It has been many years in waiting to fulfil our aspirations of building a Hindu (Saiva) Temple in the national capital region of Ottawa. As such, with the population of the Hindu community increasing annually in this part of the region, we felt, it is imperative that we give utmost priority and address this issue without further delay by building a place of worship and sanctity, where the Hindus can fulfil their religious obligations of worship, observing holy days and practice virtuous living. Moreover, it will also provide a place where people of all religious background and culture can congregate and share their interests and experiences related with each ones culture, art, history, and language. Furthermore, Hindu children and their friends can learn the Hindu religious and cultural heritage. Such a temple will give an opportunity to demonstrate the rich and varied tradition and history of the world’s oldest faith that we have been so blessed with over many centuries.
After almost twenty five years of relentless efforts, patience, great sacrifices, determination, and financial support from a number of dedicated members of the Ottawa Tamil Hindu community, the dream of a Tamil Hindu temple of their own has finally became a reality by the grace of Almighty. Approximately, 5 acres of land with a building suitable for expansion has already been acquired in North Gower. The national capital region of Ottawa gained a new addition to its cultural and spiritual life and landscape on April 29, 2007. On that day the Ottawa Tamil Hindu Temple was inaugurated with the ceremony of Bhumi Puja (purification of the land) and laying of the first foundation stone for the new temple in front of a formidable gathering of religious personnel. Since then building has been renovated to be a Hindu temple for placement of statues of Hindu deities to be procured. A grand consecrating ceremony (Kumbabishekam) of the temple in the acquired place was held from July 11th to July 15th 2007 in the presence of more than 500 devotees. Since then; the temple is serving as a place of worship and sanctity, where the Hindus are fulfilling their religious obligations of worship, observing holy days and practice virtuous living the people of Ottawa.
The Ottawa Sivan temple is a non-profit organization administered by democratically elected devotee volunteers solely dependent on donations by devotees for the benefit of the Hindu community. The temple provides opportunity for the community to learn about Hindu culture, spirituality, philosophies, traditions and the path to self-discipline, moral values and thereby make better person in society.
We are in the initial stages of developing this temple. Much has to be done and with the grace of almighty we hope to have subsequent expansion and upgrading to accommodate larger congregation of the expanding population of Tamil Hindu community to pursue their faith. We trust that this temple will quench the spiritual thirst of the Tamil Hindus for generations to come.
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