Hinduism in Seychelles is the second-largest religion after Christianity, with more than 5.4% of the population. 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.

History of Hindus in Seychelles 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.

Demographics

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. This is an increase from 2,174 Hindus or 2.4 % from 2010 Census. 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.

Hindu population by region Hindus form majority in the Outer Islands region. +RegionTotal PopulationHindu PopulationPercentage of HindusCentral30,1451,0833.6East-South27,0722,2298.2West15,0583032North17,8437974.5Praslin7,8822072.6La Digue & Inner Islands3,6241825Outer Islands98870771.6

Hindu population by districts 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 +RegionDistrictTotal PopulationHindu PopulationPercentage of HindusCentralEnglish River3,5081243.5Mont Buxton2,778471.7Saint Louis3,2672056.3Bel Air2,6191365.2Mont Fleuri3,5061504.3Plaisance3,6851253.4Roche Caiman3,1572427.7Les Mamelles2,215411.9Ile Perseverance5,410130.2East-SouthCascade6,6591,33720.1Pointe Larue3,2671043.2Anse Aux Pins3,898912.3Anse Royale4,5521463.2Takamaka3,5283309.4Au Cap5,1682214.3WestBaie Lazare4,265751.8Anse Boileau4,595771.7Grand Anse Mahé3,4251313.8Port Glaud2,773200.7NorthBelombre3,8231263.3Beau Vallon4,7401583.3Glacis3,803711.9Anse Etoile5,4774428.1PraslinBaie Ste Anne4,2721222.9Grand Anse Praslin3,610852.4La Digue & Inner IslandsBird100Denis8600Fregate1300La Digue3,1331595.1North881011.4Silhouette303134.3Outer IslandsAldabra300Alphonse1121311.6Assumption77100Coetivy2222100Darros110110100Desroches33816247.9Farquhar171482.4Marie-Louise88100Platte353353100Poivre99100Providence55100Remire44100

Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam 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

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.

Famous Seychelles Hindus Satya Naidu- first Hindu member of Seychelles National Assembly. See also Hinduism in Africa

References

External links Indian Community in Seychelles Tamil Hindus in Seychelles