Tabia Garam Pani Shiv Mandir officially opens after redevelopment

Devotees of the Tabia Garam Pani Shiv Mandir outside Labasa Town now have a proper place of worship following the completion of a redevelopment project funded through the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs’ Community Grant Programme.

The official opening of the temple was held yesterday evening in Tabia, officiated by Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs Charan Jeath Singh, who highlighted the cultural and spiritual significance of the site, which has been regarded as sacred since the 1940s.

Mr Singh said the ministry provided $5,441.02 in assistance, while the community contributed additional funds and labour to make the project a reality.

He commended the Government and the ministry for their support through the Community Grant Programme.

The Tabia Shree Sanatan Dharam Sabha spearheaded the project, ensuring that the community now has a permanent and dignified space for worship.

“The ministry provided $5,441.02 in assistance and the community contributed additional funding and labour,” Mr Singh said.

“The temple redevelopment is among 202 projects completed in the last financial year under the ministry’s allocation.”

He said there was strong national interest in the community grant programme, which saw 1,062 applications in just one month this year.  

“Due to its success, the Government increased the allocation to $2 million in the current financial year,” he added.

Tabia Shree Sanatan Dharam Sabha committee member Anita Lal thanked the ministry and Mr Singh for their kind contribution.

“We had a temporary shelter erected for worship place but was unable to collect enough fund to build it to a proper standard,” Ms Lal said.

“Despite such challenges devotees continued to visit the temple as this is the only place in great area of Tabia where we have hot spring.”

She then explained the reason behind the name of the temple was due to the existing natural gift from God which was the hot spring.