With the dream of starting a Mandir in the East end of Toronto, eight families unified in vision, raised funds and in 1989 purchased a property in Pickering, 2590 Brock Road. The intent was to use this small house as a Mandir. Satya Sanatan Dharma Cultural Sabha of Canada (SSDCS) was registered as a licensed Charity in 1990 and the small house was used as a Mandir for about 10 years.
Under the support and guidance of Pundit Ramdath Vyas, the founding members group gathered religiously for many years, inviting new families and community members to join their cause. They inspired hundreds of other families to join in worship, attend cultural events and get involved. Soon a new larger structure was required.
Through many years of fundraising events, community support, private financial and professional donations; we were able to build our beautiful Mata Ji’s home, the newly built Devi Mandir was opened in 1997 and the Auditorium named after Pt. Ramdath Vyas Ji.
We at the Devi Mandir are very pleased to provide a variety of services to Our Community. Each person can find that which appeals to them and participate in a capacity that brings joy, happiness and enlightenment.
Today we are inspired to continue serving Our Community through:
-Teaching our Dharma
-Providing Spiritual Support and Guidance
-Offering cultural classes: Kirtan, Dance, Bal Vikaas, Vocal, Harmonium, Tabla.
-Opening our doors for Community events, family celebrations, yagnas, pujas, weddings and a variety of classes.
We will always be grateful to these founding families and their vision which provided the great start of Devi Mandir:
Krishna Doolsingh & Family
Deodath Maharaj & Family
Mohan Samlal & Family
Seelal Binda & Family
Seukaram Pirtam & Family
Amarnath Binda & Family
Kaloutie Permanand & Family
Harry Sahu & Family
Devi Mandir celebrated its accomplishments of the past 30 years in 2019.
Devi Mandir works closely with a number of partners. For example, the Durham Regional Police Service makes it mandatory for new recruits to attend sessions at our institution, for religious and cultural awareness training before they graduate. DRPS recently presented Devi Mandir with a plaque for its support in this recruitment process. Devi Mandir was also a recipient of a 2006 City of Pickering Civic Award in Environmental Stewardship for environmental contributions such as educating people on reducing greenhouse gases through the Greening of Sacred Spaces program, and installing solar panels in the parking lot, which was mainly a youth initiative.
