Our History
Our History
Humble Beginnings
Brahmins from India started coming to Kenya in the early 1900’s. By 1920 the Brahmin community in Nairobi and in Kenya had grown in significant numbers. At the time it was a long and sometimes difficult journey made in ships by young men and their families. They started to settle in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and even in small villages.
The Kenya Brahma Sabha
By 1920 the Brahmin community in Nairobi and in Kenya generally, had grown in significant enough numbers. It was decided that an institution should be established so that Brahmins as a community could come together as a small community and carry out all our religious and cultural activities and celebrations, just like in India.
The Kenya Brahma Sabha (KBS) was established in 1931 and Mr. Himantram R. Bhatt was appointed as the first chairperson. With hard work and determination, the community managed to get a piece of land from the British Government to build the community hall. With the help of Brahmins in Kenya and across East Africa, the KBS community center was built on Forthall Road, now known as Muranga road.
Since 1920, the KBS has experienced and supported its community members through many family-related and also historical events - experienced both across the globe, and closer to home, like Kenyan Independence and India Independence. The centre soon became a safe and familiar place where families came together to support each other through good times and challenging times. A place where religious and cultural ties could continue to be marked or celebrated, and soon a strong community bond was established.
Between 1968 and 1969 a period known as "the exodus", saw a thriving community witness many families leave for other countries, mostly the UK as families had to make a decision if they immigrated or remained in Kenya. This saw an immigrant community become new immigrants in another country. Soon immigration became a regular occurrence and continues to be the case even today.
KBS has extremely supportive and active groups
For many years now, the KBS has an extremely supportive and active ladies group, who have also been extremely helpful in the development of our KBS community and totally dependable when providing wider support to all the families during various events and ceremonies. We also have a well- established youth group with a spring in their step whenever support is required.
Religious Ceremonies
Over the years, the KBS at Muranga road has held significant religious ceremonies such as Maha Yagnas, Navratri, Krishna Jayanti, Diwali and New year celebrations and Weddings of our sons and daughters. Not to forget the numerous variety programs over the years of music, dance and drama performed by many talented members. We have also had the privilege to host medical camps for our community members as many members successfully entered the medical profession.
The centre has also been used as a small school for young infants to support local children from less privileged backgrounds, giving us the opportunity to give back to society when possible. In the past we have been fortunate enough to host visiting Brahmin communities, and there was always much excitement when the KBS hosted communities from other towns in Kenya and also neighbouring countries like Uganda and Tanzania.
Taking The Next Step
In 2013 the KBS decided that it was the right time to take the step to sell the KBS plot and building at Muranga road, and relocate the community centre to a safer area and move to a custom-built centre with modern facilities to cater for our current and future needs.
In 2015, a new plot was purchased on 3rd Avenue Parklands Nairobi, with the support and donations of many well-wishers. We are now proud owners of a new modern community centre. Our new centre has a beautiful temple, a modern auditorium that can cater for a variety of functions and a large dining hall. Our state of the art social hall is fully soundproof and air-conditioned with a seating capacity of 1200 people. There is also a parking facility for 200 cars. As a small community we should all be proud of this achievement.
With the grace of God, the first program of religious activities which included prayers and bhajans successfully took place on 14th August 2021 and the official opening of the temple was on 22nd August 2021. We are now proud owners of a new modern community centre, which was officially opened on 3rd July 2021.
The KBS has humble beginnings but an enduring vision. Over the years, the membership of KBS has gone through a period of both expansion with new families immigrating to Kenya and also contraction with many families leaving Kenya. Nonetheless the cultural, religious and community spirit of our Sabha has remained steadfast, unified and a dependable network for its community members.
The KBS has continued to develop and remain a happy community centre because of the dedication of the established members and also new members and youth, bringing fresh ideas, spirit and optimism. Our small community retains the characteristics of a true Sabha because of the participation and bond of all its members and well-wishers since its inception.
We are pleased to mention that Brahma Sabha always tried its best to carry out the aims and objectives of its constitution as set out on page 4 of its revised constitution dated 25th April 2015.
The Future Is Bright For Our Community
Humble Beginnings
Brahmins from India started coming to Kenya in the early 1900’s. By 1920 the Brahmin community in Nairobi and in Kenya had grown in significant numbers. At the time it was a long and sometimes difficult journey made in ships by young men and their families. They started to settle in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and even in small villages.
The Kenya Brahma Sabha
By 1920 the Brahmin community in Nairobi and in Kenya generally, had grown in significant enough numbers. It was decided that an institution should be established so that Brahmins as a community could come together as a small community and carry out all our religious and cultural activities and celebrations, just like in India.
The Kenya Brahma Sabha (KBS) was established in 1931 and Mr. Himantram R. Bhatt was appointed as the first chairperson. With hard work and determination, the community managed to get a piece of land from the British Government to build the community hall. With the help of Brahmins in Kenya and across East Africa, the KBS community center was built on Forthall Road, now known as Muranga road.
Since 1920, the KBS has experienced and supported its community members through many family-related and also historical events - experienced both across the globe, and closer to home, like Kenyan Independence and India Independence. The centre soon became a safe and familiar place where families came together to support each other through good times and challenging times. A place where religious and cultural ties could continue to be marked or celebrated, and soon a strong community bond was established.
Between 1968 and 1969 a period known as "the exodus", saw a thriving community witness many families leave for other countries, mostly the UK as families had to make a decision if they immigrated or remained in Kenya. This saw an immigrant community become new immigrants in another country. Soon immigration became a regular occurrence and continues to be the case even today.
KBS Has Extremelely Supportive And Active Groups
For many years now, the KBS has an extremely supportive and active ladies group, who have also been extremely helpful in the development of our KBS community and totally dependable when providing wider support to all the families during various events and ceremonies. We also have a well- established youth group with a spring in their step whenever support is required.
Religious Ceremonies
Over the years, the KBS at Muranga road has held significant religious ceremonies such as Maha Yagnas, Navratri, Krishna Jayanti, Diwali and New year celebrations and Weddings of our sons and daughters. Not to forget the numerous variety programs over the years of music, dance and drama performed by many talented members. We have also had the privilege to host medical camps for our community members as many members successfully entered the medical profession.
The centre has also been used as a small school for young infants to support local children from less privileged backgrounds, giving us the opportunity to give back to society when possible. In the past we have been fortunate enough to host visiting Brahmin communities, and there was always much excitement when the KBS hosted communities from other towns in Kenya and also neighbouring countries like Uganda and Tanzania.
Taking The Next Step
In 2013 the KBS decided that it was the right time to take the step to sell the KBS plot and building at Muranga road, and relocate the community centre to a safer area and move to a custom-built centre with modern facilities to cater for our current and future needs.
In 2015, a new plot was purchased in 3rd Parklands Nairobi, with the support and donations of many well-wishers. We are now proud owners of a new modern community centre. Our new centre has a beautiful temple, a modern auditorium that can cater for a variety of functions and a large dining hall. There is also a parking facility for 140 cars. As a small community we should all be proud of this achievement.
With the grace of God, the first program of religious activities which included prayers and bhajans successfully took place on 14th August 2021 and the official opening was on 22nd August 2021.
The KBS has humble beginnings but an enduring vision. Over the years, the membership of KBS has gone through a period of both expansion with new families immigrating to Kenya and also contraction with many families leaving Kenya. Nonetheless the cultural, religious and community spirit of our Sabha has remained steadfast, unified and a dependable network for its community members.
The KBS has continued to develop and remain a happy community centre because of the dedication of the established members and also new members and youth, bringing fresh ideas, spirit and optimism. Our small community retains the characteristics of a true Sabha because of the participation and bond of all its members and well-wishers since its inception.
We are pleased to mention that Brahma Sabha always tried its best to carry out the aims and objectives of its constitution as set out on page 4 of its revised constitution dated 25th April 2015.