Hindu temple called Pendiali, located in Gol

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Origin and history

The temple of Gol, also known as the Pandialea Temple, is a Tamil Hindu building located in Saint Louis, on the island of Reunion. Built in the mid-19th century, it is the oldest Hindu temple on the island still standing. Its origin is linked to the history of engagism, a system established after the abolition of slavery in 1848 to overcome the lack of labour in plantations. The engaged workers, mostly from India (called Malbars), brought their religious traditions, including Hinduism, lastingly marking the cultural landscape of Réunion.

The temple was erected between 1852 and 1856 on the former Gol house, by order of Gabriel Le Coat of Kervégen, a rich planter and industrialist. However, some sources suggest later construction, between 1905 and 1910, under the property of Robert Le Coat de Kerveguen. Dedicated to Vishnu, it houses interior frescoes depicting epic episodes of Ramayana and Mahabharata, illustrating its spiritual and artistic importance. Its architecture and decoration make it a symbol of the religious and historical heritage of Reunion.

The abolition of slavery in 1848 profoundly transformed the society of Réunion. Planters, deprived of their servile labour, turn to engagism, recruiting thousands of workers, mainly Tamils, from India. These recruits, although often under difficult conditions, have preserved their cultural and religious practices. The Gol temple embodies this identity resistance, offering a place of worship and gathering for the emerging Hindu community on the island.

In 1996, the temple was listed as an inventory of historic monuments, recognizing its heritage value. More recently, in 2019, it was selected as an emblematic site of the Heritage Lotto, benefiting from funding for its restoration. These protections underline its central role in the history of La Réunion, between memory of engagism and vivacity of Hindu traditions.

Sources also indicate differences on the exact date of construction and the specific sponsor, reflecting the historical uncertainties surrounding this monument. Whether it was built in the mid-19th century or early-20th century, the temple remains a unique testimony to the Tamil heritage in Reunion, as well as to the social and economic dynamics of the colonial era.

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