[Photograph of a group of individuals participating in a religious ceremony at the Hindu Temple of Burnaby]

Photograph of a group of unidentified individuals participating in a religious ceremony at the Hindu Temple of Burnaby in British Columbia (B.C.). Individuals had gathered at the mandir (temple) for a celebration of Jalaram Jayanti.

Jalaram Jayanti is an annual festival that celebrates the life and teachings of Shri Jalaram Bapa. Shri Jalaram Bapa is a saint known for his teachings on selfless devotion and compassion for ones in need. Born in Virpur, Gujarat in 1799, Shri Jalaram Bapu devoted his entire life to the kindness and welfare of others. He is especially remembered for his hospitality during Sadavrat, a free meal service that offers food to everyone without any kind of discrimination. He is one of the most celebrated gurus in Gujarat, where Jalaram Jayanti is celebrated with a lot of grandeur. The festival is observed on the seventh day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the Hindu month of Kartik. The festival consists of devotees visiting temples, performing morning prayers, and chanting and singing bhajan in his praise. Bhajan refers to devotional hymns, usually sung in small groups or by the entire congregation. Sweets are distributed and individuals engage in several charitable activities on this day, in the memory of Jalaram Bapu.

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.