HPI
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, April 26, 2009: Trinidad and Tobago celebrated an unusual puja last Sunday. The “Balka or Volcano Puja” takes place annually at the Columbia Estate on the southwestern peninsula, on the site of an existing volcano. It is ritualistically observed in the month of April.
Unconfirmed reports state that this Puja has been taking place for well over 120 years or four generations. According to one villager, the Balka Puja is performed to “Shanti Karo,” the volcano deva. Durga is also worshiped.
“Stream of Hindus took the long trek to worship and make offerings, and a powerful Durga Puja was performed. Over the years, the number of participants has increased tremendously; the numbers keep inflating”, Ashram B.Maharaj, a spokesman for the organising committee, said.