By Michel Outridge
MAYBE it is based on one’s beliefs but who knows, maybe it is the place where people go to be healed spiritually, but in Hyde Park, Timehri, one can find the home of self-ordained Hindu Pandit Parsram Samaroo, who established a spiritual mandir that offers spiritual healing.
Samaroo said that the mandir was established many years ago after he fell ill and doctors had given up on him.
His last resort to reclaiming good health was at the door of a pandit, who told him he needed to perform some spiritual services and when he is of good health he must continue the ‘healing process’ by helping others.
The 74-year-old self-styled pandit told the Pepperpot Magazine that in 1975 he was employed at the ministry, located at Timehri as a security guard when he fell sick. Unable to do much as a result, he went to many doctors and other healthcare professionals, who could not find any medical complaints.
Back then, he stated that he was a staunch Roman Catholic and did not believe in pandits and used to attend the Meadowbank Church, since he used to live at Mc Doom.
Samaroo recalled after the riots in 1964, their family house in Mc Doom Village was bombed and his youngest sister and niece perished, but luckily, he survived and the rest of the family fled to Soesdyke.
They were renting a house for $40 per month then and he began a simple life of farming.
Samaroo added that he felt he wanted to die because he was helpless and depressed and there was no doctor to say what seemed to be his medical complaint, but then he was advised by elders to go to a pandit for a “reading.”
He was completely healed and felt like himself once again and he believed that he had to open his own mandir to help others; and so he built a small 10 by 12 wooden structure at Hyde Park.
Today, the mandir has grown in size and attendance and the place is well-built with different sections for worship and healing services and it can accommodate up to 300 persons, but due to COVID-19 only a few persons are allowed entry at any given time.
“I believe that I was healed through this kind of spiritual service and I will continue to fulfil my calling, because I am healthy to date and I help others, who are trapped spiritually,” he said.
He gave an example of a young boy who, when he arrived at the mandir, could not walk or talk and after the healing service he got up and walked out of there in good health and was able to return home overseas.
Samaroo stated that people who visit for his services would make monetary donations which go towards the purchase of the things required for the service or they bring their own and he would accept whatever they can afford after the healing service.
“I don’t see this mandir as a money-making thing, but I believe I am helping humanity and providing a service for people and I would accept anything when poor people come here and even ensure they have a place to stay overnight if they journey for far,” he said.
The father of four reported that all are welcome at his mandir despite race, creed or religion; his place represents all the religions and he is the healer of the body, mind and soul.
Samaroo is a member of the Inter-religious Organisation (IRO) and would even entertain priests, pastors and other pandits at his Mandir.
It is believed that the street was named after Samaroo’s temple, that is, Kali Street.
