Profvns
The freedom fighters that were kept in Cellular and other jails in Andaman settled there itself after their release. They were from all corners and cities of the main land of India. Thus its inhabitants are a kind of all India citizens. Later after independence many migrated from main land and some from Bangladesh. These settlees belong to several castes and religions and faiths. There are Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and of many other faiths. Each group have erected their temples, Mosques, Churches etc. Among Hindus devotees of several gods have built the temples of their choice gods. So also devotees of Lord Subrahmanya, popularly known as MURUGA, also got several temples. One such temple is at Car Nicobar. This temple is very beautifully constructed in Dravidian style. The images on the Gopuram are attractive. This is like any other temples in Tamil Nadu. I have visited one Sri Dhandayudapani Temple in Port Blair called Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple is found behind Rajbhavan called the governor’s palace, second is Sri Murugan Temples in North Andaman and third one is temple in Diglipur and fourth is at Mayabunder. There are other temples including Lord Ayyappa, Goddess Mariyamman and so on. The religious character of Andaman and Nicobar islands is very complex. Once you mingle with them you will come to know this group of Islands form themselves as Mini India. The aboriginals are now civilised, as you can see in any other metropolitan city. This is a mixture of people from all states living together like brothers and sisters in this union territory. Lord Muruga temple is found at place called Malaka in Car Nicobar. This temple is on the coastline. Tamil inhabitants and devotees of Muruga have built this shrine. Here the Lord is called Gnana Dhandayudapani. Peculiarly this place is populated with Christian tribes but a few Tamil families are said to be settled here. This is an ideal example of religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence.The another speciality I have seen here is that many people of different religion do attend pooja, bhajan and other functions in all the temples, churches and Masjid and Gurudwara.However the locally born persons in Andaman and Nicobar Islands belong to three religious groups namely Hindus, Muslims, Christian and other small communities. The important festivals like Good Friday, Shivarathri, Ram Navami, Krishna Janmashtami, and Eid –milad are celebrated by everyone. All the people, irrespective of religion, take part in each other's festivals. This is what I have seen while in Port Blair for about a fort night.Om Saraganabhava Guhaya Namah
