The Aripo Datta Ganga lies along the Aripo Road. It was established by His Holiness Sri Swami Ganapathy Sachchidananda, Spiritual Leader of the Dattatreya Yoga Centre based in Mysore, India, who journeyed west in search of the holy river Sararipu Nadi, referenced in the ancient Hindu scripture, the Brahmananda Purana.
After 11 years of visiting rivers across several countries, Sri Swamiji made his first visit to Trinidad on August 12, 1976. Guided by his hosts, Dr Earl Chandool and Mr Anthony Alphonse, he travelled east of Arima to the Aripo River. Upon reaching the riverbank, he announced that this was indeed the long-sought Holy Sararipu River.
The river is believed to possess miraculous healing powers and has since been visited by thousands of people of all faiths.
Ten years later, Sri Swamiji returned, taking devotees further upstream to the river’s spiritual focal point—a place he said he had resided in a previous lifetime. This visit set in motion a series of events that led to the construction of a temple on the river’s northern bank. Building began in October 1989, and the temple was consecrated on March 10, 1990, as the Vana Shiva Mandira, meaning Lord Shiva Temple in the Forest.
Work continued at the site in 1993, including the carving of a staircase from the road to the river. Before that, the steep landscape caused many devotees to slip and slide on their way down to the temple. Between 1990 and 2006, numerous new buildings and facilities were added, including electricity—replacing the light of deyas once used by those who stayed overnight to read and perform rituals.
The most recent addition was a modern prayer hall, completed in 2011, which now allows devotees to perform pujas, kirtan, yoga, and the chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa in comfort.
Sri Swamiji has often reminded Trinidadian devotees of the blessing they hold at Aripo.
“You all are lucky, he said.
“You don’t have to travel to India to bathe in the Ganges. You have the Ganges flowing right here.”
