Shri Luxmi Narayan Temple to celebrate 30 years of Akhanda Bhajan in Mobeni Heights

THIS year, the Shri Luxmi Narayan Temple of Mobeni Heights will mark a significant spiritual milestone: the 30th anniversary of its Akhanda Bhajan, a 12-hour uninterrupted festival of bhajans and kirtans, which will be held on February 8. 

For three decades, this sacred observance has stood as a living testament to faith, devotion, and community, uniting generations of devotees through the continuous chanting of the Divine Name.

The Akhanda Bhajan at the temple was initiated in 1995 by the temple’s spiritual head, the late Pundit HR Maharajh. A visionary and forward-thinking spiritual leader, Pundit Maharajh understood the transformative power of collective devotion. His foresight ensured that the Akhanda Bhajan would not merely be an event, but a spiritual legacy, one that continues to nurture Sanathan Dharma in South Africa long after his physical departure.

"Through this sacred offering, he gifted the community a powerful means of spiritual upliftment, unity, and remembrance of God. The Shri Luxmi Narayan Temple itself holds a distinguished place in the history of Durban’s Hindu community," said by Pundit, Dr Lokesh Maharajh. 

"Originating in the early 20th century as part of the Clairwood Hindu Young Men’s Association, the temple was later relocated to Mobeni Heights in the 1970s due to forced removals under apartheid. Since then, it has flourished as a religious, cultural, and educational hub hosting festivals, sathsangh, language classes, and daily worship while preserving Hindu traditions in a changing social landscape.

"Central to this spiritual life is the Akhanda Bhajan, held annually on the first Sunday of February. This 12-hour uninterrupted festival of bhajans and kirtans transforms the temple into a sacred space filled with divine vibrations. Devotees gather to sing, listen, and immerse themselves in prayer, creating an atmosphere charged with devotion, harmony, and peace.

"A bhajan, literally meaning 'sharing', is far more than devotional music. It is an expressionof love for the Divine, drawn from scriptures, epics, and the teachings of saints. When sung with sincerity, bhajans purify the mind, sanctify the environment, and uplift both singer and listener. As scriptures and saints remind us, in the Kali Yuga, there is no greater spiritual practice than chanting the Lord’s name.

"The vibrations created by such chanting are believed to permeate the ether, purifying the atmosphere and leaving a lasting spiritual imprint. The Akhanda Bhajan is not performed for any single individual or community alone. It is offered for the welfare of humanity as a whole. When bhava (feeling), raga (melody), and tala (rhythm) unite with the purity of thought, word, and deed, devotion becomes transformative. It is this depth of spiritual consciousness that Pundit HR Maharajh envisioned and instilled in this sacred tradition." 

For more information on the event, call Pundit V Singh on 068 083 4680 or S Sewnarain: on 081 546 5124. 

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