New Delhi: The Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago is preparing to construct a grand Ram Temple in its capital, Port of Spain. This is considered a major step towards establishing a new identity for Hinduism and Indian culture in the Caribbean.
This nation, with a population of approximately 1.5 million, is home to over 350,000 Hindus. It is one of the few countries in the Americas where Hindu religious and cultural traditions are still deeply ingrained in national life. This is why Trinidad and Tobago has long been known as the “Ramayana Country.”
Government Support
The nation’s Public Utilities Minister, Barry Padarath, announced the government’s strong support for this initiative during a recent meeting with religious leaders. He stated that Trinidad and Tobago is known as the “Ramayana Country.”
Ram Temple changes darshan timings, entry now allowed till 8.30 pm; Check aarti schedule
Indian traditions have survived here for centuries, and the government is committed to promoting this heritage. According to news agency ANI, the minister also stated that the government views this project not only from a religious perspective, but also as a cultural and spiritual center.
Proposal to Establish ‘Ayodhya Nagari’
Prem Bhandari, founder of the US-based Overseas Friends of Ram Mandir organization, has proposed to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to establish ‘Ayodhya Nagari’. The aim is to create a spiritual center for North American and Caribbean devotees who are unable to visit Ayodhya in India. The proposed center will be developed as a ‘mini Ayodhya’.
Unveiling of the Replica of Ram Lalla
In May 2025, a replica of Ram Lalla of Ayodhya was unveiled here. More than 10,000 devotees attended the event. The event was a joint effort by Prem Bhandari and Amit Alagh, president of the Ayodhya Shri Ram Organization.
A special gift for Diwali
The announcement came as the nation celebrated Diwali on October 20th. In Trinidad and Tobago, the occasion is also celebrated with a lighting ceremony and a national holiday.