Worship and harmony
RELIGION was and still is the heart and soul of the community of Darnall and it helped residents unite and live in harmony.
For the Hindu community, the Siva Soobramaniar Temple, started 126 years ago on the banks of the Darnall River, today attracts thousands of worshippers during the year.
“When the indentured labourers arrived in South Africa, they brought with them their religion. When they settled in Darnall, they did not have a proper place to worship and rendered their prayers on the banks of the river,” explained temple trustee Dr Danny Dhaver.
After a few years, Tongaat Hulett gave them a worship site along Jahndah Road.
“The Shri Mariammen Temple was constructed using wood and iron and over the years we revamped the structure and converted it to brick.”
Dhaver said the temple houses a murthi of the mother (the deity Marieammen) and a tyrant that is reflective of the one that belonged to Lord Shiva, which is a symbol of protection. These are 100 years old.
He said the temple’s oldest puthu housed a snake. In Hinduism snake worship is popular because it is linked to the deity Shiva, who is regarded as a supreme being that creates, protects and transforms the universe.
Dhaver explained that decades ago devotees saw holes in the sand, which began to grow into mounds.
“A devotee then saw a yellow shiny snake slither into the puthu and, from then, fellow worshippers would offer prayer to the puthu.
“They would leave milk for the snake to drink and when they returned the following day the milk would be gone.”
Dhaver said the temple extended to the main Siva Soobramaniar Temple, which had a Shiva Lingum, Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga murthies which are 100 years old.
He added that during Thai Poosam Kavady, devotees pulled a chariot with the main feature being a decorated 100-year-old smaller Kavady structure.
Over the years, Tamil and music classes were introduced for children and this, said Dhaver, has kept their culture and heritage alive.
While Hinduism was most practised in the community, Christianity was also introduced to residents.
“A white missionary, named CS Flewelling, visited a Hindu family in Darnall to speak to them about the Bible and Christianity.
“This family converted and started doing mission work and introduced other families to the faith,” said resident Bobby Murugan of Apostolic Faith Mission Church which is over 100 years old.
“Religion gave everyone their own sense of purpose and there was no such thing as division. Both Christians and Hindus lived in harmony and this has made us successful.”