Trinidad & Tobago Plans to Build Grand Ram Mandir and Establish 'Ayodhya Nagari' in the Caribbean

Trinidad & Tobago, a small Caribbean nation with just 1.4 million residents and a predominantly Christian population (65%), is embarking on an ambitious plan to construct a grand Ram Mandir. This initiative aims to establish the country as a prominent spiritual and cultural center for Hinduism in the Caribbean region.

Despite having only 350,000 Hindu residents, Trinidad & Tobago has earned the nickname "Ramayana Country" for its preservation of Hindu traditions. The government has now voiced strong support for building an impressive Ram Mandir in Port of Spain, the nation's capital.

Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath confirmed that discussions are underway with religious leaders, including those who helped bring a Ram Lalla idol replica from Ayodhya earlier this year. "The Ram Lalla initiative is something that we welcome. It is something we support," Padarath stated.

This development follows a proposal by Prem Bhandari, founder of the Overseas Friends of Ram Mandir in New York, to create "Ayodhya Nagari" - a Hindu religious and spiritual center in Trinidad & Tobago. The center would serve North American devotees unable to travel to Ayodhya in India.

Bhandari presented his vision for creating a "mini Ayodhya" to Prime Minister Kamala Persad-Bissessar. The proposal gained momentum after the successful unveiling of a Ram Lalla idol replica from Ayodhya in May 2025, an event that attracted over 10,000 devotees and was organized jointly by Bhandari and Amit Alagh, chair of the Ayodhya Shri Ram Organisation in Trinidad & Tobago.

Minister Padarath emphasized that Trinidad & Tobago has become an important center for Hindus in the Caribbean. He noted that traditional practices like reciting the Bhagwata and Ramayana have been preserved across generations since their introduction by Indian indentured laborers in the 19th century.

According to Padarath, the planned Ram Mandir will serve multiple functions beyond being a place of worship. It will function as a cultural education center, a hub for spiritual activities, and a venue for community gatherings and festivals for future generations.