Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

Making waves in Mauritius

Special Correspondent

Acharya Partha Sarathi

HYDERABAD : At first glance, 44-year-old Acharya Brundavanam Partha Sarathi would pass off as any ordinary priest heading a Hindu temple in India. Attired in a typical white dhoti, sporting tilak and flowing hair, Partha Sarathi's presence at the fourth edition of the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Divas drew curious glances.

For the devout Hindu priest, Mauritius, the beautiful island nation has become a new home after he migrated from the temple town of Tirupati. A science graduate from Sri Venkateswara University, Acharya Partha

Sarathi, had a chance meeting with a high-level ministerial delegation from Mauritius that visited the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirumala, 14 years ago.

Modest beginning

The meeting opened up new avenue for him as the delegation invited him to come and set up a temple there.

The Government allotted one and half acre prime land in Curepipe and he made a modest beginning by establishing the Swamy Srinivasacharya Badarika Ashramam under the aegis of Hari Hara Devasthanam.

Since then, he has relentlessly tried to popularise the Hindu dharma, the richness of Indian culture and its languages. "A striking contrast in Mauritius is that ethnic Indians hailing from different regions of India have separate temples on linguistic basis. My aim is to bring all the linguistic groups together under one roof. The Swamy Srinivasacharya Badarika Ashramam is one such attempt," Acharya Partha Sarathi said.

"A five-member delegation led by three Mauritius Ministers of Indian Origin led by Anil Kumar Bichoo are attending the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas," he said and pointed out that they would meet the Andhra Pradesh Minister and officials of TTD to seek financial support. "A lot of Indian people from Madagascar and other African countries visit Mauritius and love beautiful Indian temples."

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