By Navendra Seoraj
THE almost forgotten Versailles Mandir, with a unique century-old Shivalla has finally been restored and now dedicated members are seeking to win back old worshippers and attract new patrons.

The mandir’s history dates back to 1920, when a group of Hindus living in the Versailles community approached the sugar estate management for a plot of land to build a temple.
A Phagwah Mela will be held today and will include dances from the Jewan Ka Nritya Dance Troupe and many other cultural items. Admission has been set at $300. The Mela is among initiatives being undertaken to upkeep the mandir.
The mandir is one of the oldest Hindu places of worship on the West Demerara and boasts many sacred Hindu artifacts, including the oldest and biggest Shivalla – a temple of the god Shiva – in the country.
During an interview with this newspaper, President of the mandir, Brian Ramkarran, acknowledged that the poor state of the mandir had turned away many worshippers.
Due to its dilapidated state, persons refused to carry out their satsangs (religious services) or participate in the regular services at the mandir.
Discouraged by the state of affairs, dedicated members set about raising funds to restore the mandir to its former glory and now worshippers are being urged to return.
Ramkarran said the initiatives to grow attendance include dance classes and training in the use of the harmonium and dholak musical instruments. Regular satsangs are conducted by Pandit Yubraj Narine.
Lal Balkaran, a member of the mandir, said that when the estate management agreed to the setting up of the mandir in 1920, a wooden structure with mud floor was built on the abandoned Plantation Malgre Tout, while at the same time, a tall conically shaped concrete structure called a Shivalla was built with bricks from the abandoned Malgre Tout Estate.
This temple was dedicated to the Lord Shiva and there was a “stone lingam” surrounded by a “jasmine hedge,” where devotees threw their “Dhar” early in the morning to Lord Shiva.
Though the physical features of the mandir were important, the first members also planted several sacred trees, some of which still exist to this day according to the current President of the mandir. These include the pipa tree, bael tree, neem tree, several types of mangoes, kowa, jack nut and breadfruit. The leaves of the trees are typically used in Hindu ceremonies.
In the 1920s, the mandir was maintained through a stipend from the Versailles Estate as well as through donations from members and private individuals.
As such, the mandir is encouraging persons to come forward and support the maintenance of the institution.