Pandit Ramsaran Tiwari Maharaj

Pandit Ramsaran Tiwari Maharaj entered this world on August 31, 1917, in Chaguanas, born to Shri and Shrimatie Ramdass Tiwari Maharaj. His life was built on the resilience of his grandparents, who migrated from India to St. Lucia, W.I. in the late 1800s before settling in Trinidad. While he attended Chaguanas R.C. School, his true calling was nurtured at home; under his father’s guidance, he mastered Hindi and the sacred rites of Panditai. What began as personal devotion soon blossomed into a public calling, as his reputation for wisdom spread, making him a household name across the islands. The foundation of Ramsaran’s life was built on the resilience of his grandparents, who had traveled from India to St. Lucia in the late 1800s under the indentureship program. Carrying nothing but their rich cultural heritage, they eventually settled in Trinidad with their three children, including Ramsaran’s father, Ramdass. Growing up in Chaguanas, young Ramsaran attended the Chaguanas R.C. Primary School through Standard 7. However, his most profound education took place at home. Under the watchful eye of his father and several esteemed local Pandits, he mastered the Hindi language and the intricate rituals of Panditai. What began as a personal devotion soon blossomed into a public calling; as he began performing Pujas for neighbors and villagers, his reputation for piety and wisdom spread until he became a household name across the islands of Trinidad and Tobago.
The 1940’s marked a most profound turning point in his life when he wed Shrimatie Jasodra Maharaj, the beautiful and talented daughter of Shri Deoraj and Shrimatie Sajadaye Maharaj of Siparia. Their union was a blending of two families of deep faith. Though they briefly resided in Siparia, the call of opportunity led the couple to Point Fortin. They settled in the serene community of Fanny Village, where they raised four children: three sons, Ramesh, Suresh, and Naresh, and one daughter, Ahilya. Their home became a sanctuary of culture and prayer, and it was here that his eldest son, Pandit Ramesh Tiwari, began following the sacred footsteps of his ancestors to continue the family’s spiritual lineage. In Point Fortin, Pandit Ramsaran’s life took on a unique dimension. He balanced his spiritual duties with a career in the oil fields (UBOT – later called Shell), working at the field hospital. During this era of social transformation, he was closely affiliated with the legendary Tubal Uriah “Buzz” Butler, witnessing firsthand the struggles and triumphs of the working class. This connection to the “Butler Movement” highlighted Ramsaran’s character, a man who was as comfortable in the presence of labor leaders as he was before a sacred fire. Pandit Ramsaran was more than a priest; he was a guide to countless Shishyas (disciples) and Chelas (students). His voice, his rituals, and his unwavering commitment to Sanatan Dharma provided a compass for the Hindu community during a time of great change in Trinidad and Tobago.
In January 1991, Pandit Ramsaran Tiwari Maharaj left this earthly plane for the great beyond. While his passing left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and followers, his spirit lives on through the prayers he whispered, the children he raised, and the thousands of lives he touched with his light.                                                                  “Do you have a special memory captured on film or audio? Please email any photos, videos, or audio recordings you may have to hindisongstt@gmail.com. We are looking to preserve the many beautiful moments shared with the renowned Pandit Ramsaran Tiwari Maharaj.” (Copyright Pandit Ashram Sharma 2026).