[Photograph of an individual at the Hindu Temple of Burnaby]

Photograph of an unidentified individual at a prayer ceremony held at the Hindu Temple of Burnaby in British Columbia (B.C.).

Individuals had gathered at the temple for ramayana parayan. The Ramayana is one of the two great epic poems of India, the other being the Mahabharata. The Ramayana was composed in Sanskrit, around 300 BCE, by the poet Valmiki. The poem is centered around the protagonist Rama, a Prince of Ayodhya, his wife, Sita, and the antagonist, Ravana, King of Lanka. At its core, the poem is a classic tale of the triumph of good over evil. It is immensely popular in India, where its recitation is considered an act of great merit. The story has also spread in various forms throughout Southeast Asia, especially Cambodia, Indonesia, and Thailand. Parayan refers to the reading of religious scriptures within a limited period. Ramayan parayan refers to the reading of the Ramayana within a certain period.

Officially registered as the Hindu Cultural Society and Community Centre of B.C., the Hindu Temple of Burnaby, previously known as Vishva Hindu Parishad temple, stands as one of Canada's oldest and largest Hindu temples. It was founded on May 15, 1972 as a small prayer hall in North Burnaby, dedicated to preserving and promoting Hindu culture and traditions.