Burnaby

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of Khalsa Soccer Club huddling at a soccer game between Khalsa Soccer Club and Victoria United in Burnaby, B.C.

The Khalsa Soccer Club was established in May 1964 in Vancouver, B.C., by Mr. Pralad Gill and Mr. Sohan Deo. The Khalsa Soccer Club offered a non-threatening, comfortable environment where individuals could come and play freely without prejudice. The club is a part of the Pacific Coast Soccer League (PCSL), which is respectively recognized as the highest league in Canada. The club started their inaugural season in the Vancouver Inter-City League playing out of Empire Stadium. Khalsa Sporting club has had a long tradition of being a hotbed for emerging talented footballers. Khalsa has developed many players that have gone on to play professionally within Canada and overseas as well as to top Universities here in Canada and the USA. In December 1994, the club reached its height when the Government of Punjab, in conjunction with the Punjab State Sports Council, invited the club to compete in soccer matches in Punjab, India. The team also traveled to Punjab in February 1999 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Sikh religion and played in an invitational tournament. For 35 years Khalsa Sporting Club has been one of the most successful and well run franchises in the PCSL.

Victoria United is a Canadian soccer team that merged two Victoria clubs in 1904 and is one of the oldest surviving sports club in North America. The team played in the Pacific Coast Soccer League (PCSL) and achieved significant success, winning five championships in the modern era.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Group portrait of the Khalsa Soccer Club at a a soccer game between Khalsa Soccer Club and Victoria United in Burnaby, B.C.

The Khalsa Soccer Club was established in May 1964 in Vancouver, B.C., by Mr. Pralad Gill and Mr. Sohan Deo. The Khalsa Soccer Club offered a non-threatening, comfortable environment where individuals could come and play freely without prejudice. The club is a part of the Pacific Coast Soccer League (PCSL), which is respectively recognized as the highest league in Canada. The club started their inaugural season in the Vancouver Inter-City League playing out of Empire Stadium. Khalsa Sporting club has had a long tradition of being a hotbed for emerging talented footballers. Khalsa has developed many players that have gone on to play professionally within Canada and overseas as well as to top Universities here in Canada and the USA. In December 1994, the club reached its height when the Government of Punjab, in conjunction with the Punjab State Sports Council, invited the club to compete in soccer matches in Punjab, India. The team also traveled to Punjab in February 1999 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Sikh religion and played in an invitational tournament. For 35 years Khalsa Sporting Club has been one of the most successful and well run franchises in the PCSL.

Victoria United is a Canadian soccer team that merged two Victoria clubs in 1904 and is one of the oldest surviving sports club in North America. The team played in the Pacific Coast Soccer League (PCSL) and achieved significant success, winning five championships in the modern era.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Group portrait of the soccer team Victoria United at a soccer game between Khalsa Soccer Club and Victoria United in Burnaby, B.C.

The Khalsa Soccer Club was established in May 1964 in Vancouver, B.C., by Mr. Pralad Gill and Mr. Sohan Deo. The Khalsa Soccer Club offered a non-threatening, comfortable environment where individuals could come and play freely without prejudice. The club is a part of the Pacific Coast Soccer League (PCSL), which is respectively recognized as the highest league in Canada. The club started their inaugural season in the Vancouver Inter-City League playing out of Empire Stadium. Khalsa Sporting club has had a long tradition of being a hotbed for emerging talented footballers. Khalsa has developed many players that have gone on to play professionally within Canada and overseas as well as to top Universities here in Canada and the USA. In December 1994, the club reached its height when the Government of Punjab, in conjunction with the Punjab State Sports Council, invited the club to compete in soccer matches in Punjab, India. The team also traveled to Punjab in February 1999 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Sikh religion and played in an invitational tournament. For 35 years Khalsa Sporting Club has been one of the most successful and well run franchises in the PCSL.

Victoria United is a Canadian soccer team that merged two Victoria clubs in 1904 and is one of the oldest surviving sports club in North America. The team played in the Pacific Coast Soccer League (PCSL) and achieved significant success, winning five championships in the modern era.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Group portrait of the Khalsa Soccer Club at a a soccer game between Khalsa Soccer Club and Victoria United in Burnaby, B.C.

The Khalsa Soccer Club was established in May 1964 in Vancouver, B.C., by Mr. Pralad Gill and Mr. Sohan Deo. The Khalsa Soccer Club offered a non-threatening, comfortable environment where individuals could come and play freely without prejudice. The club is a part of the Pacific Coast Soccer League (PCSL), which is respectively recognized as the highest league in Canada. The club started their inaugural season in the Vancouver Inter-City League playing out of Empire Stadium. Khalsa Sporting club has had a long tradition of being a hotbed for emerging talented footballers. Khalsa has developed many players that have gone on to play professionally within Canada and overseas as well as to top Universities here in Canada and the USA. In December 1994, the club reached its height when the Government of Punjab, in conjunction with the Punjab State Sports Council, invited the club to compete in soccer matches in Punjab, India. The team also traveled to Punjab in February 1999 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Sikh religion and played in an invitational tournament. For 35 years Khalsa Sporting Club has been one of the most successful and well run franchises in the PCSL.

Victoria United is a Canadian soccer team that merged two Victoria clubs in 1904 and is one of the oldest surviving sports club in North America. The team played in the Pacific Coast Soccer League (PCSL) and achieved significant success, winning five championships in the modern era.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

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.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of Harmohanjit Singh Pandher 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.).

Harmohanjit (Harman) Singh Pandher is a public, and elementary school teacher. He was born in Vancouver and raised in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree (English Literature) and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of British Columbia. From 2011 to 2018, he was elected to two consecutive terms as a School Board Trustee on the Burnaby Board of Education. Pandher is the author of five children's books that celebrate Sikh and South Asian heritage and contributions to Canada. These titles include, Sugar, Steel and the Maple Leaf: the poems of a young Sikh Canadian. He is the founder of SONG Creative Mentorship Association of Greater Vancouver: a non-profit society focused on providing youth with mentorship in the arts and opportunities for community service. Pandhar was honored by the Province of BC with the Intercultural Trust Award in 2021 for his outstanding efforts in building intercultural trust and reducing racism and hate among communities.

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.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

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.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

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.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of an unidentified individual 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.).

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.

Creator: Bodalia, Chandra

Photograph of an unidentified individual 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.).

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.