The Then India Sanmarga Ikya (TISI) Sangam has opened its centennial year with a series of historic events across Fiji, capped by the re-establishment of a replica temple at the organisation’s original Nadi site where it was founded on May 24, 1926, TISI national president Parveen Kumar said.
“Among the most significant has been the establishment of a replica temple at the original site of the Nadi Siva Subramanyan Temple, where Sangam was founded on May 24, 1926,” Mr Kumar said, describing the site as “a place of profound shared history.” He added the location has for decades been a focal point of spiritual and cultural life tied closely to the Vanua of Nadi, and the replica aims to preserve that connection for future generations.
The centennial activities were staged both at the original site and at the modern Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple in Nadi, which Mr Kumar described as “the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.” Celebrations included interwoven programmes of prayers, cultural performances and community gatherings that organisers say were intended to link the Sangam’s early history with its contemporary presence and work.
The festivities formally kicked off with a three-day gathering at Prince Charles Park in Nadi that drew more than 1,000 Sangam members and supporters from around Fiji and overseas. Organisers said the camp-style programme brought together devotees, community leaders and cultural performers for devotional services, traditional music and dance, and meetings focused on the Sangam’s social and cultural priorities during its 100th year.
TISI Sangam traces its origins to Sadhu Kuppuswamy, who established the organisation in May 1926 to uplift and unite Fiji’s South Indian community. Over the decades the Sangam has become a pillar of Tamil cultural and religious life in Fiji, sponsoring temples, schools and social activities that maintain language, ritual and community links. The replica at the original Nadi site is being presented by the national leadership as a tangible reminder of those roots.
Mr Kumar framed this year’s program as more than ceremony, saying the twin-site approach — combining the historic original site with the large, centrally located Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple — symbolises continuity between the Sangam’s founding mission and its present-day role. “They are held at both the original site and the new Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple … representing continuity between past and present,” he said.
The centennial events follow earlier Sangam activities this year that began in Rakiraki as part of a nationwide lead-up to the 100th anniversary. Organisers have indicated that further commemorations and community projects are planned through the centennial year to celebrate the organisation’s contribution to Fiji’s multicultural landscape and to strengthen ties with members living overseas.
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