Pandit Buddharath Yankatesu of Bamboo No 3 officiated at Durga Pooja and Hanuman Chanting on Tuesday 8th October, 2004 at the Bamboo No 1 Mandir.
Panditji, the spiritual head of the Hanuman Darshan Mandir, holds Hanuman Chanting every Tuesday at several mandirs-Bamboo No 1, Bamboo No 3, Maracas and Tacarigua.
This attempt at bringing devotees at various venues weekly is unique and must be commended. It is desperately needed that Hindus come together to engage in worship for the survival of Sanatan Dharma.
I have always found Panditji to demonstrate a profound knowledge of Sanatan Dharma and a very easy way to convey his message to his devotees. Mostly self-taught, Pandit Yankatesu learned at the feet of the late Pandit Jadunanan Mishra of Debe, the Academy of Hinduism led by the late Pandit Khemraj Maharaj and the Hindu Prachaar Kendra under the guidance of Raviji.
“While I benefitted from those classes, I was mostly self-driven in acquiring knowledge,” said Panditji.
“I was fortunate to come from a family that was very much engaged in the culture. My father, the late Ramraj Yankatesu, was a renown local classical singer,” Panditji shared.
At the Hanuman Darshan Ashram Panditji conducts regular weekly devotion and Yagyas. Earlier this year the Ashram hosted a 21 Night Ramayan Yagya with Swami Prakashananda officiating. This was a huge undertaking but with the help of pandit’s family, relatives and devotees the yagya was successful.
In December Panditji will be officiating at a 5-Night Gita Yagya at the Hanuman Darshan Ashram from 8-12 December 2024.
Panditji also officiates in programs at the mandir in his local community. This effort to work with all to bring unity among Hindus is worthy of emulation by other leaders and pandits.
“Many hands make work lighter,” is an expression that Panditji puts into practice. I sincerely hope that this effort to work with other Hindus can be adopted by others who are known for parroting the slogan “Hindu Sanghitan” when in reality spreading the poison of division.
Ma Durga was born by the gods merging their energy which led to the defeat of the demonic Mahishasura. Much of the political and social issues that debilitate our community can be solved if our leaders work together. Pandit Yankatesu certainly embodies the message of Nav Ratri which is burying of ego in the interest of the greater welfare of the community and wellbeing of all.
