Satnarayan Maharaj | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Secretary General of theSanatan Dharma Maha Sabha | |
| In office 1977 – 16 November 2019 | |
| Dharmacharya | Pt. Dr. Rampersad Parasram(5 May 2019 – 16 November 2019)[3] Pt. Uttam Maharaj(30 April 2005-d. 29 November 2018)[4][5] Pt. Krishna Maharaj(1986-2003)[6] Pt. Sahadeo Persad Dubay Sharma(d. 1986)[7][8] |
| Upadharmacharya | Pt. Ganpat Maharaj[9] |
| President General | Pt. Krishna Rambally(2018-16 November 2019) Pt. Uttam Maharaj(30 April 2005-d. 29 November 2018) D. Omah Maharajh Thirbhowan Seegobin |
| Vice Secretary | Vijay Maharaj[10] |
| Preceded by | Simbhoonath Capildeo[1] |
| Succeeded by | Vijay Maharaj[2] |
| Trustee of theCentral Vishva Hindu Parishad | |
| In office 26 January 2011[11] – 26 January 2014 | |
| Assistant Secretary of theSanatan Dharma Maha Sabha | |
| In office 1972[12]–1977 | |
| President of the Caroni East Indian Association Youth Arm | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Satnarayan Maharaj (1931-04-17)17 April 1931[13] |
| Died | 16 November 2019(2019-11-16) (aged 88) |
| Party | Democratic Liberation Party (1971) |
| Spouse | [16] |
| Children | Vijay Maharaj (son) Vindra Maharaj (son) Vidya Satnarayan Maharaj (son, deceased) Vimala Tota-Maharaj (daughter) Sati Maharaj (daughter, deceased) Deviyani Gobin (daughter, deceased)[17] |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Bhadase Sagan Maraj (father-in-law) Deolatia Maharaj (paternal grandmother)[18] Pt. Changa Maharaj (paternal grandfather) Pt. Rampartap Misir (maternal grandfather) |
| Residence(s) | Champ Fleurs,San Juan–Laventille, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Education |
|
| Nickname(s) | Sat Maharaj Hanuman ji of Trinidad TheBengal Tiger[19] The Big Boss |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Sect | Sanātanī |
| Religious career | |
| Guru | Pt. Krishna Maharaj |
| Awards | Chaconia Medal |
Satnarayan MaharajCM, also known asSat Maharaj, (pronounced[sət̪ənɑːrɑːjəɳəməɦɑːrɑːɟə]; 17 April 1931 – 16 November 2019)[20] was aTrinidadian and TobagonianHindu religious leader, educationalist, and civil rights activist inTrinidad and Tobago. He was theSecretary-General of theSanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, a majorHindu organisation in Trinidad and Tobago and the widerCaribbean.[21]
The Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha operates 150mandirs and over 50 schools in Trinidad and Tobago. It was formed in 1952 whenBhadase Sagan Maraj, the father-in-law of Satnarayan Maharaj, engineered the merger of the Satanan Dharma Association and the Sanatan Dharma Board of Control. An affiliated group, the Pundits' Parishad, has 200 affiliated pundits. The organisation's headquarters are located in St. Augustine.[citation needed]
Under the Secretary General Satnarayan Maharaj, the Maha Sabha has modernised all 42 schools and built 5 secondary schools as well as 12 early childhood educational centres. Maharaj has also revived the observance ofPhagwah and was instrumental in the creation of theIndian Arrival Day holiday and annual celebrations. The Maha Sabha also introduced a Children's Cultural Festival - Baal Vikaas Vihar.[22]
Sat Maharaj: Hindu Civil Rights Leader of Trinidad & TobagoISBN 978-976-8249-70-8