Make the right choice: Bala
Minister attends 80th anniversary of the Temple in Ba.
Parveen Bala told the people of Ba to decide their future well for the betterment of the next generation that will follow. The Minister for Local Government, Housing, Environment, Infrastructure and Transport made the remarks during the 80th anniversary of the Tavarau Mariamman Temple in Ba on Friday night. He said soon they would have the opportunity to choose the future they wanted.
“If you want peace and prosperity then you have to be hardworking, be conscious in making decisions for yourself, your family, and community and for the country,” Mr Bala said.
“I know you all want to move forward. We also want to move forward and see a future for the country.”
The temple is located close to the Tavarau Primary School. It services a close-knit community of farmers.
“In this area there is a school and temple and Government wants to look into the road in that area to be tarsealed and want you to know we will work on this, to benefit you and the children,” he said.
Mr Bala also paid tribute to the pioneers of Tavarau. “Today we remember those who have given the land for the temple, they may not be here amongst us, but they have left this for us,” he added.
“We thank this current committee too. Every year they always prepare something for the temple.
“We must surrender ourselves to God when we enter the house of worship and we thank the Lord for being here. We pray for our people. I thank the Committee for hosting and welcoming people to come and seek God’s blessing in this House.”
Temple history
The temple was founded in 1938 by three very religious friends, Aimal Chetty, Ramaiya and Velaidan who have died.
The late Mr Chetty lived in Tuvu and performed the pooja of Mariamman at his own home. His two friends paid him a visit and they agreed to establish the temple at the current location. Temple president Suresh Naidu said: “The first temple was made up of a bure (thatched house) and pooja continued annually.”
In 1957 the devotees then decided to replace the bure with an iron and timber structure. In 1979 the wood and iron temple was dismantled and replaced by a concrete building.
The project was completed on May 10, 1982.
The opening function was held four days later.