What to expect
The Arul Mihu Navasakthi Temple is the only Hindu temple in the Seychelles. It stands in Victoria on Mahé. Built in 1992, it is named after Lord Vinayagar, the Hindu god of safety and prosperity. Vinayagar is the Tamil name for Ganesha, the elephant-headed god who is revered as the remover of obstacles.
The temple catches the eye even from the street. Above the entrance rises a colourful gateway tower, the gopuram, built in the South Indian Dravidian style. It is decorated with numerous painted figures of deities and is said to be almost 100 feet high, around 30 metres. Inside is the inner sanctuary, where the statue of Vinayagar stands. The temple is rather small and is regarded as a replica of South Indian temples. It serves as the most important place of prayer and celebration for the Hindu community of the Seychelles.
Festivals and ceremonies
If you would like to see the temple at its liveliest, plan around the festival days. The dates follow the Hindu calendar and therefore change from year to year.
| Festival | Time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Kavadi (Thaipusam) | January or February | A procession of devotees carrying kavadi, decorated frames carried as a vow. Thaipusam is a restricted public holiday for Hindus. |
| Chariot procession | August or September | An evening procession with the main deity, Navasakthi Vinayagar, on a festival chariot. |
Getting there
The temple is on Quincy Street in the centre of Victoria, right next to the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market and close to the Victoria Clocktower. From anywhere in the town centre you can walk there.
By bus
Victoria is the hub of the bus network on Mahé, and routes run into the town from almost every coastal village. According to visitors' reports, buses stop very close to the temple. When you board, ask the driver which stop is nearest to the market.
By taxi or hire car
The centre is cramped and often busy. If you have a hire car, allow some extra time to find a parking space. A taxi is more convenient, especially if you are coming from a hotel on the coast. The temple combines well with a walk around the town.
Opening hours and admission
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 6.00 am to 12.00 noon and 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm
Other sources give slightly different times, for example opening only from 7 am or closing in the evening as early as 8.15 pm. If you want to be sure, come in the later morning or early evening. Between 12 noon and 5 pm the temple is closed.
According to the information available, entry is free (as of November 2026). The temple is funded by donations, and a small offering is welcome.
Duration, best time and tips
Other places worth seeing in the centre of Victoria are the Cathedral of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, St Paul's Cathedral, the National Museum of History and the Seychelles Natural History Museum. If you want to see the market at its liveliest, the best plan is to combine the temple and the market in the morning, when it is busiest there, and then return towards evening for prayer time.
