HINDU TEMPLE – ARUL MIHU NAVASAKTHI VINAYAGAR
The only Hindu temple in the Seychelles, a riot of colour in the middle of Victoria. Its carved and painted tower rises over the little capital, a living reminder of the islands’ Tamil community.
Colour in the capital
Right in the heart of Victoria, on Quincy Street a short walk from the clock tower, stands the most colourful building in the Seychelles. The Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar temple is the only Hindu temple in the country, and its gopuram, the tiered gateway tower crowded with brightly painted figures of gods and mythical creatures, is impossible to miss against the calm colonial streets around it.
The temple was built at the start of the 1990s to serve the islands’ Tamil Hindu community, whose roots here reach back generations, and it is dedicated to Vinayagar, the elephant-headed god better known as Ganesha, remover of obstacles. It is a working place of worship, not a museum, and that living use is a large part of what makes it worth seeing.
Visiting with respect
Visitors are generally welcome to admire the temple and, with courtesy, to look inside outside of the main rituals. As in any active temple, modest dress is expected, shoes are removed before entering, and photography inside should be checked first and always done quietly and respectfully. During festivals, especially the great fire-walking and chariot celebrations, the temple and the streets around it come vividly alive.
It takes only a few minutes to see, and it fits perfectly into a wander around central Victoria alongside the market and the clock tower. Few things say more about the mixed Creole, African, European and Asian heritage of the Seychelles than this small, brilliant temple in the middle of town.
Know before you go
| Where | Quincy Street, central Victoria, Mahe |
| Built | Early 1990s, the only Hindu temple in the Seychelles |
| Dedicated to | Vinayagar, the god Ganesha, remover of obstacles |
| Etiquette | Modest dress, remove shoes to enter, ask before photographing inside |
| Cost | Free, a working temple in the heart of town |
| Time to allow | A short stop, longer during festivals |
| Pairs with | The market, clock tower and old town of Victoria |
What visitors say
★ 4.4 · 655 Google reviews★★★★★We visited on a Sunday, and it was pleasantly uncrowded, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The atmosphere was calm, peaceful, and quiet, providing a perfect environment for prayer and reflection. During our …
VEENA NAMBYAR · via Google
★★★Nice temple for Hindu religion people. It is smaller than expected but draws a big crowd. There were people inside and outside both looking at the architectural details. Must take off shoes if you want to visit inside.
Tas A · via Google
★★★★★Nice, peaceful and beautiful temple. A must visit.
Swati Agrawal · via Google
★★★★★the temple very nice. all the place full with different kind of statue that the local paring inside 15 min for tour there and see how they pray The smell of incense is strong the entrance is free. #Seychelles #mahe
Itzik levy (Izikl) · via Google
The temple is one of the bright highlights of a walk through the capital, alongside the market, the clock tower and the cathedral. Stay in Victoria to explore the old town on foot.
See the capital on footPrivate Victoria city walking tourfrom €69 per groupBook this tourTours via Viator, stays via Booking.com. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Victoria Clock Tower · Sir Selwyn-Clarke Market · St Paul’s Cathedral
Combine it with the market one street over. Ten minutes at the temple and a wander through the fish and fruit stalls gives you the fullest, most colourful sense of everyday Victoria in one short walk.
