Paras Ramoutar
PORT OF SPAIN, TRINDAD, September 5, 2007: Approximately 100 pundits of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) on last Tuesday renewed their brahmanical vows at Manzanilla Beach, in the southeastern part of the country. Satnarayan Maharaj, secretary general, SDMS, told the pundits: “Today is a very important day, and this is an unique occasion when you meet. Today is also a day when pundits have to recharge their batteries. You are so busy, but you have to take some time off for this ceremony.” The ceremony originated in ancient India, but was traditionally performed in the privacy of the pundits’ homes. Two years ago the SDMS opted to make the ceremony a public one. Dhamacharya Pundit Uttam Maharaj chanted Vedic Mantras while the pundits did the ceremony. After the rituals, the pundits headed for the sea and took a dip of spiritual cleansing and changed the sacred thread. The ceremony was carried live on T&T’s only Hindu radio station, Radio Jaagriti, with Pundit Satyananad Maharaj narrating the proceedings.