Fiji Sun

Members use pandemic to renovate temple

- SHRATIKA NAIDU Edited by Ivamere Nataro Feedback: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj

Shree Sanatan Dharm Nasea Ramayan Mandali is making use of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictio­ns to renovate and extend its temple, Ram Mandir, in Labasa.

The president of the mandali, Pradeep Kumar, said they decided to carry out much-needed work with the COVID-19 restrictio­ns in place.

Mr Kumar said the renovation and extension of the temple would cost them around $17,000.

“Through the support of the trustees, 22 mandali members and kind donors, we were able to fund this timely project,” Mr Kumar said.

“We decided to do this project to bring great benefit to members and the public who want to hire the temple to have their wedding and prayers.”

The temple built in 1969 is located in Labasa Town.

“There are both negative and positive impacts of the pandemic,” he said.

“The positive impact is that it has given us more time to do what can be best for the members such as extending the mandir so that more members and programmes can be accommodat­ed.

The negative impact is devotees cannot gather to have prayers.”

Whatever the reasons could be, he said good work should not stop as God is present everywhere.

He said the project would be completed soon.

 ?? Photo: Shratika Naidu ?? Shree Sanatan Dharm Nasea Ramayan Mandali president, Pradeep Kumar (left), with trustees and workers as the renovation of the Mandir in Labasa on June 5,2020.
Photo: Shratika Naidu Shree Sanatan Dharm Nasea Ramayan Mandali president, Pradeep Kumar (left), with trustees and workers as the renovation of the Mandir in Labasa on June 5,2020.

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