Hindu Heritage Centre

Hindu Heritage Centre
हिन्दू सांस्कृतिक केन्द्र
The view of Hindu Heritage Centre from the front
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictMississauga
ProvinceOntario
FestivalsHoli, Janmaashtami, Navaratri, Diwali
Location
Location6300 Mississauga Road, L5M 1A7
CountryCanada
Shown within Ontario
Coordinates43°35′38″N 79°43′49″W / 43.593827°N 79.730283°W / 43.593827; -79.730283
Architecture
ArchitectK Paul Architect Inc.
TypeHindu, with an infusion of European and Canadian.
CreatorSurinder Sharma Shastri Co-founder & Head Priest, Dr Shachi Rattan Co-founder [1]
CompletedConstruction commenced in 2006 and completed in 2011
Monument14 shrines
Website
http://www.hinduvision.com

Hindu Heritage Centre (Hindi: हिन्दू सांस्कृतिक केन्द्र) is a Hindu temple and a Hindu Community Centre located in the city of Mississauga, Ontario, in the Streetsville neighbourhood. The 25 000 square feet temple[2] serves Hindus from the Greater Toronto Area and is considered to be one of the largest Hindu temples in Canada.[3] It features a 10,000 square foot prayer hall, 16 classrooms where daily meditations and scripture teachings are also offered, as are classes in Indian languages, Hindu music and dance, Hindu culture, yoga, and social programs for seniors,[4] and a 9,000 square foot banquet hall also exists for cultural events.[5]

History

The 2.4-acre land[6] was purchased in 2005, and construction commenced in late 2006. The temple officially opened on a three-day celebration from May 5 to May 8, 2011. Former Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty along with Ontario Ministers Eric Hoskins and Charles Sousa and local MPP Bob Delaney from Mississauga Streetsville, attended the official ceremony.[7]

In 2011, Hindu Heritage Centre was nominated as an architecture icon of Mississauga by Door Opens Mississauga. As a part of the Culture Days celebration, every year three days of the week in July are dedicated to this program where guided tours of the temple are available.[8]

On November 11, 2017 The Canadian Armed Forces represented by the Toronto Scottish Regiment took part in the first Remembrance Day Ceremony to ever be held in a Hindu Temple in Canada's history.[9] The Military first marched to the Hindu Heritage Centre. The ceremony then took place where Hindu pundits blessed the regimental colours and conducted a ceremony of remembrance for Canada’s fallen soldiers. The Hindu Priest did a Shanti Paath for all the soldiers who sacrificed their life for Freedom in both world wars.

Tallest Lord Ram Statue in North America

In August 2025, the Centre unveiled the tallest statue of Lord Ram in North America: a 51-foot fibreglass idol (on a 7-foot pedestal, with plans for a future chhatri), fabricated in Delhi and assembled in Canada. Designed to withstand winds of up to 200 km/h and projected to last for a century, it was formally inaugurated on August 3, 2025, with a procession, Vedic ceremonies, and participation from federal and provincial dignitaries. More than 10,000 community members were a part of the inauguration. The statue quickly became a viral sensation and powerful symbol of cultural identity and unity in the Greater Toronto Area.[10][11][12][13][14]

Main deities at the Temple

Major festivals celebrated

See also

References

  1. ^ "Hindu Heritage Centre opens". 8 May 2011.
  2. ^ Hackle, Chad. "Mississauga News". News Report. Mississauga News. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  3. ^ "Culture Days". Website. Culture Days Mississauga. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  4. ^ "Hindu Heritage Centre opens". 8 May 2011.
  5. ^ "Mississauga Hindu Heritage Centre: Not only a temple, but a Cultural Centre also". South Asian Generation Next. May 11, 2011. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  6. ^ "The Voice". Newspaper. The Weekly Voice. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  7. ^ John, Stewart (May 5, 2011). "Premier Joins Hindu Celebration". Mississauga News. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  8. ^ "Doors Open Mississauga". Article. Doors Open Mississauga. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  9. ^ "A 'first time ever in Canada' Remembrance Day ceremony in Streetsville". 11 November 2017.
  10. ^ "'Ram Rajya reaches Ontario': North America's tallest 51-foot Ram idol has the Internet bowing". The Economic Times. 6 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  11. ^ "51-foot-tall statue of Lord Ram unveiled in Canada's Mississauga; mayor says 'spectacular landmark for Hindu community'". The Times of India. 6 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Canada: Tallest idol of Lord Ram inaugurated in North America". Hindustan Times. 4 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  13. ^ "'A source of inspiration,' Here's what's behind a 51-foot statue unveiled in Mississauga". Now Toronto. 9 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  14. ^ "The artist behind the 51-foot tall statue of Lord Ram in Canada". The Indian Express. 6 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  • " Mississauga Hindu Heritage Centre: Not only a temple, but a Cultural Centre also" South Asian Generation Next. May 11, 2011 pg 1
  • "Much anticipated Hindu Heritage Centre opens" Chad H. The Mississauga News. May 9, 2011. pg. C.25
  • "Premier joins Hindu Celebration" John Stewart. The Mississauga News. May 5, 2011.
  • "Hindu Heritage Centre: More than a place of worship" Sunil Mehta Hindu Abroad.June 8, 2013 pg 4 C.10
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