Hindu Temple of Ottawa-Carleton

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Hindu Temple of Ottawa-Carleton
Hindu Temple of Ottawa Carleton.JPG
Hindu Temple looking northeast
Religion
Affiliation Hinduism
District Ottawa
Province Ontario
Festivals Holi, Janmaashtami, Navarathri, Diwali
Governing body12 members
Location
Location4835 Bank Street
Country Canada
Canada Ontario location map 2.svg
Om symbol.svg
Location in Ontario
Geographic coordinates 45°18′37″N75°35′13″W / 45.310263°N 75.586807°W / 45.310263; -75.586807
Architecture
Type Hindu, adapted to Canadian weather
CreatorPandit Madhu Sahasrabudhe
Completed1985
Monument(s)9 shrines
Website
hindutemple.ca

Hindu Temple of Ottawa-Carleton is a significant Hindu temple in the Gloucester section of Ottawa.

Contents

For the first time, a Hindu temple in Eastern Ontario in 1985. The temple is located on Bank Street in the rural area to the south of urban Ottawa, south-east of the airport. The site, previously a cornfield, was purchased for the temple in 1984. The $4 million structure, funded by donations made by Canadian Hindus, was officially opened in 1989. It serves the estimated 6,000 Hindus who live in Ottawa, as well as acting as a community and cultural centre for the community with halls, libraries, and other resources. The temple follows traditional Hindu architectural styles, though compromises had to be made to adapt to the cold and weight of snow accumulation. The temple has nine shrines: Ganesha, Kartikeya, Krishna with Radha, Shiva, Lakshmi with Narayana, Rama with Sita and Lakshmana with Hanuman, Durga, Hanuman, and Nataraja.

The effort to build the temple was by Pandit Madhu Sahasrabudhe, a food science researcher who had also served as a priest in the city since 1960. Until his death in 2004 Sahasrabudhe also played an essential role in the community. He is the chair of the Capital Region Interfaith Council. In 2002, he led prayers at a multi-faith thanksgiving event with the Queen in attendance. He frequently appeared as part of the Ottawa Citizen's panel of local religious leaders.

Main deities at the Temple

Major festivals celebrated

See also

References