Satnarayan Maharaj CM, also known as Sat Maharaj, (pronounced [sət̪ənɑːrɑːjəɳə məɦɑːrɑːɟə]; 17 April 1931 – 16 November 2019)[20] was a Trinidadian and Tobagonian Hindu religious leader, educationalist, and civil rights activist in Trinidad and Tobago. He was the Secretary-General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, a major Hindu organisation in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean.[21]
Satnarayan Maharaj | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Secretary General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha | |
| In office 1977 – 16 November 2019 | |
| Dharmacharya | Pt. Dr. Rampersad Parasram (5 May 2019 – 16 November 2019)[3] Pt. Uttam Maharaj (30 April 2005-d. 29 November 2018)[4][5] Pt. Krishna Maharaj (1986-2003)[6] Pt. Sahadeo Persad Dubay Sharma (d. 1986)[7][8] |
| Upadharmacharya | Pt. Ganpat Maharaj[9] |
| President General | Pt. Krishna Rambally (2018-16 November 2019) Pt. Uttam Maharaj (30 April 2005-d. 29 November 2018) D. Omah Maharajh Thirbhowan Seegobin |
| Vice Secretary | Vijay Maharaj[10] |
| Preceded by | Simbhoonath Capildeo[1] |
| Succeeded by | Vijay Maharaj (acting)[2] |
| Trustee of the Central Vishva Hindu Parishad | |
| In office 26 January 2011[11] – 26 January 2014 | |
| Assistant Secretary of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha | |
| In office 1972[12]–1977 | |
| President of the Caroni East Indian Association Youth Arm | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Satnarayan Maharaj 17 April 1931 [13] Chandernagore Village, Chaguanas, Caroni County, Colony of Trinidad and Tobago, British West Indies |
| Died | 16 November 2019 (aged 88) Saint Joseph, Tunapuna–Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago[14][15] |
| Political party | Democratic Liberation Party (1971) |
| Spouse |
Shanti Sagan Maraj
(m. 1953; died 2009) |
| Children | Vijay Maharaj (son) Vindra Maharaj (son) Vidya Satnarayan Maharaj (son) Vimala Tota-Maharaj (daughter) Sati Maharaj (daughter, deceased) Deviyani Gobin (daughter) [17] |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Bhadase Sagan Maraj (father-in-law) Deolatia Maharaj (paternal grandmother)[18] Pt. Changa Maharaj (paternal grandfather) Pt. Rampartap Misir (maternal grandfather) |
| Residence(s) | Champ Fleurs, San Juan–Laventille, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Education |
|
| Nickname(s) | Sat Maharaj Hanuman ji of Trinidad The Bengal Tiger[19] The Big Boss |
| Personal | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Sect | Sanātanī |
| Religious career | |
| Guru | Pt. Krishna Maharaj |
| Awards | Chaconia Medal |
The Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha operates 150 mandirs and over 50 schools in Trinidad and Tobago. It was formed in 1952 when Bhadase Sagan Maraj, the father-in-law of Satnarayan Maharaj, engineered the merger of the Satanan Dharma Association and the Sanatan Dharma Board of Control. An affiliated group, the Pundits' Parishad, has 200 affiliated pundits. The organisation's headquarters are located in St. Augustine.[citation needed]
Under the Secretary General Satnarayan Maharaj, the Maha Sabha has modernised all 42 schools and built 5 secondary schools as well as 12 early childhood educational centres. Maharaj has also revived the observance of Phagwah and was instrumental in the creation of the Indian Arrival Day holiday and annual celebrations. The Maha Sabha also introduced a Children's Cultural Festival - Baal Vikaas Vihar.[22]
References
edit- ^ "Satnarayan Maharaj – Founder of the Indian Caribbean Museum of Trinidad & Tobago". 17 July 2018.
- ^ "Son to succeed Sat in SDMS". 15 November 2019.
- ^ "New Dharmacharya congratulated". 5 May 2019.
- ^ "Maha Sabha loses its Spiritual Head". 30 November 2018.
- ^ "Pundit Uttam Maharaj is new Dharmachaya". 3 May 2005.
- ^ "Death of a Guru". 21 October 2003.
- ^ "Pt. Bhisham Persad » » About Me".
- ^ "Rare Photos of Pandits of Trinidad".
- ^ Mahase, Radica. "Reflections on Divali in Trinidad and Tobago".
- ^ "Son to succeed Sat in SDMS". 15 November 2019.
- ^ "Sat Maharaj appointed trustee of Central Vishwa Hindu Parishad". 26 April 2011.
- ^ "Happy 80th birthday Sat". 25 April 2011.
- ^ "Happy 80th birthday Sat". Trinidad Newsday. 25 April 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
- ^ "Sat Maharaj has died | Loop Trinidad & Tobago".
- ^ https://m.facebook.com/sdms1952/photos/𝑾𝒆-𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏-𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓-𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆-𝒐𝒇-𝑨-𝑽𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆-𝒐𝒇-𝑴𝒚-𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚-𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏-𝒃𝒚-𝒕𝒉𝒆-𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆-𝑺𝒉𝒓𝒊-𝑺𝒂𝒕𝒏𝒂𝒓/331582438568000/?locale=ne_NP&_rdr [user-generated source]
- ^ "Sat Maharaj Has Died".
- ^ "Calls for a State funeral for Sat".
- ^ "Central Beat". Facebook.
- ^ "The Catholic News - Archdiocese of Port of Spain".
- ^ "A fighter passes on - Sat Maharaj has died".
- ^ "A fighter passes on - Sat Maharaj has died".
- ^ "Baal Vikaas Vihar Festival". DiscoverTT. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
Further reading
editSat Maharaj: Hindu Civil Rights Leader of Trinidad & Tobago ISBN 978-976-8249-70-8