<span style='color:red'>South African Hindu Maha Sabha, 1912- to present</span>
<img src='http://scnc.ukzn.ac.za/doc/INDIAN/sabhas/SAHindu.JPG' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
The year 1860 marked the arrival of the first batch of Indians into South Africa under the scheme of indenture. As their numbers increased from year to year, they began erecting many temples on the estates, thereby they were able to maintain and adhere to their religious traditions, practices, customs and beliefs. It was not until 1912 that Hinduism was formally housed under one parent organisation.
Swami Shankaranandji came to South Africa in 1907 to continue with the missionary work done by Shri Bhai Parmanand. Since his arrival, he worked tirelessly for the cause of Hindu Dharma. He helped form Hindu organisations, revived Hindu festivals, resuscitated ancient Indian traditions and established vernacular schools. He inspired Hindus through his various lectures and discourses throughout the country. Under his dynamic leadership he convened the first South African Hindu Conference in May 1912. Three hundred delegates from forty-four Hindu institutions attended the conference. At this Conference the South African Hindu Maha Sabha was born with Swamiji as its first President. Swamiji's departure to India in 1913 left a vacuum resulting in a period of inactivity until the arrival of Mehta Jaimini, Swami Adhyanandji, Pandit Rishi Ram and other missionaries who rekindled the spirit of Hinduism.
The 1950's and 1960's saw the establishment, development and growth of Neo-Hindu Movements such as the Ramakrishna Centre and the Divine Life Society which advocated spirituality by means of prayer, worship, meditation and discourses.
Through its conference and related activities, the Maha Sabha has , through the years, provided a forum for all Hindus to meet and discuss their common problems and exchange their views and ideas. Today, in the forum of the Maha Sabha we find the Sanathanist, the Saivite, the Arya Samajist, the Vaishnavite, the Shakta, the Advaita, the Visisthadvaita, the Dwaita, the Mimansaka - all Hindus of similar and divergent social, cultural, educational and religious backgrounds.
While the Sabha has strived over the years to keep Hinduism alive, it needs to meet the challenges of transition. As part of a broader South African society, the Indian needs to fit into this fabric and the Hindu Sabha has therefore the continued task to convey the views, hopes and aspirations of the Hindus in South Africa to the various forums engaged in the transformation process. The Sabha must, of necessity, continue to serve the Hindu cause in this country for this group to survive.
NOTE :
South African Hindu Maha Sabha and its affiliates:
Andhra Maha Sabha
Arya Pratinidhi Sabha South Africa
Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre
Divine Life Society of South Africa
Gujarati Maha Parishad
Hindu Maha Sabha
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Kathiawad Hindu Seva Samaj
Merebank Saraswati Andhra Sabha
Natal Gujarati Parishad
Natal Tamil Vedic Society
National Hindu Youth Federation of South Africa
Pathmajuranni Andhra Sabha
Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa
Saiva Sithantha Sungum of South Africa
Sathya Sai Baba Foundation
Shree Emperumal Hindu Temple Society
Shree Sanathan Dharma Sabha of South Africa
South African Tamil Federation
Surat Hindu Association
Vedanta Mission
... and many more
<img src='http://scnc.ukzn.ac.za/doc/INDIAN/sabhas/SAHindu.JPG' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
The year 1860 marked the arrival of the first batch of Indians into South Africa under the scheme of indenture. As their numbers increased from year to year, they began erecting many temples on the estates, thereby they were able to maintain and adhere to their religious traditions, practices, customs and beliefs. It was not until 1912 that Hinduism was formally housed under one parent organisation.
Swami Shankaranandji came to South Africa in 1907 to continue with the missionary work done by Shri Bhai Parmanand. Since his arrival, he worked tirelessly for the cause of Hindu Dharma. He helped form Hindu organisations, revived Hindu festivals, resuscitated ancient Indian traditions and established vernacular schools. He inspired Hindus through his various lectures and discourses throughout the country. Under his dynamic leadership he convened the first South African Hindu Conference in May 1912. Three hundred delegates from forty-four Hindu institutions attended the conference. At this Conference the South African Hindu Maha Sabha was born with Swamiji as its first President. Swamiji's departure to India in 1913 left a vacuum resulting in a period of inactivity until the arrival of Mehta Jaimini, Swami Adhyanandji, Pandit Rishi Ram and other missionaries who rekindled the spirit of Hinduism.
The 1950's and 1960's saw the establishment, development and growth of Neo-Hindu Movements such as the Ramakrishna Centre and the Divine Life Society which advocated spirituality by means of prayer, worship, meditation and discourses.
Through its conference and related activities, the Maha Sabha has , through the years, provided a forum for all Hindus to meet and discuss their common problems and exchange their views and ideas. Today, in the forum of the Maha Sabha we find the Sanathanist, the Saivite, the Arya Samajist, the Vaishnavite, the Shakta, the Advaita, the Visisthadvaita, the Dwaita, the Mimansaka - all Hindus of similar and divergent social, cultural, educational and religious backgrounds.
While the Sabha has strived over the years to keep Hinduism alive, it needs to meet the challenges of transition. As part of a broader South African society, the Indian needs to fit into this fabric and the Hindu Sabha has therefore the continued task to convey the views, hopes and aspirations of the Hindus in South Africa to the various forums engaged in the transformation process. The Sabha must, of necessity, continue to serve the Hindu cause in this country for this group to survive.
NOTE :
South African Hindu Maha Sabha and its affiliates:
Andhra Maha Sabha
Arya Pratinidhi Sabha South Africa
Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre
Divine Life Society of South Africa
Gujarati Maha Parishad
Hindu Maha Sabha
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Kathiawad Hindu Seva Samaj
Merebank Saraswati Andhra Sabha
Natal Gujarati Parishad
Natal Tamil Vedic Society
National Hindu Youth Federation of South Africa
Pathmajuranni Andhra Sabha
Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa
Saiva Sithantha Sungum of South Africa
Sathya Sai Baba Foundation
Shree Emperumal Hindu Temple Society
Shree Sanathan Dharma Sabha of South Africa
South African Tamil Federation
Surat Hindu Association
Vedanta Mission
... and many more