BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a Hindu temple that attracts visitors from all walks of life due to its stunning architecture. While the architecture of the mandir is amazing on its own, the construction of the mandir is even more impressive.
You can't miss the
gorgeous white edifice that appears like it's straight out of a fairytale book
if you're driving on the 427 past Finch Avenue.
The entire structure was
built in about 18 months by 400 BAPS volunteers using no steel, metal, or
reinforced concrete.
Swaminarayan Temple first opened in July of 2007
The mandir is entirely
built of Turkish limestone, Indian pink sandstone, and Italian marble. The
delicate components were engineered to fit together exactly, with the largest
stone weighing 5.6 tonnes and the tiniest weighing only 50 grams.
The BAPS Shri
Swaminarayan Mandir, the first of its kind in Canada, drew a lot of attention
when it originally opened in July 2007.
According to Toronto media
outlets, it is an architectural masterpiece, a monument to faith, and a
representation of the country's diversity.
"The temple, which
cost $40 million, is an architectural marvel. The intricately sculpted
decorations and statues adorn the walls, pillars, and roof. It appeared to be a
shimmering crystal castle under yesterday's brilliant sun "Following the
opening, the Toronto Star stated.
A Haveli hand-carved in
Burmese teak is part of the complex. The Haveli is a welcoming courtyard with a
lobby filled with hundreds of carved sculptures of musicians, poets, and
dancers. Hundreds of dancing peacocks, lotus blossoms, and royal elephants are
depicted on wooden columns and panels. There is also an ongoing exhibition on
Understanding Hindu Dharma, which highlights India's rich legacy.
The mandir allows visitors to
practice and experience Hinduism, while the heritage museum exhibits
Indo-Canadian history and culture.
Architectural Significance Of Swaminarayan Temple
Its one-of-a-kind stone
and marble design were created following the principles outlined in Hindu books
defining sacred building standards known as 'Shilpa Shastras.'
The temple was built by over
1,800 artisans in Rajasthan, India, and then moved to Canada. The 24,000
hand-carved stone pieces were reassembled by 101 Indian volunteer artisans who
spent two years on the construction site.
They erected more than 95,000
cubic feet of stone, including 2,638 tonnes of Turkish limestone, 2,260 tonnes
of Carrara marble, and 1,484 tonnes of Indian pink sandstone, using building
skills passed down from generation to generation by craftsmen in India.
Containers weighing up to 5.6 tonnes were used to transport the stone to
Canada.
The mandir's 340 pillars, 112
of which are beautifully carved, 132 archways, and a variety of domes,
pinnacles, and stone crowns are among its many outstanding characteristics. The
temple is a meditation area, thus guests must be silent. Several daily rituals,
like Aarti and Abhishek, are performed at the mandir and are open to
guests.
Almost every inch of
the structure is adorned with sculpted deities representing various Hindu
ideals. Elephants, peacocks, and horses were all meticulously etched into the
stone.
According to the BAPSChannel, the spiritual guru and present BAPS leader, Mahant Swami Maharaj, is the living source of inspiration for this mandir.
The construction was
finished so rapidly thanks to the assistance of the rest of the BAPS community
and dedicated volunteers.
They helped with
planning, scheduling, stone polishing, and everything else they could think of.
All of their efforts were rewarded on July 22, 2007, when the BAPS Shri
Swaminarayan Mandir was opened to the public.
Inaugural
Ceremony
The inaugural ceremony was
attended by politicians from all parties, including Prime Minister Stephen
Harper, Toronto Mayor David Miller, Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion, and NDP
Leader Jack Layton.
Since its inception,
the mandir has been noted for organizing festivals, festivities, and a wide
range of activities. For nearly a decade, it welcomed children, students,
adults, and the elderly through its doors.
Unfortunately, it, like
many other institutions, was forced to close because of the COVID-19
pandemic.
The Temple Functioned As A COVID-19 Vaccination Center
All facilities and
services are closed till further notice, according to their website, to
guarantee the safety of all visitors, congregants, and volunteers.
To combat the spread of
COVID-19, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir hosted Ontario's first COVID-19
vaccine pop-up clinic in a high-risk neighborhood in April.
The clinic was run by BAPS
Charities in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Toronto Public Health,
and the William Osler Health System, to vaccinate 15,000 people.
While the COVID-19
pandemic continues to keep BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir closed to the public,
the majestic structure awaits the day when it can once again be filled with
people.
The Toronto mandir is part of
a global network of traditional Hindu temples, including the BAPS Shri
Swaminarayan Mandir in Atlanta and the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Sanstha Mandir outside
of Chicago.
Temple
Timings
· 1. The
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 6:30
p.m.
· 2. Parking
and admission are free.
· 3. Guests
must follow the standards of etiquette and dress code. Shorts, miniskirts, and
sleeveless tops are not permitted.
· 4. When
entering, visitors must remove their shoes.
· 5. Except
outside the Mandir, photography is not permitted.
· 6. Silence
must be maintained.
Other
Places Of Attraction
- · Indian
Line Conservation Area
- · Donald
M. Gordon Chinguacousy Park
- · Wet
'n' Wild Toronto
- · Black
Creek Pioneer Village
- · Humber
Arboretum
- · Fantasy
Fair at Woodbine Centre
- · Woodbine
Racetrack
- · Toronto
Kalibari
- · Rowntree
Mills Park
- · SVBF Sarada Temple
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