The Hindoo Society Harare (HSH) in Zimbabwe is organizing “Vad Savitri Poonam” on June eight, which its announcement describes as a day when “women hold a fast and pray for their husband’s safety”.
It further elaborates the celebration as an occasion when “wives tie threads around a banyan tree and pray for the well-being of their husband. Women worship a banyan tree…Women give water to the tree, sprinkle red powder (kumkum) on it, and wrap cotton threads around tree’s trunks. Then they go seven times around the tree.” It will reportedly be held in the HSH complex in Ridgeview area of Harare.
HSH, a registered welfare organization whose history goes back to 1916, celebrated the 25th anniversary of majestic Shree Omkar Mandir in Ridgeview area of Harare on April 15-16.
This temple, completed in 1992, is the centerpiece for various spiritual activities for the Hindu community. Motto of HSH, which runs this temple, is: To promote and preserve the Hindu religious and cultural heritage and to strive for inter-religious harmony, understanding, and universal brotherhood.
HSH also runs Cameron Street Omkar Mandir (inauguration stone of which was laid in 1929), Westridge High School (“character building” is one of whose missions), Westridge Primary School, Gujarati School (foundation stone laid in1928), Mahila Mandal, Shishu Mandal and Yuvak Mandal. It conducts various bhajan events, twice-weekly yoga classes, Hindi lessons, cultural/social activities; organizes daily aarti at both the temples, Havan on Sundays; and offers funeral assistance for bereaved families; etc.
Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, commended efforts of HSH and Zimbabwe Hindu community towards realizing, maintain and running two Hindu temples and conducting various activities around these.
Gunvant Bhai Shah is HSH’s President. Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents.
In 1990, there were said to be about 3000 Hindus in this nation and Brahma Kumaris have several centers in Zimbabwe too. Know more by clicking here.
Yoga is also becoming popular in Zimbabwe
Reports suggest that there are over a dozen yoga studios and fitness-pilates studios/gyms/health-club/sports-club/wellness-centre offering yoga in Harare.
There are few yoga places/teachers in Bulawayo, yoga facilities in Mashonaland East, yoga opportunities in Victoria Falls area and sometimes the classes are held in Mutare. A “7 Days Luxury Yoga Safari in Zimbabwe” has been advertised from US$23,200, besides few other yoga safari offers. A lodge in Masvingo highlights “enough space in the living area to conduct a yoga class”, reports add.
The Art of Living reportedly has centers in Harare, Bulawayo and Kwekwe; while Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centres are in Harare and Bulawayo. The Hindoo Society Harare conducts twice-weekly yoga classes and there is Ananda Marga Zimbabwe Yoga Society. Embassy of India in Harare celebrated open-to-all International Day of Yoga in June last.
Landlocked Zimbabwe, between Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers and known for Victoria Falls, is described by Lonely Planet as “one of the safest, friendliest and most spectacular countries in Africa”.
