Fiji's Hindu Civilisation Revealed At Sri Suva Subramaniye Temple

After seeing a few photos too hearing that Sri Suva Subramaniya Temple, inwards Nadi, is the largest Hindu temple inwards the southern hemisphere I considered it a ‘must see’ on a recent trip to Fiji, both because I was interested inwards the construction every bit a Hindu house of worship too likewise because, according to what I knew at that time, it seemed a trivial out of house inwards Fiji. The isle acre proved itself to survive a fascinating melting pot of people, civilisation too religion silent too a catch to the temple is a dandy agency to larn close Fiji’s Hindu culture.

The Indian population of Fiji

Before visiting Republic of the Fiji Islands I expected the bulk of Fijians to survive due south pacific islanders yesteryear origin. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 trivial pre-trip query informed me an Indian population remained inwards Fiji, next the introduction of Indians to Republic of the Fiji Islands to operate on the saccharide tin plantations. However, I was silent surprised at the sheer give away of Indian faces I met too saw inwards Nadi. I don’t know why I was then surprised actually every bit the construction of large temples is oftentimes indicative of a large next inwards the local area. I must receive got non given it quite plenty thought!

Statue item at Sri Suva Subramaniye Temple, Nadi, Fiji

Traditional architecture

Sri Suva Subramaniya is a peaceful haven away from the chaos of the shops too traffic inwards modern twenty-four lx minutes menstruum Nadi. The temple brings brilliant colours too characterful depictions of deities to the southern terminate of town. It is 1 of the few places exterior Bharat where it is possible to run into traditional Dravidian architecture. The artists that completed the paintings came from India, bringing alongside them the wooden carvings of deities that characteristic inwards the intricate designs of the temple. 

Incredible item at Sri Suva Subramaniye Temple, Nadi, Fiji

Hindu Gods

Sri Suva Subramaniya temple is dedicated to the deity Murugan too consists of 3 parts. The principal business office of the temple complex honours Murugan spell the others are the Ganesh temple too Meenakshi too Shiva temple. While the temple is a house of worship, alongside each feature’s dimensions having specific religious meanings, it is likewise an extremely artful, colourful too inspiring building, peculiarly if y'all aspect upwards towards the ceiling inwards the principal complex. 

Paintings on the ceiling of the principal temple complex, Sri Suva Subramaniye Temple, Fiji

Guidance for visitors

In telephone commutation for a $5 Fijian entry fee, I was provided alongside an data brochure when I arrived at the temple, which explained what some of the paintings depicted. I was otherwise left to wander closed to myself. The alone house that was strictly off-limits to non-devotees was the inner sanctum of the principal temple too I was asked to survive respectful when using my photographic telly camera too bound photographs to existence taken from the outer perimeter of the principal complex.

One of the many reasons I dearest travelling is that I dearest learning close dissimilar cultures too what other people believe. Being given permission to come inwards a house of worship is something I run into every bit a privilege then I experience it is essential to demo appropriate respect. Visitors are asked to clothes modestly too withdraw shoes earlier entering the temple complex (on a hot twenty-four lx minutes menstruum I’d propose wearing socks every bit the the world tin kicking the bucket hot). Women are requested to comprehend their legs too are given a sarong at the entrance if required.

Share this post