SB, this was more than a pilgrimage... my son lives there. So its a double-duty trip.
The next temple we went to was this one.
Hindu Mandir Surrey - (
It's the one that Shivafan knows about, but for me it was our first visit. I was quite amazed right away. What you envision from websites or second-hand info from other people often does not agree with reality. Here, the first obvious thing is that, upon approaching, you know it`s a Hindu temple, because it looks like one from the outside.
It`s a fairly large property, and there were a few cars around but not much. We go in, and the main hall is large, probably the largest one of it`s kind I've ever been in. I'm guessing it holds 500 people or more when full. The main central shrine is for Lakshmi-Narayan, but there`s a Ganesha so we focus on Him some. So again, we sit for awhile, then go to the priest, and he gives us some prasadam.
Since our templing is done for the morning, (so we think) we use the basement to change. It's large too, large kitchen area, and well equipped to cook and serve a lot of food when they do.
Once back in the parking lot, we decide to explore the property some ... looks like a separate building is for classes. But then Boss spots a sign that says 'Shiv Mandir' and an arrow. Naturally we follow the arrow.
In behind a priest residence, not visible from the main area, is another building, smaller but it's clearly a temple as well. There are shoes outside the door. (Vancouver is warm enough to have shoes stay outside year round) This is probably the first time in several years I'm going into a Hindu temple not dressed for the occasion, but it's impossible for us not to go in.
Inside is a large Narmada lingam in front of an enclosed shrine for 'the family' Now I know why there was no such thing in the larger temple. The lingam is really powerful, but I won`t do abhishekham because it just doesn't feel right in jeans. So we leave, with the mental promise to return.
On the way home we do just that. This time it's on a Monday, I'm in veshti, and it's all quite different. Because Monday is Siva's day to many, it's practically crowded ... a few meditators, the priest from the main temple, and an abhishekham queue. So we get in line. Open 8 to 8 or more, my guess is that the abhishekham is pretty much continuous all day long every Monday. So we join in too, then afterwards we just sit. Now this place, (for me at least) has a ton of power. It's older, for one thing, and you can feel the devotion. It seems that the front big temple is for groups while the back part is for the individual type. (like us)
This one we will go back too, most likely on every trip to Vancouver.
