Arya Samaj in Fiji

The modern day Arya Samaj in Fiji still speaks out on issues affecting its members and its activities are visible through the numerous educational institutions that it manages.

With the arrival of Shiu Datt Sharma from India, in 1902, a temple was established in Samabula, near Suva, which also acted as a school attended by about 60 boys and girls.

He found employment at the Navua Sugar Mill, but visited Suva regularly where people interested in the teachings of Swami Dayanand Saraswati gathered at the residence of Mangal Singh.

[1] It was this small group of Fiji Indians who included Mangal Singh, Gaji Pratap Singh, Nanku Sonar, Bihari Lal, Shiu Datt Sharma, Basdeo Rai, Inayat Hussein, Indra Narayan and Tikaram Verma, who met in Samabula on 25 December 1904 to form the Arya Samaj of Fiji.

This was due to their desire to maintain their heritage and provide a platform for lifting their living standard and the inspiration they received from the teaching of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj.

Arya Samaj activities in Fiji reached a peak with the arrival of another missionary, Shri Krishna Sharma from India.