Mohan Gurukkal embarked on a remarkable journey at the tender age of ten when he left his home in Walajapet, Tamil Nadu, to pursue priesthood, a path steeped in his family’s tradition. Raised in a lineage of priests spanning centuries, Gurukkal views his vocation as both a duty and a passion. “We are real Brahmans and my first duty in life was to become a priest; afterwards, comes everything else,” he shares.
His journey began in 2000 when he traveled to Kanchipuram, a revered city in South India, to undergo six intense years of training. By the age of 16, Gurukkal was serving as an assistant priest, maintaining a legacy that his ancestors had upheld for generations. “From 2006, I performed prayers in the temple and worked as an assistant priest until 2015 when I began conducting prayers outside,” he recounts. Now 35, Gurukkal holds the esteemed position of head priest at the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple in Nadi, Fiji, a role he assumed in December 2019 upon the recommendation of Ravi Gurukkal from the Tiruttani Murugan Temple in Tamil Nadu.
Before relocating to Fiji, Gurukkal was unfamiliar with the island nation. “I had no idea about Fiji and where it was located,” he admits. However, after researching its diverse culture and religions on Google, he felt it was a fitting destination for his calling.
The temple he presides over, often referred to as the Nadi Sangam Temple, is integral to the Then India Sanmarga Ikya (TISI) Sangam Fiji community, which will celebrate its centennial anniversary next April. Established in 1984 and consecrated in 1994 with the aid of artisans from India, the temple stands as a stunning example of traditional Dravidian architecture, a rarity outside India. Known for its vibrant colors and intricate designs, the temple draws visitors from around the globe.
Gurukkal returned to Tamil Nadu in 2022 to bring his wife and daughter back to Fiji, and his family recently welcomed a son born in Fiji in November 2023. Leading a team that includes two assistant priests from Tamil Nadu and seven local priests, he ensures that the temple’s daily rituals are maintained, fostering a nurturing spiritual atmosphere.
The temple is open for worship from early morning until evening on various days, introducing a dress code for both locals and tourists while prohibiting photography inside to preserve its sanctity. Visitors continue to be captivated by its rich history and the spiritual ambiance that Gurukkal and his team cultivate.
Among those drawn to the temple are Heiko Seiffert and his wife Nicole from Germany. They visited the temple on October 17, expressing a deep appreciation for its cultural significance beyond mere sightseeing. “We want to know more about what’s behind a place we visit,” Heiko remarked, underscoring a common theme among many who seek to connect with the cultural roots of their destinations.
For Gurukkal, the temple transcends being just a place of worship; it embodies a beacon of culture, language, and community. He lauds the Sangam Fiji’s commitment to preserving cultural identity, particularly during the pandemic when they provided essential services like grocery distributions and medical camps.
“It’s not easy to keep our culture alive in today’s world, but Sangam Fiji has preserved it for the past 100 years and will continue to do so,” he emphasizes, linking the organization’s mission to its core values of transparency and community service.
As Sangam Fiji prepares to celebrate a century of existence, Gurukkal’s story highlights themes of devotion, migration, and cultural preservation, presenting a narrative that inspires hope for future generations. “Sangam has good leaders and the blessings of Lord Murugan to go for another 1000 years,” he asserts, portraying his journey from Tamil Nadu to Nadi as a testament to faith, heritage, and an enduring commitment to community enrichment.
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