50,000 Celebrate New Hindu Temple

September 8, 2009

Author: Raveena Aulakh

Source: The Toronto Star

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/692189

Lord Ayyappan has a new home.

An eponymous temple devoted to the Hindu god was consecrated in Scarborough with an elaborate ceremony spanning the long weekend and attended by an estimated 50,000 people from across North America.

"It's a very important day for us," said Thiru Sivasamy, devotee, volunteer and treasurer of the temple board, during the inauguration yesterday. "The temple has been built by first-generation Sri Lankan and Indian immigrants who may not have had too much money to donate, but had faith."

The Canada Sri Ayyappan Temple – on Middlefield Rd. near Finch Ave. E. – took more than a decade to build and cost $10 million. Yesterday, followers celebrated Lord Ayyappan's homecoming in the 22,000-square-foot space.