Hinduism in Seychelles

Hinduism in Seychelles is the second-largest religion after Christianity, with more than 5.4% of the population.[1][2] The Hindu following in Seychelles has seen an increase in the community with the organization of the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam and the consecration of the Navasakti Vinayagar Temple. The increase in size and popularity of Hinduism caused the Government to declare Taippoosam Kavadi Festival a holiday.

Hindu Temple in Victoria, Seychelles

History of Hindus in Seychelles

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In 1901, there were 332 Hindu families out of a population of 19,237 and roughly 3,500 Tamil-speaking people.

The organization of the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam in 1984 and the consecration of the Navasakti Vinayagar Temple in May 1992 were landmarks for the resurgence of Indian cultural activities apart from the religious awakening.[3]

Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
1987 506—    
1994 953+88.3%
2002 1,700+78.4%
2010 2,174+27.9%
2022 5,508+153.4%
Year Percent Increase
1994 1.3% -
2002 2.1% 0.8%
2011 2.4% 0.3%
2022 5.4% 3.0%

According to the 2022 Census, there were 5,508 Hindus in Seychelles constituting 5.4% its population.[1] This is an increase from 2,174 Hindus or 2.4 % from 2010 Census.[4] The 2002 census reported 1,700 Hindus constituting 2.1 % of the population. In 1994, there were 953 Hindus constituting 1.3 % of the country's population.[5]

Hindu population by region

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Hindus form majority in the Outer Islands region.[1]

Region[1] Total

Population

Hindu

Population

Percentage of

Hindus

Central 30,145 1,083 3.6
East-South 27,072 2,229 8.2
West 15,058 303 2
North 17,843 797 4.5
Praslin 7,882 207 2.6
La Digue & Inner Islands 3,624 182 5
Outer Islands 988 707 71.6

Hindu population by districts

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Hindus form majority in the Outer Islands districts of Assumption, Coetivy, Darros, Farquhar, Marie-Louise, Platte, Poivre, Providence, Remire and these districts are exclusively populated by Hindus. Outside the Outer Islands, significant Hindu population is found in Cascade (20%), Takamaka (9%), Saint Louis (6.3%) etc[1]

Region[1] District Total

Population

Hindu

Population

Percentage of

Hindus

Central English River 3,508 124 3.5
Mont Buxton 2,778 47 1.7
Saint Louis 3,267 205 6.3
Bel Air 2,619 136 5.2
Mont Fleuri 3,506 150 4.3
Plaisance 3,685 125 3.4
Roche Caiman 3,157 242 7.7
Les Mamelles 2,215 41 1.9
Ile Perseverance 5,410 13 0.2
East-South Cascade 6,659 1,337 20.1
Pointe Larue 3,267 104 3.2
Anse Aux Pins 3,898 91 2.3
Anse Royale 4,552 146 3.2
Takamaka 3,528 330 9.4
Au Cap 5,168 221 4.3
West Baie Lazare 4,265 75 1.8
Anse Boileau 4,595 77 1.7
Grand Anse Mahé 3,425 131 3.8
Port Glaud 2,773 20 0.7
North Belombre 3,823 126 3.3
Beau Vallon 4,740 158 3.3
Glacis 3,803 71 1.9
Anse Etoile 5,477 442 8.1
Praslin Baie Ste Anne 4,272 122 2.9
Grand Anse Praslin 3,610 85 2.4
La Digue & Inner Islands Bird 1 0 0
Denis 86 0 0
Fregate 13 0 0
La Digue 3,133 159 5.1
North 88 10 11.4
Silhouette 303 13 4.3
Outer Islands Aldabra 3 0 0
Alphonse 112 13 11.6
Assumption 7 7 100
Coetivy 22 22 100
Darros 110 110 100
Desroches 338 162 47.9
Farquhar 17 14 82.4
Marie-Louise 8 8 100
Platte 353 353 100
Poivre 9 9 100
Providence 5 5 100
Remire 4 4 100

Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam

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The Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam, over a short span of seventeen years, has successfully established and entrenched some strong foundations for the preservation, consolidation and further flowering of the Hindu culture. The ever-popular kavadi festival and special Hindu festivals are covered in Tamil and English in the national media and there is a wide coverage of such events over national radio and television.

Arulmigu Navasakti Vinayagar Temple

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Thiru Navasakthi Vinayakar Kovil Victoria

The Arulmigu Navasakti Vinayagar Temple is the first and the only Hindu temple in Seychelles that has Ganesha as the presiding deity. Since 1999, Ganesha has been elevated to this position. Apart from the presiding deity, icons of Murugan, Nadarajah, Durga, Sreenivasa Perumal, Bhairawa and Chandekeswarar are enshrined in the inner mandapam of the temple. Prayers are performed for the different deities on special occasions.

Taippoosam Kavadi Festival, which began in Seychelles in the inner courtyard of the temple during 1993, is now conducted in the outer courtyard and a chariot kavadi is also taken out in procession. This festival has gained popularity as a national festival, so much so that as from 1998 the government has declared it a holiday for Hindus.[3]

Famous Seychelles Hindus

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Seychelles Population and Housing Census 2022". National Bureau of Statistics Seychelles. 2024-03-21. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
  2. ^ "Seychelles". CIA – The World Factbook.
  3. ^ a b Vijaratnam Śivasupramaniam. "Taippoosam Kavadi Festival in Seychelles". murugan.org.
  4. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-05-14. Retrieved 2013-11-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ "Housing and Population Census 2002" (PDF). Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  6. ^ Devirupa Mitra. "Interview: 'Not in Favour of Any Foreign Military Base': Seychelles' First Hindu MP Sathya Naidu". The Wire. Retrieved 24 February 2021.[permanent dead link]
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