More than 400 devotees gathered at the Shiri Venkatesh Perumal and Marriamman Kovils (temple) at Solovi, Nadi on Friday night to mark its centennial anniversary.

Minister for Youth and Sports, Parveen Bala, congratulated the committee and its members for coming a long way since 1920.

“During this difficult year, Fiji and Fijians have been sustained by their faith, resilience and sense of community,” he said.

Mr Kumar added that the Solovi Temple over the years had been a source of faith.

“It has provided through prayers and ceremonies the resilience to the community and brought people together. Alongside this short history of the temple, we must mention that many others in the community have also made contributions to the Solovi Temple,” he said.

He added by coming together in this place of worship as one, they have demonstrated that they have a place in their hearts for the temple and what it represents.

The minister paid tributes to the founders who were a group of indentured labourers including the late, Chinappa Naidu.

Mr Naidu came from North Arcot in Tamil Naidu, India in the 1900. He occupied a 100 acres of land in Solovi near Mulomulo where he cultivated variety of crops including sugar cane.

“It is very hard to see people who would donate their wealth for a good cause,” he said.

The committee also salutes Pujari Gopal Mistry Palgan, 43 for his sacrifice at the temple head priest since 1977.

The two-day celebration ends today.

Edited by Selita Bolanavanua

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