Experience the Magic
- The OB
- Sep 4, 2024
- 2 min read
After an exhausting but successful day of locations scouting, we were left with securing the wedding venue.
It was going to be our last stop, the excitement of day had long waned. Our driver made a quick sharp turn into a little tree lined road about 20 min out of town.
There nestled amongst the trees in Mount Edgecombe, Durban, South is a place of prayer and healing, known among devotees as the Sri Mariamman Temple. It’s sheer beauty rejuvenated my soul.
An enthusiastic Alan Govender met us at vehicle and ushered us in. This was going to be the wedding location, without a doubt!
I introduced myself as the Producer of Greytown Girl and Mr. Govender showed me around.
I was about to ask him about the venue hire and payment, when he interrupted asking about my parents and grandparents.
I explained and Mr. Govender without hesitation said “no charge”. I was so confused until I listened to his story in astonishment.
This glorious golden architectural work of art was originally started by an Indian Female indentured labourer named Velatchee in 1890.Velatchee had come upon a anthill. An anthill is believed be inhabited by a godly snake. Fearless and religious Velatchee decorated this mystical anthill and began her ritual prayer which caught the interest of the community members.
According Yoveshine Pillay of the Post Newspaper, Velatchee became the first female priest of the Temple.
The community found ways to build structures around this sacred anthill and the Sri Mariamman Temple was created. As indenture faded away over the years, community leaders, businessmen, professionals continued to build the Temple into the structure that it is today. One of them was my great grandfather Mr. Protab Singh who arrived on South African shores in 1897. His donations and sponsorships to the building of the Golden Dome of the Sri Mariamman Temple was his contribution to the community to maintain our Indian culture on foreign soil. His actions also impacted his sons, one of them being my grandfather Mr. CP Singh. My grandfather became a teacher and inspector of schools in the old Indian Affairs. His afternoons were spent at the Temple together with my grandmother Lilly Singh. They would teach illiterate members of the Mount Edgecombe community to read, write, do basic math and other skills that would assist them to gain an income.
Mr. Govender went on to show me a plaque in their name.
My ancestors wanting no praise or return for their efforts had no idea that generations who came after them would continue to be impacted by selfless actions. Not only was the Production of Greytown Girl blessed with a stunning wedding location but I came to a deep sense of gratitude for the people who came before me, their sacrifices and their blessings.
They say when you visit “The Peoples Temple” you are touched by it’s magic and I can prove that.
Go experience the magic for yourself and even give a little, because your great great grandchildren who you may never meet will one day be touched by your actions.
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