A Caribbean country is planning to build a grand Ram Mandir, on the lines of one in Ayodhya, to establish an ‘Ayodhya Nagri’ of their own. The small island nation of Trinidad and Tobago is considering plans to establish a Ram Mandir in its capital city. The country, with this step, is aiming to propagate its image as a cultural and spiritual hub for Hinduism in the Western Hemisphere, reported ANI.
The country’s Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath said the island nation is often referred to as “Ramayana country”, and added that the government is in strong support of the initiative. He mentioned that discussions were held with religious leaders, including representatives who facilitated the arrival of 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 said, while emphasising the nation’s unique role in preserving Hindu traditions outside India.
Creation of ‘Ayodhya Nagari’ in Trinidad and Tobago
The minister elaborated the plans and mentioned the government was actively exploring ways to advance the temple project. He said that the entire plan is being viewed as both a spiritual endeavour and a potential tourism draw for the twin-island nation.
Meanwhile, Prem Bhandari, founder of the Overseas Friends of Ram Mandir in New York, has proposed the creation of an “Ayodhya Nagari”—a Hindu spiritual and cultural hub for devotees in North America as they may not be able to travel to the holy city of Ayodhya in India, the ANI report mentioned.
Bhandari said the proposal has already been presented to Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Notably, this comes months after a replica of the Ram Lalla idol from Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir was unveiled in Trinidad in May 2025. The ceremony was jointly organised by Bhandari and Amit Alagh, chairperson of the Ayodhya Shri Ram Organisation in Trinidad and Tobago, and witnessed thousands of devotees.
Hindu traditions in Trinidad and Tobago
Speaking on the development, Minister Padarath emphasised that Trinidad and Tobago has become a “mecca” for Hindu religious expression in the Caribbean, adding that traditions like Bhagwat Katha and Ramayan recitations have been preserved for generations here since the arrival of Indian indentured labourers in the 19th century.
“A lot of the cultural and religious expression of India—through Hinduism in particular—has been maintained and kept alive here,” he added, quoted ANI.
Stressing that the project is an opportunity to promote religious tourism, he mentioned that several “major announcements” regarding the Ram Mandir are expected in the coming months.
The announcement was made around Diwali, which is a public holiday in Trinidad and Tobago.