Pandit Harripersad Sharma

Pandit Harripersad Sharma was born in the year 1922 in the Village of La Fortune Woodland, South Trinidad, West Indies, to Pandit Rambaran Tiwari (Maharaj) and Sukraji; he was the third of ten children. He was also fondly called Harrydass in the earlier days by his peers. He attended the Bien Venue Presbyterian School, La Romaine. From a very early age, while accompanying his father in devotional practices his training began as a pandit. At the very young age of 13 he started conducting Pujas for devotees. He took his duties as a Pandit very seriously, and made it a lifelong commitment. His Guru was Pandit Latchmi Maharaj of Penal Rock Road. His Vidya Gurus were Pandit Basdeo Misir of Mount Lambert, North Trinidad the first Dharmacharya (Hindu Archbishop) of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha of Trinidad and Tobago and Pandit Jankie Persad Sharma the second Dharmacharya of Trinidad and Tobago from Debe, South Trinidad under whose guidance he studied the many scriptures. He developed a special love for the Srimad Bhagwat Maha Puran, which ultimately became his most favoured text on which he conducted his discourses. He also served as a dedicated manager of the Woodland Hindu School for 22 years. He was well loved by his many chelas locally and abroad. During his years of service Panditji conducted many Yagnas throughout the Country. During his lifespan as a Pandit he was a member of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha of Trinidad and Tobago, of which the illustrious Bhadase Sagan Maharaj, was the 1^st President General. Pandit Harripersad was married to the late beautiful and charming Ramdularie, the daughter of the late popular Pandit Surujnarine Panday (Maharaj) of Penal. They had four children. Two of his sons Pandit Denesh Sharma and Pandit Ashram Sharma have followed in their father’s footsteps as Pandits. Pandit Harripersad’s closest friend throughout his life was the late Tank (Padna) Boodram. Panditji followed in the tradition of his paternal grandfather (Aja) Pandit ABHILAKH of India. Pandit Harripersad died at the very young age of 56, in the year 1978.

You can also visit this interesting link of pandits past and present of Trinidad and Tobago where you are sure to see a familiar face https://hindisongstt.com/photos/pandits-past-present-of-trinidad/ There is another link of great interest of pandits conducting ceremonies https://hindisongstt.com/photos/pandits-of-trinidad-conducting-ceremonies/ We are making a kind request to any family, friends or chelas who may hold precious memories in the form of photos, audios or videos of these great and learned pandits to inbox us these memories at hindisongstt@gmail.com so we may share for the enjoyment of all. (Copyright Nisha Sharma 2025).