Prime Minister of Canada, Justin TrudeauAttends 10thAnniversary Celebrations of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Toronto

The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canadaattended the 10thanniversary celebrations of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto on Saturday July 22, 2017. The celebrations took place in the presence of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the current spiritual leader of the BAPS SwaminarayanSanstha.The celebrations were attended by thousands of devotees people from across Canada and around the globe.As Prime Minister Trudeau entered the Mandir grounds, he was welcomed by the BAPS youth who presented a colourful traditional dance. Climbingup the stepsof the Mandir, he was welcomedwith a garland by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS.The children and youth then sang the Canadian and Indian national anthems. Thereafter, a plaque was inauguratedto commemoratethehistoricoccasion.After admiring the breathtaking beauty of the Mandirand paying respectinsideto the sacred images of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and his ideal devotee Gunatitanand Swami. The Prime Minister Trudeauthenaddressed the assembly. “It’s truly a pleasure and honourto join you in celebrating 10 years of the BAPS Shri SwaminarayanMandir as well as the vibrant community that made this possible”, said Prime Minister Trudeau. “How remarkable and fitting it is that when visitors come to Canada, through our largest airport, Pearson International, one of the first Canadian sites people see off Highway 427 is this Mandir.”The Prime Minister encouraged all Canadians to visit the Mandir saying, “I hope all Canadians can find the time to come visit this magnificent site and learn more about the rich history of the Hindu community right here in Canada at home.”During the celebrations, His Worship John Tory, the Mayor of Toronto, presented His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, with the Key to the City of Toronto, the city’s highest honour. The key is bestowed by the Mayor to distinguished persons and honoured guests of the city of Toronto. Mayor Tory said in his press release, "I am honouredto recognize his Holiness' global and Toronto-based humanitarian, charitable, and community-building efforts through BAPS Charities Canada," said Mayor Tory. "His Holiness' great contributions have enriched Toronto and there is no better setting to bestowthis honour than the BAPS Mandir, a unique and majestic white marble temple and an architectural masterpiece that adds to the multicultural mosaic of the city."“The BAPS Mandir is an architectural masterpiece carved out of faith and out of love,in Canada’s largest city. It isan inspiration for those who pray here and who gather here, but also,I can assure you, an inspiration for all Torontonians, for all Canadians, and for people from around this continent and around the world who come to visit”, added Mayor Tory.High Commissioner Swarup said, “Today we celebrate, not just the beauty contained in this combination of stone and marble. We also celebrate the vision which animated this project, and the devotion and dedication of thousands of worshippers and well-wishers from Canada and beyond which led to its successful completion. This temple has become the focal point for individuals, families and the local community.A special custom Canada Post stamp (CAD$ value of Permanent Domestic) was unveiled to commemorate the historic occasion of the 10th anniversary of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
and tohonourthe contributions of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in enriching the lives of individuals, families and the communities in Canada. The President and CEO, Canada Post, Mr. Deepak Chopra joined His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj for the unveiling of the custom Canada Post stamps. Dr. Shafiq Qaadri, MPP, Etobicoke-North broughta message of congratulations from the Government of Ontario.On this historic occasion, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj said, “On Canada’s 150thanniversary, and on this Mandir’s 10thanniversary, I would like to offer a prayer. May this beautiful country, Canada, prosper in all ways. May everyone in Canada live in harmony. May the Prime Minister be a leader, who strengthens the unity of the country. May the people of Canada be happy and peaceful. May this Mandir continue to inspire everyone towards better living. May the whole world unite as one big family.”As acentral place of Hindu worship, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was inauguratedon July 22, 2017and was made possible by the spiritual support, guidance, and inspiration of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Today, Mahant Swami Maharaj carries forward this work and legacy as the current spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.Throughhis leadership and guidance, Mahant Swami Maharaj invites people of all faiths and cultural backgrounds to visit and explorethe Mandir, its architecture, and its Hindu teachings.The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan in Torontois thefirst of its kind in Canada,and community volunteers welcomed the ten-year anniversary celebrations in the presence of Mahant Swami Maharajwith the same zeal and excitement they experienced back in 2007. Over the past tenyears,the Mandir has welcomed people from all walks of life, leaving a lasting impression in their lives. Special programs, events and festivals at the Mandir provide an opportunity for community members to explore and practice Hindu traditions and faith. The Mandir is also the site of various charitable initiatives that include health fairs, blood drives, and community walkathons for people of all ages –merging the spirit of service with volunteerism. On the occasion of the 10th Anniversary Celebration, to continue its goal of supporting the community through health initiatives, BAPS, through its humanitarian wing BAPS Charities, announced a new partnership the William Osler Health System by presenting a cheque for $25,000 to the William Osler Health System Foundation in support their health research activities. Also, Blood Donation Drive was organized which helped collect 100 pints of blood. To preserve and promote environmental protection, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj participated in the planting of a memorial tree at Niagara Falls, Canada.More details at www.baps.org/toronto10. Alsofollow #BAPStoronto10 and #MahantSwamion social media for more details regarding anniversary celebrations and His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj’s North America visit.###About BAPSThe BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a worldwide spiritual and humanitarian organization that is dedicated to community service, peace, and harmony. Motivated by Hindu principles, BAPS strives to care for the world by caring for societies, families, and individuals. Through various spiritual and humanitarian activities, BAPS endeavors to develop better citizensof tomorrow with high esteem for their roots and culture. Its 3,300 international centers support these character-building activities. Under the guidance and leadership of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, BAPS
aspires to build a community that is free of addictions as well as morally, ethically and spiritually pure. For more details, please visitwww.baps.org.About Mahant Swami MaharajHis Holiness Mahant Swami Maharajis the sixth and current spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He was ordained a swami by Yogiji Maharaj in 1961 and named Sadhu Keshavjivandas. As he was appointed the head (Mahant) of the Mandir in Mumbai, he became known as Mahant Swami. His devout, humble and service-focused life earned him the innermost blessings of Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Mahant Swami Maharaj travels throughout the world inspiring people through his insightful spiritual discourses and disciplined conduct. Hisvirtuous lifestyle and profound devotion to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and gurus are ideals toward which devotees strive. Mahant Swami Maharaj became the guru and President of BAPS upon Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s passing in 2016.About Pramukh Swami MaharajPramukh Swami Maharaj was the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Under his leadership, BAPS grew into an international spiritual and humanitarian organization with over 3,300 centers worldwide. He dedicated his life to the well-being of others, traveling throughout the world to foster love, peace, harmony, righteousness, faith in God, and service to humanity. With genuine care and compassion, he reached out to all members of society irrespective of class, color, or age. Recognized and respected as one of India's greatest spiritual teachers, he lived by and promoted the principle: “In the joy of others, lies our own.”CONTACT: media@na.baps.orgSOURCE: BAPS