Fireside_Hindu
Jai Lakshmi Maa
I love Ganesha'a warm, yellow color! Is he painted? It's almost like he is perpetually covered in Haldi, like during parts of abhishekam =)
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Hinduism in Vancouver, Canada
- Thread starter Vinayaka
- Start date
I love Ganesha'a warm, yellow color! Is he painted? It's almost like he is perpetually covered in Haldi, like during parts of abhishekam =)
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During special events, sometimes its the tradition to cover Him entirely in chandanam. (sandalwood) . So that picture would have been taken at one of those times. The priests generally use it as a surprise for when the curtain opens after he gets dressed. They (deities) also have special metal coverings made of gold or silver, like an entire mask for special occasions.
When we do it here, the yellow sandalwood is then distributed. It's the stuff I use at home ... sort of second-hand, but a good kind of second-hand, I would say.
Fireside_Hindu
Jai Lakshmi Maa
Yes, the Lakshmi murti at my local temple has beaded coverings (almost like jeweled mittens) and the bead pattern makes the image of her hands and arms. They remove these for abhishekam and then put them back on after. It's an awesome sight when she is revealed again. I don't know why but I always forget how lovely the murti's look fully adorned after sitting for the abhishekam. It's nice to be surprised all the time .
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Yes, the Lakshmi murti at my local temple has beaded coverings (almost like jeweled mittens) and the bead pattern makes the image of her hands and arms. They remove these for abhishekam and then put them back on after. It's an awesome sight when she is revealed again. I don't know why but I always forget how lovely the murti's look fully adorned after sitting for the abhishekam. It's nice to be surprised all the time .
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Indeed. Garlands are often used that way too. The priest hides it (or them) up there somewhere inside the moolasthanam. I really don't like fake garlands.
Fireside_Hindu
Jai Lakshmi Maa
Agreed. I understand though. First you need the flowers (which can be expensive in large enough quantities) Then you need someone able and willing to make the garlands. And then you need those individuals to do it on a weekly basis if not more often.
It would be easier if the temples in the US were singularly devoted to one deity each, but that's a whole other challenge.
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In my view, fake garlands don't add anything. I'd rather just see nice clothing for the deities. Fake garlands are just too ... well, fake.
What's next, fake aarti lamps?
On the next day we started out at this one: http://hindutempleburnabybc.com/ Burnaby is basically a section of Vancouver, and has 4 temples. One was closed when we went, but we managed to attend the other 3.
This temple is a Lakshmi Narayan one as well, and is run by VHP, (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) a well known international Hindu group.
We expected it to be empty, and were surprised to see a boot room totally packed as we entered. Soon enough we discovered why: A local middle school had brought all their 8th graders on a field trip. We missed most the pundit's talk, but caught the very end of explanations by one of their teachers, a Hindu herself. The part we did hear was basically the retelling of a Purana, the one I really dislike when told as literal. But that's all good. The very fact that a temple can host such a diverse group at all is great. We need more of that kind of thing, for humanity's sake.
The children were all very attentive, and some seemed to just know how to sit so straight. Many looked like they understood intuitively the nature of a Hindu temple because they were all so quiet and respectful. There were also a couple of great questions, none of which I remember.
After the school departed, we were left with the host for that event and the priest, so we did the usual sit and go in thing in front of the main shrine. It's a large hall, maybe holding 300 comfortably, and there's a large kitchen as well. You can just twll that they're active in the community.
The temple has been in that location for 40 years now, and the congregation has outgrown itself so they're building a new one, better location, and substantially larger. Later we also managed to see the construction of the new one, and it is huge indeed.
When we went up for the priest's blessing, he tied the red strings around our wrists in gentle fashion, like he's maybe done a few thousand times already, saying "I accept you here." On the entire trip, I can't remember a single "Look! Caucasians!" kind of stare. It makes you love Vancouver.
This temple is a Lakshmi Narayan one as well, and is run by VHP, (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) a well known international Hindu group.
We expected it to be empty, and were surprised to see a boot room totally packed as we entered. Soon enough we discovered why: A local middle school had brought all their 8th graders on a field trip. We missed most the pundit's talk, but caught the very end of explanations by one of their teachers, a Hindu herself. The part we did hear was basically the retelling of a Purana, the one I really dislike when told as literal. But that's all good. The very fact that a temple can host such a diverse group at all is great. We need more of that kind of thing, for humanity's sake.
The children were all very attentive, and some seemed to just know how to sit so straight. Many looked like they understood intuitively the nature of a Hindu temple because they were all so quiet and respectful. There were also a couple of great questions, none of which I remember.
After the school departed, we were left with the host for that event and the priest, so we did the usual sit and go in thing in front of the main shrine. It's a large hall, maybe holding 300 comfortably, and there's a large kitchen as well. You can just twll that they're active in the community.
The temple has been in that location for 40 years now, and the congregation has outgrown itself so they're building a new one, better location, and substantially larger. Later we also managed to see the construction of the new one, and it is huge indeed.
When we went up for the priest's blessing, he tied the red strings around our wrists in gentle fashion, like he's maybe done a few thousand times already, saying "I accept you here." On the entire trip, I can't remember a single "Look! Caucasians!" kind of stare. It makes you love Vancouver.
Another nice temple, Vinayaka.
So you are gettung around between Surrey and Burnaby, how are you getting around? Over the Pattullo Bridge by car? Rented a car? Sky train?
Looking forward to the next temple synopsis! Vancouver is a beautiful city with lots of temples in the area.
Om Namah Sivaya
So you are gettung around between Surrey and Burnaby, how are you getting around? Over the Pattullo Bridge by car? Rented a car? Sky train?
Looking forward to the next temple synopsis! Vancouver is a beautiful city with lots of temples in the area.
Om Namah Sivaya
We drive from here. 12 hour but scenic drive. I love having a car when I'm in a strange city, and rental cars are too costly. We stay in Richmond near the airport (also home to 3 temples) and head over on the connector. It's not like the Bay area or LA ... probably only 40 minute max point to point.
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
Not photographs, even of the deities. That is the first thing a visitor will look for. As I was clicking around, the site said my right to click has been restricted to avoid plagiarism. Funny. Perhaps their site needs some corrections and should be more welcoming.
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Often an on-line presence is the last thing on a temple's organising committee's mind. It takes volunteer time, and is often deemed not that useful. Maybe you could write to them and volunteer some time to fix it for them.
At one time I could do HTML3 or even HTML4, but since HTML5, it has gone beyond my capabilities.
Perhaps I should give it a try again. Should not be very difficult. Only that I did not try.
You're away ahead of me then.
Some temple groups do face an age problem where the majority of devotees are just older, and less computer savvy. Either way, the very fact that a temple exists period is 100 times more important that whether or not it has a functioning website.
After the VHP temple, we drove about 15 minutes to this one: ARUL MIGU THURKADEVI HINDU SOCIETY
We'd been there once before, as it's a Sri Lankan run temple. About 20 years ago they bought an old community hall, so it sits independently. You can easily recognise it as a Tamil temple because of the vertical red and white stripes.
Inside, it's a typical small Amman temple, with Sri Thurga being the presiding deity. Ganesha, Murugan, and Siva are alsop there, as is Ayyappan. (Ayyappan isn't in all the South Indian style temples here, just some of them.)
This temple has limited hours during the week, but is open all day on weekends and stat holidays. We were there alone (except for the priest) for awhile but eventually a mother/son came by and another devotee.
One interesting thing about this temple is that once a year they have a sari sale. Thurga Amman only gets new saris, not washed ones. The tradition is for the Goddess to only wear a sari once. So once a year, a group of ladies sets the prices and then, as a fundraiser, they have a sale in their own community. Because of where that sari has been, people will pay more. I just thought it was a novel idea.
Another thing is a public display (bulletin board) of income/expenses for each month. I like that idea and wish more temples were open like that. It gets rid of 'secrecy'.
We remained through the noon puja, sat some, then chatted a bit with the other devotees before heading off to the next one.
We'd been there once before, as it's a Sri Lankan run temple. About 20 years ago they bought an old community hall, so it sits independently. You can easily recognise it as a Tamil temple because of the vertical red and white stripes.
Inside, it's a typical small Amman temple, with Sri Thurga being the presiding deity. Ganesha, Murugan, and Siva are alsop there, as is Ayyappan. (Ayyappan isn't in all the South Indian style temples here, just some of them.)
This temple has limited hours during the week, but is open all day on weekends and stat holidays. We were there alone (except for the priest) for awhile but eventually a mother/son came by and another devotee.
One interesting thing about this temple is that once a year they have a sari sale. Thurga Amman only gets new saris, not washed ones. The tradition is for the Goddess to only wear a sari once. So once a year, a group of ladies sets the prices and then, as a fundraiser, they have a sale in their own community. Because of where that sari has been, people will pay more. I just thought it was a novel idea.
Another thing is a public display (bulletin board) of income/expenses for each month. I like that idea and wish more temples were open like that. It gets rid of 'secrecy'.
We remained through the noon puja, sat some, then chatted a bit with the other devotees before heading off to the next one.
Less than 10 minutes away was this temple: ISKCON Vancouver We knew there was prasadam lunch there so the morning was planned to end here. I think the separate building was once a restaurant, but because of business license hassles, they changed it to a 'suggested donation' place, with the suggestion being $5. I increased it to 10, the equivalent of what we'd pay to go out.
But before that, we went into the temple itself. As we were entering, an Indian couple was leaving. So we had the place to ourselves. I selected a pillar to sit by and sat for awhile. No priest or devotee came out, and the main curtain was closed so we couldn't have darshan. It was also just near closing time for the morning. After sitting and soaking up the energy, we went over for lunch.
At this temple, because of the way the yards seemed unkept, garden needed work, etc. it seemed it had fewer devotees that during the glory days of ISKCON in the west. Vancouver was at one time San Francisco North. Certainly we only saw 2 or 3. Hard to tell really.
I had never been there back in the 70s. Just the impression I got. I think it's sort of sad. Still it's quite understandable given the propensity of Indian built temples in the immigrant community. Interested westerners just have more choices.
Then, later, on the drive, we found this temple. http://shivmandirburnaby.wordpress.com/ It was a Fijian run style temple, and only open 3 days a week, so we were unable to go in.
But before that, we went into the temple itself. As we were entering, an Indian couple was leaving. So we had the place to ourselves. I selected a pillar to sit by and sat for awhile. No priest or devotee came out, and the main curtain was closed so we couldn't have darshan. It was also just near closing time for the morning. After sitting and soaking up the energy, we went over for lunch.
At this temple, because of the way the yards seemed unkept, garden needed work, etc. it seemed it had fewer devotees that during the glory days of ISKCON in the west. Vancouver was at one time San Francisco North. Certainly we only saw 2 or 3. Hard to tell really.
I had never been there back in the 70s. Just the impression I got. I think it's sort of sad. Still it's quite understandable given the propensity of Indian built temples in the immigrant community. Interested westerners just have more choices.
Then, later, on the drive, we found this temple. http://shivmandirburnaby.wordpress.com/ It was a Fijian run style temple, and only open 3 days a week, so we were unable to go in.
After ISKCON, we decided to check out this one: Shree Mahalakshmi Temple Vancouver, BC, Canada
It's located much closer to downtown Vancouver, in a residential area, and not far from the Ganesha temple mentioned earlier. We figured it to be closed, but wanted to get the schedule. (Websites that provide schedules are useful, but the website didn't, so we did the next best thing.)
When we arrive we see some activity, mainly lots of construction. So we peek in, and then a young man greets us. Soon we learn that it's an older building in real need of wall and foundation repair, so just the very day before, building rehab construction had started. The entire front shrine is covered in plastic, and there is drywall dust and debris everywhere. We can't actually go and sit or visit with Mahalakshmi, but I can just tell that this place is a powerhouse. The clarity in the eyes of the young man, and the general feeling is really strong. It's long and narrow, but definitely maintains a vibration.
So we get to chatting: this place is really something. Each Sunday they feed over 1000 non-Hindus, mainly neighbours and some of Vancouver's homeless. After the puja ends around noon and devotees take prasad, the doors are opened to the general public, and stay open until 2 or 2:30, at which time they close.
Our host takes us to the basement to show us the kitchen and feeding area. There are tables laid out, room for about 200 max. He explains that they cycle people through. There is a massive pile of steel trays, and a large storage area containing massive pots. About 6 large stoves line the other side, with a counter along the middle where they serve it up. I just can't imagine what that place looks like on a Sunday. At one end beside the stoves is a restaurant style dishwasher.
During construction, we didn't see it, but they have erected a tent out back for temporary worship and prasad distribution.
We're about to go, but before we do, our host goes over to the kitchen area and gets 2 large plates of briyani for us. We're already full from eating at Govinda's so kind of perplexed. In the old days I would have just eaten it all without saying a word, and sufferer the gastric consequences for a couple of days. It's considered very rude to refuse food, most especially prasadam.
But maybe my wife intuits the nature of our host, whom we learn is actually familiar with our sampradaya too. (Generally people think we're with ISKCON) So she just asks if we can save it for later. He smiles knowingly and says, "no problem, of course." Needless to say, we don't need to purchase an evening meal on that night.
Now, of the 13 temples we go to on this trip, this is definitely another one we will return to. I'd love to go there when it's open, and on a Sunday.
It's located much closer to downtown Vancouver, in a residential area, and not far from the Ganesha temple mentioned earlier. We figured it to be closed, but wanted to get the schedule. (Websites that provide schedules are useful, but the website didn't, so we did the next best thing.)
When we arrive we see some activity, mainly lots of construction. So we peek in, and then a young man greets us. Soon we learn that it's an older building in real need of wall and foundation repair, so just the very day before, building rehab construction had started. The entire front shrine is covered in plastic, and there is drywall dust and debris everywhere. We can't actually go and sit or visit with Mahalakshmi, but I can just tell that this place is a powerhouse. The clarity in the eyes of the young man, and the general feeling is really strong. It's long and narrow, but definitely maintains a vibration.
So we get to chatting: this place is really something. Each Sunday they feed over 1000 non-Hindus, mainly neighbours and some of Vancouver's homeless. After the puja ends around noon and devotees take prasad, the doors are opened to the general public, and stay open until 2 or 2:30, at which time they close.
Our host takes us to the basement to show us the kitchen and feeding area. There are tables laid out, room for about 200 max. He explains that they cycle people through. There is a massive pile of steel trays, and a large storage area containing massive pots. About 6 large stoves line the other side, with a counter along the middle where they serve it up. I just can't imagine what that place looks like on a Sunday. At one end beside the stoves is a restaurant style dishwasher.
During construction, we didn't see it, but they have erected a tent out back for temporary worship and prasad distribution.
We're about to go, but before we do, our host goes over to the kitchen area and gets 2 large plates of briyani for us. We're already full from eating at Govinda's so kind of perplexed. In the old days I would have just eaten it all without saying a word, and sufferer the gastric consequences for a couple of days. It's considered very rude to refuse food, most especially prasadam.
But maybe my wife intuits the nature of our host, whom we learn is actually familiar with our sampradaya too. (Generally people think we're with ISKCON) So she just asks if we can save it for later. He smiles knowingly and says, "no problem, of course." Needless to say, we don't need to purchase an evening meal on that night.
Now, of the 13 temples we go to on this trip, this is definitely another one we will return to. I'd love to go there when it's open, and on a Sunday.
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
That is sad. They have a bigger area. Management problems?
Good to know that they are managing fine.
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