International Relations

PM Modi visits Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple in Seychelles

By TestNeeti Editorial TeamPublished Thursday, 2 July 2026 2 min readSource: GKTodayArticle 10 of 21

The Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple is a Hindu temple in Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, constructed in 1992 by the Hindu community and dedicated to Lord Vinayagar (Lord Ganesha). Located on Mahé, the main island, it is the only Hindu temple in Seychelles and serves the island nation's Hindu community. The temple follows Dravidian architectural style, and its entrance tower, or gopuram, rises to nearly 100 feet with multicoloured sculptural details. It hosts the Kavadi Festival in January or February and the Hindu Chariot Procession in August or September, and the Government of Seychelles grants Hindus a limited holiday on Thaipoosam day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the temple in late June 2026 during a three-day State visit to Seychelles, also interacting with the Indian diaspora in Victoria.

Key Facts & Details

9 points

1
The Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple is located in Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, on Mahé island.
2
It was constructed in 1992 and is dedicated to Lord Vinayagar (Lord Ganesha).
3
It is the only Hindu temple in Seychelles and serves the country's Hindu community.
4
The temple follows Dravidian architectural style, with a gopuram rising nearly 100 feet.
5
It hosts the Kavadi Festival (January/February) and the Hindu Chariot Procession (August/September).
6
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the temple in late June 2026 during a three-day State visit to Seychelles.

Deep Dive

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The Government of Seychelles grants Hindus a limited holiday on Thaipoosam day.
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Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, is located on Mahé Island; the Hindu diaspora there forms part of the Indian community in the Indian Ocean region.
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Dravidian temple architecture is common in South Indian Hindu temples and uses a prominent gopuram.

Exam Focus

Examiners may ask the country where the Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple is located (Seychelles), its capital (Victoria), or the architectural style (Dravidian).

Exam Relevance & Angle

The temple visit underscores India-Seychelles cultural and diaspora ties in the strategically important Indian Ocean region. PM Modi's three-day State visit reinforces India's engagement with small island nations, its maritime outreach, and its enduring connections with the global Hindu diaspora across the Indian Ocean.

Target Exams

UPSC CSEState PCSSSC CGLRRB NTPC

Background & Context

Seychelles is an archipelagic nation in the western Indian Ocean, with its capital Victoria on Mahé island. It shares close maritime security and development ties with India, which regards the Indian Ocean island states as key partners under its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. The Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple, built in 1992 in Dravidian style, reflects the presence of the Indian-origin community and Tamil cultural traditions in Seychelles. Gopurams — ornate gateway towers — are a hallmark of South Indian temple architecture.