The Bamboo No.1 Mandir of Valsayn held a Bhajan Mala on Saturday May 13 to raise funds for the ongoing construction of the outer wall of the compound. This project is not only necessary but urgent given the rising crime rate and the vandalization of mandirs in the recent past.
According to Wayne Lalchan, the President of the mandir, “I want to ensure that people are safe when they are in the temple.” In addition to the weekly poojas and the monthly Full Moon Katha, the mandir also hosts yagyas during the night and weddings on weekends. The mandir has also been host to Children’s Phagwa, Health Fairs, and social events such as magic shows and field trips for kids.
Several artistes performed free of charge. Among them were Ruby-Khan Gupta of Cunupia who has been singing for the past forty years and expressed a great love for singing bhajans. Other vocalists were Pundit Darren, Ramesh ‘Ron’ Sookdeo, Pandit Yankatesu, Shivan Sookoo, Akshay Khandoo, Charlie Soogrim and Karvir and Nigel Sankar. Several dholak and dhantaal players were at hand to provide musical accompaniment- Ajai Yankatesu, Sanjaya Yankatesu, Kavir Sankar and Lloyd Baldeo to name a few.
The Bamboo No 1 temple was constructed in the 1940s by villagers uprooted by the State from Warren and Guaymare in Charlieville to facilitate the construction of irrigation canals. In the relocation the elder successfully negotiated two lots of lands for a mandir. A kutiya was constructed and that served the community until 2000 when a decision was taken to rebuild a new mandir.
In addition to the mandir the management team has constructed an Education Center to teach classes in Health and Nutrition, First Aid, Yoga, Computers, Keep Fit and Self Defense, all essential skills for a Hindu to survive and flourish in the modern world.
Wayne Lalchan, a retired Prison Officer, is the President of a Management Team. A past President of the Hindu Seva Sangh, Wayne has a national and global outlook that inspires him to work with all. It is this vision and outlook that make the Bamboo No. 1Mandir one of the more active mandirs in the country.
It was at Bamboo No. 1 Mandir that the late Ramdath Jagessar (1947-2020) pioneered Indian Arrival Day commemoration activities in the late 1970s. The honoring of the elders was integral to Indian Arrival Day celebrations and the mandirs has continued. In the southern wall of the mandir are photos of the elders who have served not only the mandir but also the wider community.
Pandit Satyanand Maharaj, Managing Director of Bhakti TV are among the many patrons of the Bamboo No 1 Mandir and was at hand to provide live coverage once again of the Bhajan Mala through Bhakti TV and other social media platforms.
Never isolated in a ‘dark’ corner, the mandir has been available for book launches, panel discussions and lectures on social and cultural issues. On June 24 the Bamboo No 1 Mandir would be host to a Shradhanjali for the late Ramdath Jagessar who died of April 20, 2023.
The Management of the Mandir has extended sincerest thanks and appreciation to all who have contributed to a successful fund- raising Bhajan Mala. For further information please contact Wayne Lalchan (773-8775) or Anil Mangroo (773-5069).
