Satnarayan Maharaj

Satnarayan Maharaj CM, also known as Sat Maharaj, (pronounced [sət̪ənɑːrɑːjəɳə məɦɑːrɑːɟə]; 17 April 1931 – 16 November 2019)^[20] was a Trinidadian and Tobagonian Hindu religious leader, educationalist, and civil rights activist in Trinidad and Tobago. He was the Secretary-General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, a major Hindu organisation in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean.^[21]

Satnarayan Maharaj CM
Secretary General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha
In office 1977 – 16 November 2019
Dharmacharya	Pt. Dr. Rampersad Parasram (5 May 2019 – 16 November 2019)[1] Pt. Uttam Maharaj (30 April 2005-d. 29 November 2018)[2][3] Pt. Krishna Maharaj (1986-2003)[4] Pt. Sahadeo Persad Dubay Sharma (d. 1986)[5][6]
Upadharmacharya	Pt. Ganpat Maharaj[7]
President General	Pt. Krishna Rambally (2018-16 November 2019) Pt. Uttam Maharaj (30 April 2005-d. 29 November 2018) D. Omah Maharajh Thirbhowan Seegobin
Vice Secretary	Vijay Maharaj[8]
Preceded by	Simbhoonath Capildeo[9]
Succeeded by	Vijay Maharaj[10]
Trustee of the Central Vishva Hindu Parishad
In office 26 January 2011[11] – 26 January 2014
Assistant Secretary of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha
In office 1972[12]–1977
President of the Caroni East Indian Association Youth Arm
Personal details
Born	Satnarayan Maharaj (1931-04-17)17 April 1931 [13] Chandernagore Village, Chaguanas, Caroni County, Trinidad and Tobago
Died	16 November 2019(2019-11-16) (aged 88) Saint Joseph, Tunapuna–Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago[14][15]
Political party	Democratic Liberation Party (1971)
Spouse	Shanti Sagan Maraj ​ ​ (m. 1953; died 2009)​ [16]
Children	Vijay Maharaj (son) Vindra Maharaj (son) Vidya Satnarayan Maharaj (son) Vimala Tota-Maharaj (daughter) Sati Maharaj (daughter, deceased) Deviyani Gobin (daughter) [17]
Parents	Pt. Sieupersad Maharaj (father) Sirjudaye Maharaj (mother)
Relatives	Bhadase Sagan Maraj (father-in-law) Deolatia Maharaj (paternal grandmother)[18] Pt. Changa Maharaj (paternal grandfather) Pt. Rampartap Misir (maternal grandfather)
Residence(s)	Champ Fleurs, San Juan–Laventille, Trinidad and Tobago
Education	Caroni Canadian Mission School San Juan Canadian Mission School Biche Canadian Mission School Plum Road Canadian Mission School Holborn College
Nickname(s)	Sat Maharaj Hanuman ji of Trinidad The Bengal Tiger[19] The Big Boss
Religious life
Religion	Hinduism
Sect	Sanātanī
Religious career
Guru	Pt. Krishna Maharaj

Satnarayan Maharaj on the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha’s TV and Radio Jaagriti's talk show The Maha Sabha Strikes Back.

The Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha operates 150 mandirs and over 50 schools in Trinidad and Tobago. It was formed in 1952 when Bhadase Sagan Maraj, the father-in-law of Satnarayan Maharaj, engineered the merger of the Satanan Dharma Association and the Sanatan Dharma Board of Control. An affiliated group, the Pundits' Parishad, has 200 affiliated pundits. The organisation's headquarters are located in St. Augustine.^{[citation needed]}

Under the Secretary General Satnarayan Maharaj, the Maha Sabha has modernised all 42 schools and built 5 secondary schools as well as 12 early childhood educational centres. Maharaj has also revived the observance of Phagwah and was instrumental in the creation of the Indian Arrival Day holiday and annual celebrations. The Maha Sabha also introduced a Children's Cultural Festival - Baal Vikaas Vihar.^[22]