Pundit Munelal Maharaj of Trinidad, a Hindu spiritual leader, philosopher and philanthropist, will be in Durban next month for a "Hindu Renaissance".
He will visit temples in Shallcross, Phoenix, Newlands West and Reservoir Hills to speak on death, coping mechanisms and prayer.
At the age of 13, Maharaj became one of the youngest persons at the time to deliver a discourse on the Ramayana (the sacred book of Hinduism) and perform poojas (prayers).
"Pundit Maharaj is well known throughout the Western hemisphere and as far as South Africa as a dynamic motivational spiritual speaker and amazing singer," said Pundit Satish Maharaj, an officiating priest of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha.
"At 12 he embarked into a career as a pandit. After completing his academic studies, his desire led him to the Chinmaya Institute in India where he studied Hindu philosophy and texts, Sanskrit and Vedic chanting.
"Punditji inspires thousands worldwide on topics such as practical spirituality, positive living, and universality within all religions. His style is light and humorous but it is deeply spiritual and packed with philosophy and wisdom with implications to daily life. He is also a singer and musician.
"Punditji has travelled extensively and together with his wife Naveeta, they have published three Hindu handbooks. He has done more than 4 000 yajnas and over 2 000 wedding ceremonies. This is the 40th year that Punditji was initiated in his career as a Hindu priest."
Maharaj will be at the Shri Raam Mandir in Shallcross on March 4 at 6.30pm; the Foresthaven Hindu Dharma Sabha in Phoenix on March 5 at 7pm; the Hillgrove Vishnu Shakti Mandir in Newlands West the following day at 7pm; and the Reservoir Hills Hindu Seva Samaj on March 7 and 8 at 7pm.
For more information, call Pundit Satish Maharaj at 084 477 9151.