sthapan or temple opening ceremony on Sunday 27th July 2008 at Wall Street, Madras Road, Cunupia. This ceremony celebrated the completion of the multi-purpose structure, located in the settlement of Madras, which serves the community in all aspects of their personal and spiritual development.

The Mandir Sthapan culminates a decade of hard work and dedicated service to the community, where many lives were touched and blossomed under the care, love and sacrifices of the dedicated humanitarians that constitute the membership of the Gyaan Jyoti Mandali. Established on April 12th 1995, just 13 years ago, by a group of forward thinking and spiritual group of community members, the Gyaan Jyoti has taken shape to become a premier community centre in our nation.

The founders approached Swaha, which was just two years old at the time, to become a member group. The application was approved by the Spiritual Leader and founder of Swaha, the late Shankaracharya of Swaha, His Holiness Pt. Hari Prasad. Thus the light of knowledge (Gyaan Jyoti) was lit in the community of Madras, being a beacon to guide the members towards a better and more spiritual life for themselves and their families.

The group conducted religious services out of the homes of members, in particular, the Siewraj family and the Baliraj family, who continue to be pillars of the organization to this day. The group held weekly services on a Monday evening by various Pundits of Swaha, including the current spiritual head of Swaha the Paramacharya of Swaha, Pt Hardeo Persad; the founder and spiritual leader of Dharma Inc. Florida, Pt Rabidutt Maharaj; Pt Anand Maharaj; the past president of Swaha and the secretary of the IRO, Pt Gyandeo Persad (a past spiritual leader) and Pt. Sondath Maharaj (a past secretary of the Dharma Mandal of Swaha).

In 1997, the current spiritual leader, Pt Jaidath Maharaj was appointed to the Gyaan Jyoti Mandali, under the mentorship of his father Pt Sondath Maharaj, then Spiritual Leader. While learning and developing as a Purohit and Pundit under the spiritual leader, Pt Jaidath was fully integrated into the operations and structuring of the organization. Within a year of being appointed as assistant pundit, Pt. Jaidath was required to assume the mantle of leadership.

Due to his experience while serving with the senior Pundits of his family and Pundits of Swaha, Pt. Jaidath was able to bring new direction to the organization. His experience, coupled with his tertiary level education in the area of accounting and management gave him the necessary tools to lead the charge. His unrelenting drive and desire to serve Dharma led him to become the President of the UWI Hindu Society during his University years. This experience created confidence in the minds of his superiors that indeed Pt Jaidath, just 21 years of age at the time, was able to lead the Gyaan Jyoti Mandali on behalf of Swaha.

Thus he began working with the members of the community to evolve but a simple community group into a solid organization, an institution that will outlive generations, an institution that has a vision and mission, one that operates along the lines of sound management principles, one which is governed by a constitution which applies to all alike.

The Need for a Permanent Home

While services were being held at the homes of members, it was apparent that in order for more growth to take place, a permanent home was needed. Thus the search for land began, where many options were considered. Eventually, through the blessing of God and the kind hearts of the Seereeram family, two lots of land were gifted to the Gyaan Jyoti Mandali, for the construction of the Hindu Centre. Two more lots were promised, once the owners were satisfied that the Gyaan Jyoti were able to fulfill its self imposed mandate of constructing its Hindu Centre. Eventually, having met the requirements, true to their words, the kind family signed off the second two lots of land to Swaha, for use by the Madras based Hindu Centre.

In 1999, the Gyaan Jyoti Mandali decided to move from the home of its members and occupy the lands donated. The land was cleared and prepared and a temporary structure was erected where services and activities were conducted. This went on for a few years, in which time the group sought to become more organized and structured, while seeking to increase membership and expand its activities. Many fund raisers were organized and executed by the members, in an attempt to raise enough funds to begin the construction of a permanent home.

The move to the temporary structure brought with it a significant growth spurt where many new members, especially youths and children were attracted to the centre. This was due in large to the Spiritual Leader, who was a young and dynamic individual, able to appeal to the needs of the young Hindu. The Gyaan Jyoti Mandali began to gel, with members being proud and loyal to the cause and seeing the centre as a means through which social healing could take place.

The following are a list of some of the major activities of the centre:

• Sunday Morning Devotions
• Ganesh Chowt Vrat
• Religious Observances
• Community Havan and Jaap
• Ramleela Celebrations
• Divali Program (Joint with the Madras Action Committee)
• Home Work Centre / Academic Classes
• Cooking Classes (Joint with Madras Women United)
• Bhajan and Music Classes
• Sound Engineering (Joint with PR.A.NA.M)

The years from 1999 to 2005 saw the years of the youth of the Madras community. The children grew up, and were no longer the children of Madras, but the youths of Madras. We now boast of having many professionals including Lawyers, Accountants, Teachers, Education leaders, Managers, IT specialists, Caterers, Musicians, Artists, Tradesmen, Supervisors, Plumbers, Electricians and Drivers. All these professionals are members and supporters of the community based organization and are responsible for leading the various thrusts and initiatives to develop the community.

On February 8th 2004, the Gyaan Jyoti Mandali made history with the blessing of the foundation and the start of construction. With many well wishers, donations and blessings from all the Pundits of Swaha, key amongst them, His Holiness, the Shankaracharya of Swaha, the Gyaan Jyoti blessed the foundation amongst much pomp and joy. Three years after, having endured a hard battle against the elements, rising prices, scarce materials, theft of temple property, joy and tears, moments of inspiration and moments of depression, finally, success came.

The Hindu Centre is now ready to continue fulfilling its mandate of community development and awaking the potential in each person with improved facilities and infrastructure. A new chapter in the life of the Madras Hindu Centre is about to be written. Special thanks to the following members for their invaluable service and dedication to a most worthwhile cause:

Spiritual Leader

• Pt Jaidath Maharaj – Spiritual Leader / Education Officer

The Men

• Dayerpersad Siewraj – Building Committee
• Krishna Prabhudass – Building Committee
• Anim Mohammed – Building Committee
• Vishnu Baliraj – Building Committee
• Narine Dookie – Building Committee
• Tony Joseph – Building Committee
• Vishnu Doon –Member

The Women

• Gita Siewraj – Cooking Committee
• Sandra Mohammed – Religious Committee
• Tara Baliraj – Religious Committee
• Judy Prabhudass – Cooking Committee
• Rose Doon – Member
• Sylvie Hansraj – Cooking Committee
• Donna Ragbir – Decorator

The Youths

• Anatasha Mohammed – Chairman
• Anita Siewraj – Secretary
• Arvinash Mohammed – Treasurer
• Kavita Siewraj – Youth Officer
• Varun Baliraj – Youth Officer
• Akeem Mohammed – Member
• Vindira Baliraj – Member
• Vidya Baliraj – Member
• Marisa Siewraj – Member
• Suresh Doon – Member
• Rakesh Doon – Member
• Karishma Prabhudass – Member
• Kaveer Prabhudass – Member
• Anesh Hansraj – Member
• Akash Hansraj – Member

Special thanks to all members of the Madras community for dedicated service to God and Dharma.

Picture Slideshow of Event