Hindus in Canada Celebrate Shivratri

February 16, 2007

Source: The Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Hindus_in_Canada_celebrate_Shivratri/articleshow/1626806.cms

VANCOUVER: Devout Hindus have taken their religion and culture to far off shores and Shivratri is no exception. The Indian community in Hamilton, Ontario has been busy in the run-up to this important festival.

Since the past seven days, Hindus living across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) have thronged the Hindu Samaj temple with flowers, fruit gifts and to pray.

"Everything emanates from Shiva," said temple vice-president Subash Dighe.

"Without this ceremony, the temple wouldn't exist. Everything begins and everything ends in Shiva," he added.

Unfortunately, a fire devastated the temple a few days after 9/11. And because Hindu gods and goddesses are considered living beings the ones dragged from the fire at the Hamilton temple were given a ceremonial burial in Hamilton Harbour, according to the Hamilton Spectator newspaper.