The temple’s resident priest, Guru Rajesh Subramanian, and the temple’s chairperson, Govan Naicker, stand outside the temple which is currently being refurbished.
Image: Nadia Khan
For nearly four decades, the Stonebridge Mariammen Temple in Phoenix has not only served as a sacred site for spiritual reflection, but has also become a vital hub for community outreach and support.
The temple, in Cardinal Road in Stonebridge, was the first to be built in Phoenix, after a large number of people from various parts of Durban moved to the newly-established township in 1976.
Govan Naicker, the temple’s chairperson, said the temple was established after a dedicated group of community members saw the need for a place of worship in Phoenix.
“Led by the now late Larry Moonsamy, the now late RE Naidoo, Sam Naidoo and Nad Moodley, the community started the Phoenix Temple Society in 1977. Mr Moonsamy, and Mr Naidoo opened up their homes to the community, to host services and meetings.
“Later, when the Durban City Council (now eThekwini Municipality) started allocating land for worship sites, the society, as representatives of the community, approached them and selected the current site.
“In 1984, after purchasing the land, they built the first temple – initially using reeds and palm leaves, and thereafter a wooden frame covered by canvas. This became the first temple built in Phoenix, and since then it has held various festivals such as Kavady, Shivarathri and the Amman Prayers. They thereafter built the current temple using concrete. It was officially opened in October, 1991,” he said.
he temple was rebuilt using concrete and officially opened in 1991.
Image: Supplied
Naicker said thousands of devotees attend the festivals and prayers throughout the year.
“At the Thai Poosam Kavady in January this year, there were over 500 devotees per day over nine days, and over 2,000 on the main day of the observance. Close to 2,000 devotees attended the Shivarathri festival. The temple is very active, and stands as a beacon of spiritual upliftment in the community,” he said.
Naicker said the temple was also involved in extensive community outreach programmes.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic, the unrest in 2021, and the floods in 2022, the temple served as a collection hub for donations such as food and water. People from Johannesburg, Cape Town and locally sent items, which were kept in containers on the temple premises, and distributed to the community.
“We continue our outreach programmes by providing hot meals, food hampers and even clothing to the community. Our outreach is also extended to every one, irrespective of faith,” he said.
The Stonebridge Mariammen Temple was the first to be built in Phoenix. The original temple was made using reeds and palm leaves, and thereafter a wooden frame covered by canvas.
Image: Supplied
Naicker said the temple was currently under refurbishment.
“We are currently extending the temple, as well as refurbishing our resident priest’s quarters. We still continue with all prayers. Our resident priest, Guru Rajesh Subramanian, conducts all the prayers and weddings at the temple, serving devotees from Phoenix and the surrounding areas.
“We also intend on extending our programmes at the temple. We currently host tabla classes. Once the refurbishments are complete, we would like to start classes in harmonium, Thamizh, and dance,” he said.
He said the society was also in the process of building a multicultural centre.
“It will be a 1000-seater hall where functions such as weddings, birthday parties and ceremonies, among other events, can be held at a reasonable cost.”
Naicker said they were grateful to their devotees and business people for their contributions towards the operations and refurbishment of the temple.
“It is through their generosity and support that our dream for the temple to serve the community, has come to fruition. We are thankful.”