By Amit Sarwal and Monika Singh
A joint delegation of Purohits from Fiji and Trinidad and Tobago has arrived in India to take part in the International Gita Mahotsav 2025 and undertake a specialised Purohit Training Course at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). The programme is being coordinated by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) on behalf of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Five priests from the Shree Sanatan Dharm Brahman Sabha of Fiji are representing the Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha in what is being described as the first formal, structured training initiative for Fijian Purohits.
Sabha President Dhirendra Nand said the programme would significantly strengthen the practice of Sanatan Dharm in Fiji. He confirmed that classes commenced earlier this month at BHU and form the foundation of a broader course that includes both online and in-person components.
As part of the training, participants also travelled to Kurukshetra to attend the International Gita Mahotsav from 23 to 25 November. This follows an initial online phase that continues until 21 November. After they participate in the festival, the priests will return to BHU for the ITEC module before completing an additional online segment.
Nand said the delegation members were “very happy” with the depth and quality of the sessions they had attended so far.
The Sabha has expressed gratitude to Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that the initiative was facilitated through discussions held during their recent meeting in India.
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