An image of a popular Hindu temple in Trinidad and Tobago
A Hindu community in Blanchisseuse, Trinidad is in shock after there were 2 attacks on the peaceful Hindu community within a week. A Hindu temple near the Marianne River was vandalized on Sunday by miscreants. The vandals broke some sacred Hindu deities as well as covering the temple with human feces and urine. Local Hindus as well as local members of the Orisha community were devastated after a similar 2nd attack occurred in another smaller Hindu temple nearby.
The Blanchisseuse Hindu temple was consecreated in 2000 by community leader Pujarri Harry Bhukal of the Maha Kali healing temple of Claxton Bay. According to Pujarri Harry Bhukal, he and other members from the local Hindu community went to the temple on Sunday last to prepare the place for a prayer meeting scheduled for this Sunday when they observed that the heads of the 7 elephant statues had been cut off, the base of the temple destroyed, as well as deities of lord Hanuman and Lord Shiva destroyed. He stated that despite the act of hate-based vandalism, he and community members will proceed with their peaceful prayers at the site on Sunday and it is his intention to refurbish the temple and put some additional security measures in place.
The recent attacks on Hindu temples in Trinidad is the not the first time the local Hindu community has faced hate-based attacks and bigotry from extremists. Aside from local miscreants, in the past there have been many hinduphobic attacks on Hindu temples by Islamic and Christian extremists who see Hindu temples as evil and devil-based due to presence of deities in different forms of God.
Dear Divine Souls,
I am so sad this violation upon you sacred temple and soul has taken place. Only a person of violence and ignorance could commit such a attack against the love that the Hindu religion teacher. Please understand this person is sick and does not know love for others, acceptance of other cultures and religions. Do not let this vicious attack make you hateful. I am not Hindu, or Krishna but have a great love for your teachings, temple and people.
May knowing others are caring and praying for your peace help you on your journey through life
Loving kindness
Brenda
Hindus largely are indeed peaceful people, save a little minority who have vested interested in politics for their bread and butter. I am equally pained at this cowardly act of some nincompoops.
Dear Hindu Brothers and Sisters of T & T, I can feel your pain. But you must never forget the basic teaching of your great religion which says, ‘Udaar charitanaam tu vasudhaiv kutumbakam’- The great people see the world as one big family. So just forgive and forget the culprits like as we use to do with our own family members.