கனடாவில் ஸ்வாமி நாராயண் கோவில் எழுகிறது

பாப்ஸி என்ற அமைப்பின் மூலம் கல்லால் கட்டபப்ட்டு ஆயிரக்கணக்கான வருடங்கள் இருக்கும் அளவுக்கு 7 ஏக்கரில் மாபெரும் ஸ்வாமிநாராயண் கோவில் கனடாவில் எழுகிறது.

வாழ்க வளமுடன்

Hindu temple built to last 1,000 years
Stone temple a Canadian first
BY TAMARA SHEPHARD
July 19, 2007 02:02 PM
Canada's most intricately carved Hindu temple is set to open Sunday.

Indian craftsmen and builders worked feverishly Wednesday under a hot July sun to lay the mandir's entrance floor as backhoes rumbled and sprinklers watered the grounds' freshly laid sod.

Indian men in elegant suits and women wearing saris greeted the media outside the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, built on seven hectares in an industrial area near Hwy. 427 and Finch Avenue West.

The BAPS are hosting a 13-day Indo-Canadian Heritage Festival, the pinnacle of which is Sunday's opening, expected to attract thousands, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Toronto Mayor David Miller and BAPS leader Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who is making the trek from India.

The $40-million grand mandir is the first of its kind in Canada to be built according to ancient Indian Vedic engineering principles - without use of steel or nails. It is built to last 1,000 years.

The mandir is magnificent in both its stature and in its detail.

Tonnes of white Turkish limestone and translucent Carrara Italian marble were shipped to villages in India, where they were painstakingly carved by craftsmen. Intricate carvings of gods and goddesses and welcoming dancing peacocks (India's national bird), lotus flowers and royal elephants adorn the temple's exterior and interior.

So intricate is the carving, one pillar took three craftsmen nine months to create.

The individual stone pieces - 24,000 in all - were labelled with bar codes before being shipped to Canada.

Once here, the stone met the skilled hands of 101 artisans flown over from India to construct the mandir.

Two challenges presented - harsh Canadian winters which suspended construction, and allowed the artisans to return to their families in India - and convincing city officials that the mandir was sound engineering, said Narendra Sachdev, project manager of construction.

"It is a magnificent gift to Canada," BAPS Prakesh Patel said. "It is a unique architectural masterpiece."

Patel said the mandir is a testament to the spirit of voluntarism, of time, effort and finances given by Indo-Canadian children, youth, adults and seniors. "Children decided not to eat chocolate for two years, and instead to put their coins in their piggy banks (to donate to the mandir's construction)."

The Indo-Canadian community donated a significant portion of the funding, but more must be raised.

"It will be of economic benefit to the city and the province," said public relations director Charles Sachdev, adding government funding would be welcomed. "The public sector and private foundations should become partners and join hands with us."

Visitors may visit to admire the mandir's architecture, education about Indian culture and societal contributions or to "sit and feel at peace," Sachdev said.

Neighbouring the mandir is the haveli - a community centre built of Burmese teak, much of it also intricately carved. Built in 2003, the Haveli hosts worship, a large assembly hall, gymnasium, library, and classrooms offering language instruction, as well as training in yoga, meditation, traditional dance, drama and music.

Last spring, the Haveli drew 2,000 visitors during Doors Open Toronto.

The Swaminaryan complex includes another first for Canada - the Canadian Museum of Cultural Heritage of Indo-Canadians. The 1,800-square-metre museum is dedicated to showcasing an understanding of the history, civilization, diversity and cultural heritage of Canadians whose ancestry originates in India.

"The museum will attract thousands of Indo-Canadians," activity co-ordinator Aarti Patel said. "And visitors can experience what it's like to immigrate to Canada from India.

"The community will more fully integrate into the vibrant life of the country, and it will facilitate stronger intercultural relations which will result in mutual respect and harmony."