The Prem Sai Ashram, Ballito’s first dedicated Hindu prayer space opened to an excited group of over 200 devotees on Sunday.

Located in Ashley Park in the Ballito Business Park, the ashram was co-founded by Paul and Paris Naidoo with the help of many devotees within the Sai Centre. Those within the Sai Centre will no longer have to travel north or south of Ballito to pray.

“There has long been a need in Ballito for an ashram and we are grateful to everyone who made it possible,” said Paul, who donated the space. A group of around 100 devotees had been meeting fortnightly for two years in the Scout Hall at Townsend Park, but it was only a temporary solution.

“It was difficult to set up the hall for every meeting and we wanted something more permanent that could become a comfortable space for the community,” he said.

The ashram is set up in the image of Sathya Sai Baba and includes a shrine that mimics his main ashram in Puttaparthi, India. Sathya Sai Baba was a Hindu guru with millions of followers worldwide, including in South Africa, which ranks among the top countries by number of devotees.

“Sai Baba was as much a spiritual leader as he was a religious one. He was a universal teacher who embraced all,” said Paul.

Sathya Sai Baba preached love and acts of service (seva) and was instrumental in creating huge infrastructure projects for the benefit of communities across India. Projects include water infrastructure, hospitals and schools which continue to help millions, over a decade since Sathya Sai Baba withdrew his physical form in 2011. His lifelong seva has inspired generations of people around the world, including those in Ballito who follow his teachings.

“As part of our seva, we have also given back to the community of Tongaat who remain in desperate need of water. We distributed 450 five-litre water bottles to those in need last Saturday.”

The Prem Sai Ashram also fed members of the community during their opening on Sunday. The ashram will hold a weekly service from 7.45-9am on Sundays.

Paul thanked Pranay Roopnarain, who donated his construction services during the renovation over the past few months, as well as all devotees who helped to bring the ashram to life.

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