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The Prime Minister visited the Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple during his recent three-day State visit to Seychelles, highlighting its cultural significance.
About Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple
- Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple is located in Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, on Mahé Island.
- It is the only Hindu temple in Seychelles.
- Built in 1992 by the Hindu community, which constitutes about 2% of the country’s population, it is dedicated to Lord Vinayagar (Lord Ganesha).
- The shrine is designed in the Dravidian architectural style and resembles the traditional temples of Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India.
- Its most distinctive feature is the nearly 100-foot-high gopuram (entrance tower), adorned with brightly coloured sculptures of Hindu deities and mythological figures.
- The garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum) houses the idol of Lord Vinayagar, while the mandapam serves as a venue for prayers, religious ceremonies, and community celebrations.
