The Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago is planning to build a grand Ram Temple, aiming to position itself as a spiritual hub for Hinduism in the Western Hemisphere, officials said.
Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath told ANI, “Trinidad and Tobago is often referred to as Ramayan country. The Ram Lalla initiative is something that we welcome and fully support.”
He said discussions are underway within the government on how to develop a large-scale temple complex in the country.
According to reports, Prem Bhandari, founder of the Overseas Friends of Ram Mandir in New York, has proposed creating an “Ayodhya Nagari” — a Hindu spiritual and cultural centre for devotees in North America and the Caribbean who may not be able to visit Ayodhya in India.
Bhandari has reportedly presented the proposal to Trinidad and Tobago’s leadership.
Earlier this year, in May, a replica of the Ram Lalla idol from Ayodhya’s Ram Temple was unveiled in Trinidad, in a ceremony jointly organised by Bhandari and Amit Alagh, chairperson of the Ayodhya Shri Ram Organisation in Trinidad and Tobago.
The initiative reflects the deep-rooted cultural and religious ties between India and the Caribbean nation, where nearly 40% of the population is of Indian origin.
