HINDU Temple Burnaby’s Diwali Show this year will be held on Sunday, October 5 with the usual pomp and show as well as a delicious vegetarian dinner between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. The show itself will kick off at 7 p.m. at Burnaby’s Michael J. Fox Theatre at 7373 McPherson Avenue and wrap up at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and include dinner.

Meanwhile, the Fund Raising and Building Committees along with the Board of Directors have been working very hard to complete the new temple building and they invite devotees to see the progress with their own eyes by driving to 5420 Marine Drive, Burnaby.

“You will be impressed and you will get an urge within yourself to help us complete this magnificent temple and be a part of the history. You can help us with cash donations or you can sponsor a room, the elevator, kitchen equipment and appliances, flooring, lighting, and other features.  We want our temple to be mortgage-free as soon as possible,” says Krishan Soni, Chairperson, Fund Raising Committee.

So far four classrooms and the library have been sponsored by devotees.  There are some rooms still available for sponsorship such as the main halls, auditorium / wedding hall, multipurpose room for seniors, dance classes, yoga, and small functions, priest’s suites and so on. Ask for details.  You can also be donor in the bronze circle ($1,000 to $5000), silver ($5,001 – $10,000), gold ($10,001 – $25,000), diamond ($25,001-$ 60,000) and platinum ($60,001 and up).

“When completed, our 31000 sq. ft. temple will be one of the largest Hindu temples in North America – blending traditional and contemporary values.  The new temple building is just over half completed – thanks to all donors. Donors over $1,000 will be recognised.  As of August 31, 2014, we have collected $553,161 in cash donation – an increase of $225,221 over the last year’s Diwali Show held in October 2013.  The temple reserves the right to change or modify any room, size, dimensions or price without notice, says Soni.

A musical concert by Swami Dr. Satya Prakash called “Ek Shaam Radha Krishna Ke Naam” will be held on October 16 at Fraserview Banquet Hall, 8240 Fraser Street, Vancouver, at 7 p.m. Contact Naresh Shukla at 604-327-2009 for tickets and more information.