A memorial service for two well-known Trinidadian Pandits was held on Saturday afternoon February 11 at the Maha Sabha Shiva Temple of New York located at 111 Street off Northern Blvd. they were honored.
Both Pandits were from Central Trinidad and were held in high esteem by Indians. The Pandits were domiciled in Trinidad and recently died in their native land where their remains were cremated. They were very important in their communities for conducting yajnas. They were very popular. They were also well known in New York where they performed Yagyas to promote and propagate Hinduism.
They came to NY regularly as a guest of the mandir. Pandit Ramdath Vyas conducted almost annual yagyas from mid 1980s till he was stricken by illness post 2000. After his illness, his brothers filled in. They used to visit Maha Sabha Shiva Temple with their mother. Ramdath also came with his wife. Pandit Ravindranath Maharaj also conducted Yagyas almost annually during 1990s and 2000s. Vyas used his yagyas as fundraisers to help with the construction cost of the mandir.
Several pandits in New York partook in the memorial service on Saturday afternoon that took the form of a prayer, havan, aartee, bhajan singing, music, and speeches. Their lives were celebrated. There were touching tributes from those who know them well. Their contributions to Shiva mandir and to Hinduism were remembered. They were remembered for their tenacity, conviction, and dedication to their faith and spreading the teachings of the Hindu scriptures.They were also remembered for their tenacity, conviction, and dedication to their faith and spreading the teachings of the Hindu scriptures.
A portrait of each pandit was on display. Many devotees from several Mandirs turned up for the service.
At the conclusion of the service, prasad and Bhiman were served.
