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Hindu Cultural Society and Community Centre of B.C.

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Photograph of Zile Singh addressing the audience at a Diwali celebration hosted by the City of Burnaby and sponsored by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of BC and the Canadian Ramgarhia Society. The event took place at the Bonsor Recreation Centre in Burnaby, British Columbia (B.C.). Zile Singh was the acting consul general of India.

Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is a major religious festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, and translates to "the Festival of Lights." The festival lasts five days: the first day is known as Dhanteras; followed by Choti Diwali; Lakshmi Puja, which is the main celebration; Govardhan Puja; and finally Bhai Dooj. The festival is typically marked by the cleaning and decorating of homes, as well as the lighting of diyas and rangoli designs. Each region in India and religion has their own manner of celebrating Deepavali and their own gods to be worshipped.

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.

The Canadian Ramgarhia Society is a charitable organization dedicated to the religious, social, cultural, and educational advancement of its community members. Originally located in Burnaby, British Columbia, the society has since relocated to Surrey, where it manages the Gurdwara Sahib Brookside.
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Photograph of Zile Singh addressing the audience at a Diwali celebration hosted by the City of Burnaby and sponsored by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of BC and the Canadian Ramgarhia Society. The event took place at the Bonsor Recreation Centre in Burnaby, British Columbia (B.C.). Zile Singh was the acting consul general of India.

Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is a major religious festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, and translates to "the Festival of Lights." The festival lasts five days: the first day is known as Dhanteras; followed by Choti Diwali; Lakshmi Puja, which is the main celebration; Govardhan Puja; and finally Bhai Dooj. The festival is typically marked by the cleaning and decorating of homes, as well as the lighting of diyas and rangoli designs. Each region in India and religion has their own manner of celebrating Deepavali and their own gods to be worshipped.

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.

The Canadian Ramgarhia Society is a charitable organization dedicated to the religious, social, cultural, and educational advancement of its community members. Originally located in Burnaby, British Columbia, the society has since relocated to Surrey, where it manages the Gurdwara Sahib Brookside.
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Photograph of Derek Corrigan addressing the audience at a Diwali celebration hosted by the City of Burnaby and sponsored by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of BC and the Canadian Ramgarhia Society. The event took place at the Bonsor Recreation Centre in Burnaby, British Columbia (B.C.).

Derek Corrigan was born and raised in Vancouver. He attended a number of elementary schools in East Vancouver, Queen Elizabeth Elementary School (Gr. 4-7) and Sir Charles Tupper High School. He attended the University of British Columbia, majoring in philosophy and political science, and after travel in Europe, successfully applied to enter law school without completing his bachelor's degree. He graduated in 1977, articled with Jim Lorimer in Burnaby and was called to the bar in 1978. In 1977 Corrigan and his wife Kathy moved to Burnaby, first to the Stoney Creek neighborhood and then to a home on the South Slope where they raised their family of four children. Corrigan first ran for Burnaby Council in 1979 with the Burnaby Citizens Association, and after three more tries was elected to council in 1987. He has served Burnaby for 28 years, first as a councillor and then as mayor in 2002. Corrigan served as the mayor of Burnaby for five terms. During his career he has served on many committees at the local, regional and national levels.

Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is a major religious festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, and translates to "the Festival of Lights." The festival lasts five days: the first day is known as Dhanteras; followed by Choti Diwali; Lakshmi Puja, which is the main celebration; Govardhan Puja; and finally Bhai Dooj. The festival is typically marked by the cleaning and decorating of homes, as well as the lighting of diyas and rangoli designs. Each region in India and religion has their own manner of celebrating Deepavali and their own gods to be worshipped.

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.

The Canadian Ramgarhia Society is a charitable organization dedicated to the religious, social, cultural, and educational advancement of its community members. Originally located in Burnaby, British Columbia, the society has since relocated to Surrey, where it manages the Gurdwara Sahib Brookside.
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Photograph of a group of unidentified individuals at a Diwali celebration hosted by the City of Burnaby and sponsored by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of BC and the Canadian Ramgarhia Society. The event took place at the Bonsor Recreation Centre in Burnaby, British Columbia (B.C.).

Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is a major religious festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, and translates to "the Festival of Lights." The festival lasts five days: the first day is known as Dhanteras; followed by Choti Diwali; Lakshmi Puja, which is the main celebration; Govardhan Puja; and finally Bhai Dooj. The festival is typically marked by the cleaning and decorating of homes, as well as the lighting of diyas and rangoli designs. Each region in India and religion has their own manner of celebrating Deepavali and their own gods to be worshipped.

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.

The Canadian Ramgarhia Society is a charitable organization dedicated to the religious, social, cultural, and educational advancement of its community members. Originally located in Burnaby, British Columbia, the society has since relocated to Surrey, where it manages the Gurdwara Sahib Brookside.
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Photograph of a group of unidentified individuals at the Hindu Temple of Burnaby in British Columbia (B.C.). Among the group of individuals is Sudarshan Bakshi.

A highly respected member of British Columbia's South Asian community, Sudarshan Bakshi is widely known for his community leadership and volunteer service.Following his arrival in Canada in 1967, Bakshi worked as a forklift operator and operated his own small blueberry farm for many years. As the father of five daughters, he decided to help young women in Canada and India. In 1988 he began sending money to Indian charities to help poor young women and families struggling to deal with the dowry system and helped young women learn skills like needle-work and sewing that would make them financial contributors within their family units. By the 1990s, Bakshi took his charitable efforts to the lumber mill where he worked, organizing a charity lunch to benefit BC's Children's Hospital. Success led him to found the Janta Sewak Society, dedicated to assisting under-funded charities. Through this society, he has raised more than $1.3 million dollars, supporting a range of charities, including the Canadian Red Cross, Delta Hospital Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, and many others. Bakshi is a founding member of the Five Rivers Community Services Society. He has also worked to increase understanding and tolerance between cultural groups. He is a founding member of the South Asian Human Rights Organization, which works to build bridges between various factions, religions and countries. Bakshi is the recipient of multiple awards, including, the Queen Elizabeth LL Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013, the Order of BC in 2007, the Hind Rattan Award in 2000 from the NRI Welfare Society of India, and the Rashtriya Rattan Award in 1999 from the International Friendship Forum of India.

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.
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Photograph of religious idols at the Hindu Temple of Burnaby in British Columbia (B.C.).

The religious idols depict Lord Krishna and Radha. Radha and Krishna are two deities in the religion of Hinduism. Krishna is widely revered and worshipped as the eighth incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. Generally, Krishna is associated with love and protection. Radha is the chief consort of Krishna and is worshipped as the goddess of love and motherhood.

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.
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Photograph of unidentified individuals performing 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 Mahashivaratri.

Mahashivaratri is a significant Hindu festival honoring the Hindu god, Lord Shiva. Devotees observe fasts, perform religious rituals, and participate in all-night vigils to seek blessings for moksha (freedom) and spiritual awakening. Key activities include fasting, chanting mantras, and reading Shiva scriptures. A special ritual is called shivalinga abhishekam, in which the Shiva Linga (symbol of Shiva) is bathed in sacred offerings, such as water, milk, honey, yogurt, bilva leaves, and sandalwood paste. Major temples witness large gatherings and special prayers. The festival is observed annually in the Hindu month of Phalguna.

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.
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Photograph of unidentified individuals performing 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 Mahashivaratri.

Mahashivaratri is a significant Hindu festival honoring the Hindu god, Lord Shiva. Devotees observe fasts, perform religious rituals, and participate in all-night vigils to seek blessings for moksha (freedom) and spiritual awakening. Key activities include fasting, chanting mantras, and reading Shiva scriptures. A special ritual is called shivalinga abhishekam, in which the Shiva Linga (symbol of Shiva) is bathed in sacred offerings, such as water, milk, honey, yogurt, bilva leaves, and sandalwood paste. Major temples witness large gatherings and special prayers. The festival is observed annually in the Hindu month of Phalguna.

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.
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Photograph of Ashok Sharma with a group of unidentified individuals 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.
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Photograph of religious art and idols 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.