THE Guyana Central Arya Samaj and the Berbice Central Arya Samaj, along with all the affiliates and associates across Guyana on Tuesday joined hands in celebrating the 143rd anniversary since the founding of the Arya Samaj Movement.

The Arya Samaj was established on April 10, 1875 in Bombay, India by its iconic spiritual founder, Maharishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati. Since then, Arya Samaj ideals and practices have spread all over the world and today, there are many temples and persons in numerous countries that preach and teach the Word of God because of the Arya Samaj and its zeal for truth and logic.

A primary objective of the Arya Samaj is to do good to and for the world in such a way as to promote physical, spiritual and social upliftment for everyone. To achieve this, the conduct of followers is always to be guided by unselfishness, love, righteousness and justice.

These, among other core values, remain the focus of the Arya Samaj in a world that continues to be pulled into every conceivable realm of negative thoughts and emotions.
“We continue to look for the ultimate good of our children and parents; the advancement of our country and its economic and social values and the overall cohesion of our peoples,” President of Guyana Central Arya Samaj, Dr Yog Mahadeo said.

Over the short but impactful history of the Arya Samaj since its formation in 1875, there has been undeniable contributions to nationhood in many countries. Humanity as a whole has benefited from the modernistic, logic-driven approach to Hinduism as practiced by the Arya Samaj.

Dr Mahadeo noted that among its many appeal, the Arya Samaj is people-focused.
“Our life-long mission is to make the world a noble place. All of our actions and intent is supposed to be focused on helping others,” he said.

He continued: “The bedrock to our growth and development as a nation is in education and healthy lifestyle. One of our goals therefore is to learn, practice, teach and preach the word of God and to inculcate healthy living habits that focuses on building and maintaining strong families. To preach and practice unity and love is ultimate.”
All the temples across the country celebrated this anniversary.

“In Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo, across the mandirs, there are a number of activities at various mandirs during the month of April. In Berbice, there is a multi-kunda havan at the 64-66 Vedic Mandir and a day of devotion and singing. In West Demerara, there will be a multi-kunda havan at the Windsor Forest Mandir, youth camp and a week of devotion and songs at all the mandirs. At East Coast Demerara and Georgetown, there will also be special services and a youth-activity on April 29 at the Georgetown Mandir.
General Secretary of the organization, Bahen Renuka Lall, said that the Arya Samaj movement teaches everyone to be kind, courteous and loving toward everyone.
“Our belief is that everyone is equal and that all are entitled to happiness and prosperity,” Lall said as she advised everyone to go to temple and to do good.

“We are joining hands with many countries in a Universal movement that believes in helping everyone and letting everyone grow and develop. We believe that our personal happiness lies in the happiness of everyone and our personal contentment is experienced when others are contented,” President of the Berbice Central Arya Samaj, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo said.

The West Demerara Arya Samaj, under the leadership of Pandita Dolly of Windsor Forest, also launched a week-long celebration at mandirs across the West Demerara, culminating with a grand celebration at the Windsor Forest and Central Mandir (Georgetown). East Coast Demerara’s head, Pandit Seu of Enmore, also announced their week-long activity and the participation in the grand celebrations on April 29 at the Central Mandir.
Member of the Essequibo group, Rakesh Ramballi is calling on all members to be reminded of special celebrations in Essequibo in June this year.