Schoolteacher Gayatri Maharaj has been doing her part to pass on Hindu traditions and culture to her children just as they were passed on to her by her mother, from one generation to the next,

“Really, the role of the woman is very important especially when it comes to upkeeping culture,” she said. “If the women don’t insist that their children be a part of it, everything falls down. That is what I am seeing, although there are some really strong men who know what they want for their families and would also direct,” she said in a candid interview from her home in Biche.

Maharaj and her husband, Pundit Rickie Maharaj, are the parents of two young adults and a teenager – Jyoti, a law student and author of two novels; Rajkamal, who is studying for accountancy qualifications; and Divya who will be sitting CSEC (form five exams) this year.

From birth, her children have been exposed to the Hindu traditions, embracing the spiritual enlightenment through their guru, the late Prof Hari Shankar Adesh, founder and director of Bharitiya Vidya Sanstthaan (BVS Institute of Indian Knowledge).

They have also mastered the Hindi language, play classical instruments and take an active role in the many festivals.

Her family also manages a school which teaches Hindi and classical music. Maharaj plays the harmonium and sitar. Her girls also play the harmonium and sing, and her son sings and plays the tabla.

[caption id="attachment_892457" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Gayatri Maharaj and her husband Rickie Maharaj on their wedding day. -[/caption]

“My husband also plays all those instruments and also sings.

"We all support each other, which is key to passing on traditions and maintaining the traditional lifestyle.

“We perform as a group with other disciples and since the lockdown we have been doing monthly

satsang (singing and discussions on topics affecting daily lives) via Zoom.”

Her family, she said, start and end their days with a natural routine of devotion, exercises, yoga and hearty vegetarian meals she learnt to make from both her mother and mother-in-law. She has learnt to combine both women's methods of preparation to produce her own unique taste.

While Hinduism is considered the oldest religion in the world, Maharaj believes the customs deeply rooted in TT are being slowly replaced by the strong influence of western culture.

She attributes this, in part, to the changing role of the Hindu woman from being a domestic creature to a professional working woman who is longer in the home.

[caption id="attachment_892456" align="alignnone" width="640"] The Maharaj family- from left, pundit Rickie Maharaj, his wife Gayatri, and their children - Rajkamal, Divya and Jyoti. -[/caption]

“Growing up in my home in Arima, there was always someone who was not working and at home to ensure that children do their morning and evening rituals and go to the temple.

“Now, with both parents working and women getting tied up with their jobs, there is no one to insist children maintain and follow the religious teaching