Odorkor is a suburb of Accra - Ghana and within this city lies the spectaculor Shiva temple, which is also known as the African Hindu Monastery. It was 5:30 Am during the time NETERU-XYZ' s writter visited. There was a ritual ongoing and the whole atmosphere was filled with fragrance from incense sticks burning, with the whole congregation chanting alongside the leader of the ritual. This ritual is called "Hawan". There were about 100 to 150 people present. NETERU-XYZ writter had an interview with two young men- Arjuna Dadzie and Vishnu Coleman who are both Hindus.
" Hinduism has been in existence in Ghana for about or more than 55 years now " Arjuna Dadzie tells us. "It is not clear as to who started the practice as at then but one fact unavoidable is that Indians who were living in Ghana started the practice until some few locals began to show interest " Arjuna continued.
Hinduism began to gain recognition in Ghana when His Holiness Swami Ghananandaji Saraswati, under the instruction and guidance of His spiritual master Swami Krishnananda Saraswati, established the first Hindu Temple in Ghana in 1975, which is now the Shiva Temple, better known as The African Hindu Monastery.
"There are currently over 5,000 Hindus in Ghana " Arjuna concluded.
In the Temple hall there are quite a number of deities on the altar so, Vishnu Coleman took time to tell us what these deities names were and their features.
"We have before us Lords Shiva, Parvathi, Ganesh, Kali, Krishna, Hanuman and Vishnu. That is also a deity of Lord Jesus Christ up there" Vishnu Coleman started. "Aside these there is a grand Shiva deity outside in a special room and also a seperate temple room for Devi worship ( Durga worship). Devi worship is about God in the mother form." He added.
"There are 5 major Hindu Temples in Ghana and the concept of numerous Gods, we believe that God is one. His functionary roles give him the various forms and names we see but its the same aspect of one divine personality" Vishnu revealed.
The current head of the African Hindu Monastery is His Holiness Swami Satyanandaji who succeeded His Holiness Swami Ghananandaji after the atrainment of Samadhi of the later.
Not all Hindu festivals are celebrated in the African Hindu Monastery. The festivals Ghanaian Hindus celebrate are;
1. Ayyappa
2. Mahashivaratri
3. Ram Navami
4. Navratri
5. Ganesh Chaturti
6. Krishna Janmashtami
7. Hanuman Jayanti
8. Gayatri Poja
Through the hardwork of Swami Ghananandaji and some faithful devotees Hinduism has spread to neighbouring countries like Togo, Ivory Coast and Nigeria.
" I was born into a multi religious family. No one is restricted in his choice of worship. Indian tv series showed on television drew my attention to the fact that, there's another form of religion and I was pushed to learn about it. That's my first step in embracing hinduism " Vishnu Coleman told us about himself.
"Gradually, Hinduism is being embraced in Africa. Through social media interactions and talk programs, people are getting to understand us" -- he added.
" The indian community in Ghana is happy seeing sanatana dharma flourishing here and outside Ghana, in other African countries" Vishnu ended.
For: NETERU-XYZ
Photo Gallery and credit - Vishnu Coleman and Arjuna Dadzie
Pic 1. African Hindu Monastery ( Shiva Temple) during a celebration
Pic 2 . Shiva- Parvathi deities
Pic 3 . Front view of Shiva Temple, Accra
Pic 4 . Krishna Temple with Krishna deity at Kumasi.
Pic 5 . Swami Ghananandaji Saraswati
Pic 6 . Vishnu Coleman
Pic 7 . Agni Homa ( fire ritual) in the African Hindu Monastery
Pic 8 . Current head of the Monastery, His Holiness Swami Satyananda
Pic 9 . Arjuna Dadzie.
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