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The greater majority of Indians in Fiji follow the Hindu faith. Many Indians in Fiji are descendants of indentured labourers brought to Fiji in the 1800s or descendants of immigrants who came to the islands in the 1920s and 30s.

The majority of Hindus belong to the more orthodox Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, with a smaller number belonging to the more reformist Arya Samaj organisation.

Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha

The Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji was registered as a religious body in 1959. The idea to form a registered body was mooted by Late Mr. Hari Deo Sugreev of Nasinu, Suva. A number of meetings were held to discuss this matter and greater number of people were involved. Finally it was decided to call a nationwide meeting and Sanatanis from all over Fiji got together at the Shivalay Temple in Samabula, Suva. After some discussions it was decided to form the SSDPS of Fiji. Pundit Shreedhar Maharaj was elected the first national President of the Sabha. Pt Shreedhar Maharaj carried on as national president for 8 consecutive years. During this period to date many people have served as national officials of the Sabha. The Sabha started with a very humble beginning but soon acquired many Schools and properties in Fiji. Over the years the Sabha has come to great level having run many schools and commercial properties and temples. 

The Main objective of forming the Sabha was to get the Sanatanis together and to promote the Sanatan religion. Under the leadership of it’s current National President Mr. Surendra Kumar, the Sabha has been able to acquire a commercial property in Narewa, Nadi and has also secured land in Rewa and other places of Nadi. The President strongly believes that to take the Sabha into a sound financial footing, commercial development is the right way forward.

Arya Samaj

The Arya Samaj was the first religious, cultural and educational Fiji Indian organisation established in Fiji. From its inception, in 1904, it attracted the young, educated and progressive Hindus into its fold. During the first three decades of the twentieth century, it was the sole voice of the Indian community in Fiji, and as Fiji Indians won political rights, it was not surprising that first Indian members of the Legislative Council were all Arya Samajis. The influence of Arya Samaj over the Indians in Fiji gradually waned as other organisations representing Indians were established but it remained the dominant force in politics until 1959. The modern day Arya Samaj in Fiji still speaks out on issues affecting its members and its activities are visible through the numerous educational institutions that it manages.

Kabirpanthi

A small religious community which recognises Kabir as their Satguru or Prophet. The group comprises people of either Muslim or Hindu ancestry, and the ritual life of the community displays it's dual origins. Outside India, Kabirpanth has followings throughout the Indian diaspora, particularly across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Mauritius, and just recently in the Pacific region.

Sathya Sai Baba

Belief : “…He asserted that he is an avatar of God in whom all names and forms ascribed by man to God are manifest. Sathya Sai Baba (born Sathyanarayana Raju on November 23, 1926 or later than 1927 — with the family name of "Ratnakara") is a guru from southern India, religious leader, orator and philosopher often described as a godman and a miracle worker….”

According to the Sathya Sai Organization, there are an estimated 1,200 Sathya Sai Baba Centers in 130 countries world-wide with an estimated followers numbering of 50 to 100 million.

 

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