This special report focuses on Trinidad and Tobago’s plan to construct a Ram Mandir in its capital, Port of Spain, to honour its Hindu heritage and position itself as a spiritual hub in the Western Hemisphere. The government, through Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath, has announced its firm support for what is being called the ‘Ram Lalla initiative’. According to Minister Padarath, ‘The Ram Lalla initiative is something that we welcome. It is something we support’. This development follows the arrival of a replica of the Ram Lalla idol from Ayodhya in May 2025, which drew over 10,000 devotees. The proposed temple aims to serve the country’s significant Hindu population, which comprises about 18% of its citizens, and also to promote cultural education and spiritual tourism.
