467 East 11th Ave. is not just a location but a living testament to the rich history of the Indo-Canadian community in Vancouver, a place that has witnessed the transition of faith and the unity of communities.
This site, with its deep historical roots, invites us to connect with the past and understand the journey of our community.
It is where the Shri Mahalakshmi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, was established by Pandit Prameya Chaitanya in 1990.
Before the Hindu temple, the Akali Singh Sikh Society’s Gurdwara Sahib occupied the space until 1983.
This transition from a Sikh Gurdwara to a Hindu temple is a change of faith and a powerful symbol of the enduring unity and respect between Hindus and Sikhs in Canada.
The society moved to a bigger piece of land, 3.8 acres, and built a sprawling Gurdwara at 1890 Skeena Street, at the edge of Vancouver’s east side.
The Akali Singh Sikh Society was established in April 1952 by some members of the Sikh Community in British Columbia.
The 11th Ave. site was originally an Evangelical Church, which the Sikh society initially rented. Later, it bought the church property and established the Gurdwara Sahib.
When the Akali Singh Sikh Society moved to its new location on Skeena Street, it decided to sell the 11th Ave site only to some religious or charitable organization.
It resolved not to sell the property to any developer, as the divine and spiritual place could be converted into a pub because of its prime location in the core of the city.
Luckily, the newly formed Mahalaxmi society, Shree Vidya Pitha Hindu Temple, was looking for a space but did not have enough funds.
The immense generosity of the Akali Society allowed the place to be sold to the Hindu society at a significantly reduced price, preserving its sanctity.
Ever since, whenever the Mahalaxmi temple holds its big functions, the Akali Singh management members and the priests have been honoured guests with special presentations as a gesture of thanks and appreciation for establishing the Hindu temple.
This act of goodwill is a testament to the strong bonds of respect and unity between our communities.
-By Promod Puri
Promod Puri.com 