Vedic Purohit mandal

The Vedic Purohit Mandal is an important standing committee of the Arya Samaj South Africa, playing a vital role in the community. The committee was established to train,  regulate and provide oversight of qualified Vedic priests who passed the Vedic Studies course. This ensured uniformity among the priests in the performance of the sixteen sanskaars and other religious duties.

In 1975 the first candidates wrote the examinations and were successful. The Priest Academy deemed it fit that woman also receive the necessary training in this field. Beside performing the sanskaars the members of the Mandal rendered voluntary services in doing ‘Prachar’ work. They make their contributions by delivering discourses on religious and philosophical topics at the gatherings, meetings and festivals. They are the vanguards of spreading the tenets of the Vedas. Priests also render spiritual ministration in the Westville and Pietermartizburg areas. The Arya Samaj has now introduced a faith-based course containing 20 lessons over a period of 6 months and is entitled Umuntu Omusha (A new Man). The Umuntu Omusha course has been researched and complied by educators who are priests. The aim of the course is to stimulate positive thinking whilst building self- confidence. This course has proved to be very popular amongst the inmates so much so that many others have joined the classes. Priests also visit hospitals and private homes and offer prayers for the recovery of the sick. Other priests offer their services at the rehabilitation centres and offer counselling sessions to those who have lost their way in life.

The shy blue gowns worn by the priests have become a trademark of the Arya Samaj. Any person adorning this gown is bound by the Code of Conduct of the Arya Samaj South Africa. Meetings where pandits meet to discuss matters/issues related to their field of work takes place quarterly. We currently have a total of 90 priests. One of the prerequisites to qualify as a priest is having to complete 6 modules which are generally run over the course of 3 years.