Exchange Village Mud Mandir, also known as the Sewala Mandir in Couva, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is considered to be the longest-occupied temple in the country.
The National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago states that the original structure, which still stands today, was constructed in the 1920s. However, some date its construction as early as the 1860s by the original indentured East Indians.
The mandir consists mostly of mud and cow dung, which was then whitewashed with lime, allowing it to withstand the elements and maintain its structural integrity.
The roof, which may originally have been made of grass, was replaced in 1985 with aluminium.
The interior features carved reliefs from the Ramayana. According to the late spiritual leader and long-time guru of the mandir, Pundit Hardeo Maharaj (fondly known as Pundit Lall or Pundit Lal), who was instrumental in preserving and registering it, when asked about the importance of preserving this architectural gem, he said: “If we have no history, we never existed”.
