Grand opening of Hindu Heritage Centre, whose mission is to promote Hindu culture and civilization, will be held on 8 May 2011 in Mississauga (Ontario, Canada). Opening ceremonies, being held from May five to eight, also include Hanumanji sthapana, Dome sthapana, cultural program, shobha yatra, puja, etc. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Swami Gopal Sharan Devacharya from India are expected to participate.
Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of Centre management and Mississauga and surrounding area community to realize this wonderful Hindu Heritage Centre.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this Centre would focus in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.
This Centre aims to provide/organize many religious, spiritual, and social services/activities—including prayers, havans, satsangs, bhajans, meditations, weekly preetibhoj; celebrations of Deepavali, Holi, Mahashivratri, Navaratri, Ramnavmi, Rakshabandhan, Purnima, Krishan Janamashtmi, Karva Chauth, Gita Jayanti, etc., festivals; visits of religious scholars, bhajan singers, etc.; special programs focused at seniors, youth and children; classes for yoga, Indian classical dances, Indian classical music, Indian languages, etc.; discourses on Hindu scriptures; matrimonial services; etc. Spread over 2.4 acres, it reportedly contains idols of Lord Shiv and Parvati, Lord Ram and Sita, Lord Krishan and Radha, Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi, Lord Suryanarayan and Lord Ganesh. One of its objectives is to “dispel misinformation and myths about Hinduism”. Surinder Shastri is the Head Priest and others associated with the Centre include Dr. Girdhari & Chand Patodia and Lalit & Sulekha Satija.
Canada’s sixth largest city and home to Canada’s largest airport and headquarters of various Fortune 500 businesses, Mississauga had been recognized as the safest city in Canada. Notable people associated with Mississauga include actors Adamo Ruggiero and Deanna Casaluce; musicians Rik Emmett, Oscar Peterson and Natalie Appleton; supermodel Daria Werbowy; National Football League player Klaus Wilmsmeyer; golfer Al Balding; etc. About five percent of its population is Hindu and Hazel McCallion and Janice M. Baker are Mayor and City Manager respectively.
Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents.
office of the mayor mississauga may 2014 hindu heritage centre
hindu heritage centre mississauga lectures on bhagavad gita