PANDIT Jagmohan Persaud is the officiating priest at the Groenveldt Mandir at Leonora, West Coast Demerara and he spearheaded the construction of the temple and Shivala (specially dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva) and was instrumental in acquiring the plot of land for the edifice which was once a dump site.

The Groenveldt Mandir was constructed on July 23, 2018, after a land-filling and clearing exercise, the father was a contractor and the Pandit gained ideas for the design of the Mandir based on his work but he wasn’t the contractor of that temple. He built the structure without a plan, but today the building is a lovely, well-designed one so much so it must be admired.

Pandit Persaud told the Pepperpot Magazine that it is the first place of worship in the community since there was none even in the other denominations, so it is a safe place for all and they enforce the no alcohol policy.

He explained that after the 18 to 20 little shacks that gave Shantytown its name were removed, the plot was vacant and became a swamp which then turned into a dumpsite. The land was later acquired for the construction of the mandir.

Pandit Persaud reported that he had a vision of what he wanted the mandir to be and, most of all a place for all and thought of what he had to do to achieve that.

“I see the mandir and an institution where all are welcome, to mould minds and we have the space with night lights for games/sports and I encourage our youths to engage in meaningful activities instead of falling prey to illegal drugs and doings and it is degenerating trend these days,” he reasoned.

The religious leader pointed out that the land pace in the compound of the mandir is used for volleyball, softball, cricket and other games and also utilised for festive occasions where on-the-spot cooking is done with live music.

Pandit Persaud stated that they also competed against other mandirs in sports and people within Wine Bush and Shantytown and even beyond are members of the Groenveldt Mandir.

He added that the mandir is not only open to Hindus, but none members and just about anyone can visit to express their talent and ability in a healthy environment.

The Pandit related that Guysuco used the drainage canal to transport 22-tonnes of sugarcane on a barge and as a young boy growing up in the village, he witnessed that and it is the ideal place where a sitting area was created by the locals.

In addition, Persaud is a licensed marriage officer and a Justice of Peace, Oaths and Affidavits and he does clerical work free of cost for all and even if a donation is given, he would hand it over to the mandir.

He reported that the mandir does its part to give back to the community, and they assist in burials. If a poor person within the village dies, the temple shoulders the cost for burial and even provides a priest for the service.

It is understood that it cannot be done for everyone, but the Groenveldt Mandir also gives back via its feeding programme and grocery hampers for the elderly and single parents.

Pandit Persaud noted that all funds garnered through events at the mandir go back to the community and those festivities are held to raise funds.

He added that the mandir is also responsible for cleaning the avenue where the fruit trees and wooden benches are and they do their part in sanitation in and around the temple.

“My family and extended family supports charitable work and my sister, sister-in-law and others would cook and sell foods to raise funds for the mandir and to pack a month’s worth of groceries for the less fortunate and schoolchildren are gifted back-to-school packages,” he said.

He disclosed that his sister, Tajwattie Persaud would work along with the women’s arm of the Dharmic Sabha to host charitable events and she is a great cook who would prepare foods to sell at the roadside to garner funds.

Pandit Persaud added that before COVID-19 she used to acquire 500 back-to-school packages for children on the region and further afield like Parika.

The priest added that his sibling would also pack a month’s worth of groceries in the form of hampers to distribute to single parents and pensioners at Phagwah and at Christmas and she would target about 200 needy persons.

In giving parting words during the interview, the Pandit said, “I would like to share this bit – as you start the day, ask yourself who can I be a blessing to today and it’s a good deed to touch the lives of others regardless of who they are.”