Overview
Fiji boasts a diverse religious landscape, featuring Christians, Eastern Indians of Hindu and Islamic backgrounds, along with a significant community of Chinese and Buddhists. This rich tapestry of beliefs creates a genuine religious ‘melting pot’ in one location.
Although many view Fiji primarily as a ‘Christian’ nation, a strong emphasis on tolerance prevails. Suva, with its larger population, serves as an ideal environment for various faiths to coexist peacefully. This harmony is reflected in their shared embrace of the ‘Bula’ spirit, characterized by warm smiles and welcoming South Pacific hospitality. Let’s take a brief look at some of the prominent religious beliefs and institutions found in Suva.
Venue Listings
Indian Temples (‘Mandir’)
Overview: In a population of approximately 880,000, around 48% are of Indian descent, with 22% identifying as Hindus. Suva is the heart of the Indian community in Fiji, featuring over 20 temples in close proximity. These vary from small, privately owned Mandirs to larger ones constructed by local Hindu organizations. Each temple is meticulously maintained, and special prayers are offered each morning to dispel any negative energies or impurities that may have accumulated overnight. This daily ritual is observed by all practitioners of Hinduism.
Visiting these sacred spaces is regarded as a privilege and a deeply spiritual experience. The interiors are always kept pristine, and it is customary for visitors to refrain from consuming meat beforehand. Shoes must be removed before entering, women are expected to cover their heads, and everyone should dress respectfully. While traditional Indian clothing is not mandatory, it’s wise to confirm appropriate attire beforehand. The Sri Radha Golokabihari Temple, also known as the Hare Krishna Temple, is a stunning example located just outside the city on Brewster Street.
ISKCON Fiji features four main temples, one of which is the Sri Radha Golokabihari Temple located in Suva, the capital city. This temple was inaugurated in late 2004 with grand celebrations lasting three days, welcoming hundreds of visitors from both local and international backgrounds who enjoyed a delicious feast. With daily arati and bhoga offerings occurring five times a day, the temple maintains a high standard of deity worship.
Srila Prabhupada first set foot in Fiji in 1974 while traveling to Hawaii. He met Vasudev Prabhu, then known as Deoji Punja, in the transit lounge of Nadi Airport. Inspired by the positive changes he observed among ISKCON devotees in Australia, Vasudev Prabhu was eager to meet this influential leader. After learning about Srila Prabhupada’s visit to Fiji, he and his wife met him at the airport. During their brief encounter, Srila Prabhupada inquired about the presence of a Radha Krishna temple in Fiji. Upon learning that there was none, he urged Vasudev Prabhu to establish one. Vasudev Prabhu later shared that when Srila Prabhupada blessed him by placing his hands on his head, he felt an overwhelming sense of purification.
Vasudev Prabhu dedicated himself to building the temple, leading to the establishment of the Sri Sri Krishna Kaliya Temple in Lautoka, which officially opened in 1977, while he was residing there.
As ISKCON’s outreach grew in Fiji, Vasudev Prabhu coordinated with Srila Prabhupada to invite Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaj for regular preaching in Fiji. Under his impactful guidance, many people embraced Krishna Consciousness, particularly in Lautoka, where the temple served as a focal point. Following Goswami Maharaj’s suggestion to expand the movement in Suva, Vasudev Prabhu relocated his family there in 1979, leaving behind a comfortable life in Lautoka. He committed to spreading Krishna Consciousness in Suva, facing the challenge of securing funding. Drawing from his successful business background, he opened a small takeaway that offered sanctified vegetarian food. The popularity of the delicious meals led to the establishment of a full-fledged vegetarian restaurant, followed by the highly popular Hare Krishna natural ice creams. As the devotee community grew, the need for a temple became evident. In 1997, land was purchased on Brewster Street, and plans for the temple complex were developed in late 2001. Construction began in May 2002, and after two and a half years and an investment of over $3 million, the project was completed.
[Excerpt from the message by HG Parsuram Das, Chairman of ISKCON Fiji, at the temple opening]
Temple Facts and Figures: The Sri Radha Golokabihari Temple complex consists of three buildings and accommodates up to 60 vehicles in its parking area, built at a cost of three million Fijian dollars.
Main Building: The temple can hold 700 people, featuring two stunning chandeliers that enhance its all-white, gleaming ceiling. The exquisite marble deities, carved in India, include Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Srila Prabhupada, and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada, along with the presiding deities Sri Sri Radhagolokabihari, Lalita and Vishaka sakhis, as well as Sri Sri Sita Rama, Lakshman, and Bhakta Hanumanji. The complex also includes two administrative offices, a gift shop, a courtyard, and a deity kitchen.
Adjacent to the temple is the KKM Trust Multi-Purpose Hall, which seats 450 people. This hall is designed for various functions, including dining, weddings, dramas, and competitions. It is equipped with a dressing room, storage space, and a large kitchen for Sunday feasts.
At the far end of the complex stands a two-story accommodation block for resident devotees, featuring 12 apartments with hot water and laundry facilities. Additionally, there is a small area designated for sports activities such as volleyball, badminton, and tennis.
Sikh Temples
Overview: A small segment of the Indian community in Fiji consists of Punjabis, and the only Sikh Temple in Suva is located in the residential area of Samabula. Perched on a hill amid beautifully landscaped gardens and a gently sloping lawn, this one-story whitewashed structure features a small garden at its entrance, where visitors are required to wash their feet before entering. Sikhs have played a vital role in various sectors across Fiji, particularly in farming, and have made significant contributions as prison officers, police, and army trainers. Established in 1923, this gurdwara is the first of its kind in the South Pacific.
Similar to Hindu temples, visitors to the gurdwara must cover their heads, and there is a practice of seating men and women separately. Sikh temples have been established in areas of Fiji with a significant Sikh population, serving not only as places of worship but also as community centers that provide food and shelter for those in need. The first Sikh temple in Fiji was built in Samabula (near Suva) in 1922 to meet the needs of new Sikh migrants.
Suva Fiji Temple
Overview: The Suva Fiji Temple, dedicated on June 18, 2000, serves as a vital spiritual center for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called Mormons) in Melanesia, marking the 91st temple in operation. The groundbreaking ceremony, led by Elder Earl M. Monson on May 8, 1999, signified a new era for local members who previously had to travel considerable distances to access temple services. Nestled on a scenic hillside, the temple is crafted from snow-white granite sourced from Italy and features a prominent spire crowned with an angel Moroni statue. Inside, it houses several ordinance rooms, reflecting the temple’s role in fostering family and community ties.
After undergoing significant renovations due to water damage, the temple was rededicated on February 21, 2016, by President Henry B. Eyring. The event attracted approximately 22,000 visitors during its open house, despite the looming threat of Tropical Cyclone Winston. The temple’s design elements draw inspiration from Fiji’s vibrant landscapes, with features like a baptismal font made of Navonna Travertine and art glass showcasing local flora. Since its inception, the Suva Fiji Temple has symbolized the Church’s growth in the region, beginning with the first missionaries’ arrival in 1953.
Nailili Church
Overview: Nestled in the beautiful Rewa Delta, Nailili Church stands on the outskirts of Suva City, close to Nausori. This charming Catholic Church resembles a smaller, simpler version of Norway’s Nidarosdomen Cathedral. Its striking stained glass windows, likely imported from abroad, add a vibrant touch to the interior. While the church has seen better days and is currently in a state of decay, with a crumbling roof and worn foundations, it continues to serve the local community as a place of worship.
Centenary Methodist Church
Overview: The Centenary Methodist Church in Suva stands as a testament to the deep roots of Methodism in Fiji, dating back to the arrival of the first missionaries in 1835. Although these missionaries aimed to convert the entire nation to Christianity, they faced strong competition from the existing beliefs of many indentured Indians. Over time, Methodism gained a foothold, particularly among the Fijian population, and today, Methodists constitute nearly 40% of Fiji’s populace, playing a crucial role in the country’s social fabric. The church’s impressive Roman-inspired architecture reflects this significant cultural shift.
Announced in 1935 during celebrations marking a century since the first Wesleyan missionaries arrived, the Centenary Methodist Church opened its doors in 1954. This period marked a pivotal moment in the church’s history, which included the establishment of an Indo-Fijian branch in 1901 and a united synod between Indian and Fijian representatives in 1946. Notably, the church was built on the current site after initial plans to construct it on Butt Street were abandoned. The foundation stone was laid by Ratu George Cakobau in 1953, leading to a grand opening attended by Rev. Dr. George Calvert Barber. The event was celebrated with immense enthusiasm, featuring a feast and a service that lasted through the night. In 1964, the Fijian Methodist Church achieved independence from Australia, culminating in a new constitution and the election of Reverend Setareki Tuilovoni as its first indigenous president.
Sacred Heart Cathedral
Overview: The Sacred Heart Cathedral, located on Pratt Street in Suva, is the largest church in the city and serves as the headquarters for the Catholic Archdiocese of Suva. Built in 1902, it is part of the global Roman Catholic Church led by the Pope, with approximately 10% of Fiji’s population identifying as Catholic. The cathedral’s impressive architecture features a European design with sandstone blocks imported from Australia, high arched ceilings, and beautiful stained glass windows, including a striking central window that depicts a bilo cup beneath the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Construction of the cathedral began in 1894, following the purchase of the site by Reverend Dr. Julian Vidal, Fiji’s first Roman Catholic bishop. Despite various challenges, including a bubonic plague outbreak in Sydney that halted imports, the main structure was completed by 1902. However, financial constraints delayed the addition of the towers, which were finally constructed in 1939. Major renovations led by Archbishop Petero Mataca began in 1993, enhancing the cathedral further. The completed cathedral was dedicated in 1994, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Marist Mission in Fiji, with the ceremony led by His Eminence Jozef Cardinal Tomko, a representative of Pope John Paul II. In 2014, Archbishop Emeritus Petero Mataca was entombed in the crypt, adding to the cathedral’s rich historical legacy.
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