International spiritual leader Pundit Munelal Maharaj returns to South Africa to perform the one-year memorial ceremony for a devoted follower who helped bring his teachings to thousands.

Maharaj, who is formerly from Trinidad and Tobago, had visited South Africa 15 times in the past 20 years to give free seminars on God and motivation.

Premilla Devi Birjanund, was one of his sponsors.

She brought him from home in Florida, in the USA, to South Africa, to give these seminars.

“She was always bringing me to South Africa, accommodating me and helping me provide my seminars to others.”

During his visit last year, Birjanund was on her way to one of his seminar’s when she suffered a fatal heart attack, while listening to Maharaj on the radio. She was rushed to hospital.

“It was significant that she had passed, while she was listening to my words on the radio. It was as if she had already started her spiritual journey.

“She had some past issues with her heart, so she had always told me that when she died, I must perform her funeral. So when she passed, I stayed in Durban to fulfil all her prayers.”

He returned her generosity over the years by taking time off from his busy schedule to also perform her final prayer - her one-year ceremony.

“As a true devotee who supported me, I felt a sense of void and emptiness when she passed away. She was very active in my life when I came to South Africa.

“She was especially drawn to my work after she lost her husband and son to Covid-19 a few years ago. That's when she found me and it helped her heal from the pain of losing her family. I was glad to have helped her through a tough time.”

Birjanund’s family and other sponsors had helped bring Maharaj to South Africa for her last prayer.

“I want to help show importance to her by highlighting her as a devotee. She was such a kind and humble person, who had a heart filled with love for others. It has been a joy knowing her,” said Maharaj.

Maharaj will be returning to Florida on Sunday.

He will be at the Shri Raam Mandir in Shallcross on March 4 at 6.30pm; the Foresthaven Hindu Dharma Sabha in Phoenix on March 5 at 7pm; the Hillgrove Vishnu Shakti Mandir in Newlands West the following day at 7pm; and the Reservoir Hills Hindu Seva Samaj on March 7 and 8 at 7pm.

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Spiritual leader returns to SA for devotee's memorial service