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Bakshi, Sudarshan

Description
Group portrait of Sudarshan Bakshi receiving a plaque at an event celebrating Maha Shivaratri, which was held by and at the Hindu Cultural Society and Community Centre of B.C. in Burnaby, B.C. The plaque reads, "Community Service Award."

Maha Shivaratri, translating to "The Great Night of Shiva," is a Hindu festival to worship and celebrate Lord Shiva. It is the most important festival for Shiva's devotees. Maha Shivaratri occurs on the fourteenth day of the lunar month, also known as the waning moon before the new moon, in the month of Magha (January—February) or Phalguna (February—March), and it known as an significant spirtual day as it is thought that there a natural upsurge of energy in the human being. There is no single, definitive reason for celebrating Maha Shivaratri. Some reasons are: to observe Shiva and Parvati's wedding anniversay, to worship lingam (a symbol of Shiva) and receive spiritual rewards, to honour Shiva for protecting the universe by consuming a deadly poison himself, and and to honour Shiva for his triumph of good over evil by destroying the demon-controlled cities of Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha, and Vidyunmali. The day before Maha Shivaratri, devotees observe a fast and hold vigils to worship Shiva. On the day of, there is a feast and and festivities.

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.
Description
Group portrait of Amrik S. Nijjar and Sudarshan Bakshi receiving plaques at an event celebrating Maha Shivaratri, which was held by and at the Hindu Cultural Society and Community Centre of B.C. in Burnaby, B.C. The plaque reads, "Community Service Award."

Maha Shivaratri, translating to "The Great Night of Shiva," is a Hindu festival to worship and celebrate Lord Shiva. It is the most important festival for Shiva's devotees. Maha Shivaratri occurs on the fourteenth day of the lunar month, also known as the waning moon before the new moon, in the month of Magha (January—February) or Phalguna (February—March), and it known as an significant spirtual day as it is thought that there a natural upsurge of energy in the human being. There is no single, definitive reason for celebrating Maha Shivaratri. Some reasons are: to observe Shiva and Parvati's wedding anniversay, to worship lingam (a symbol of Shiva) and receive spiritual rewards, to honour Shiva for protecting the universe by consuming a deadly poison himself, and and to honour Shiva for his triumph of good over evil by destroying the demon-controlled cities of Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha, and Vidyunmali. The day before Maha Shivaratri, devotees observe a fast and hold vigils to worship Shiva. On the day of, there is a feast and and festivities.

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.
Member of
Description
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.
Member of
Description
Photograph of a group of unidentified individuals at a gurdwara (Sikh temple) in Vancouver, 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.

The gurdwara is governed by Khalsa Diwan Society. The Khalsa Diwan Society is a pioneer Sikh society, one of the oldest in Vancouver, formed on July 22, 1902 in British Columbia, Canada, formally established in 1906. In 1908, the Society purchased and built the first Sikh temple in Vancouver, which was located on West 2nd Avenue. This is believed to be the first Sikh temple in the whole of the American continent. This temple served the Sikh community until a new temple was occupied on April 25, 1970. The original temple was sold to build a bigger (present) temple located on Ross Street. The Khalsa Diwan Society has been a pioneer in raising Sikhi related issues and getting recognition for Sikhs in Canada. It continues to build a strong community based on Sikhi values and principles. Every year the society organizes sports activities, including soccer and wrestling tournaments.