It was June 2005. As immigrants, my family and I moved to Danforth, a Bengali-dominated neighborhood in Toronto, and stayed at my brother’s place. Everything was already arranged. Within a couple of days, I found Swapon Sarkar’s betel nut shop and started visiting regularly. Gradually, I started making new acquaintances and joined a new social circle. Since I didn’t have much work, I spent most of my time socializing.
Soon, it was the Bengali New Year, Pohela Boishakh. In Bangladesh, I used to visit the temple every year on this day. But I didn’t know where the temple was in Toronto. After searching, I found out that there was a temple in Mississauga but no temple for Bengali Hindus in the city of Toronto. This realization disturbed me. How could there be so many Bengalis living here, yet no temple for them?
Incidentally, this topic came up in a conversation one day. Discussions continued for several days. Finally, we decided to build a temple. The search for a suitable location began. I must mention a few names for their significant contributions to this noble endeavor: Satya Saha, Partha Bhattacharya, Sajal Banik, Soumitra Chowdhury, Bimal Bhoumik, Shankar Debray, Subhash Pal, and others. We visited many places with them. Real estate agents Mr. Tana and Mr. Mannan provided us with immense support during this time.
In 2007, Durga Puja was organized as usual at the Kantaswamy (Sri Lankan Temple) under the banner of the Cultural Association. One evening, when I brought up the topic of our own temple, Sudip Som and Debabrata De advised me that if we took the initiative with any one of the organizations, the Dharma Ashram or the Cultural Association, we would have a good chance of success. With a lot of uncertainty, we spent our days with a desire to establish our own temple. At that time, the Cultural Association was operating from the basement of a house.
After a few days, Arun Dutt, the then president of the Cultural Association, joined us at the Danforth hangout. We told him about our dream. He is the president of an organization, but without any discussion with his committee, he said that he was with us.
At that time, the committee of the Cultural Association had almost completed the preparations to install this idol in the basement of a building. We were not satisfied with the idea of worship in the basement. We requested the committee to stop the process for a day. Meanwhile, by talking privately with the owner of the Indian-owned Ranka Industries, we secured a place for the temple at 300 Danforth Road. The monthly rent was $3,600.
This journey began in 2008 with many winding paths and words of despair. Then, on an auspicious day, a lamp was lit in the first Bengali temple in Toronto. I must reiterate that Arun Dutta was the man who, despite all obstacles, provided us with unwavering support in this endeavor.
Initially, only a handful of devotees would come. I began picking up the elderly devotees in my own car. During the winter, Alok Dutta and Partha Bhattacharya would clear the snow in front of the temple. One winter evening, Anuj, an agricultural scientist, Shubhra Saha, came to the temple with her child. She lived nearby at that time. Feeling that she could be relied upon, I handed her the temple keys on the very first day. As far as I know, she has been faithfully fulfilling her duties ever since.
In 2009, as per tradition, elections were announced for the temple. Considering that we needed leadership to gift the community its own temple, a 12-member panel was announced. Many things happened after that. Eventually, we could no longer stay together. We started anew.
In June 2009, at Parmita Purkayastha’s house, a group of like-minded individuals met for the first time to decide on the source of funds and the building. A new temple was registered, which is now known as Toronto Durgabari, and a temporary office was set up at my residence. On July 15 of the same year, the first meeting of the Bangladesh Hindu Community Center in Canada was called. Sudip Dey, Iresh Dev, Narayan Chattopadhyay, and others were present. In the same meeting, out of various names, the name ‘Toronto Durgabari’, suggested by Bishwajit Adhikari, was adopted. Notably, the city’s distinguished thinker, Mahadev Chakraborty, had also suggested the same name over the phone. Subsequently, the organization was registered.
The search for a suitable location for the temple began. Regular meetings were held in different homes. We fondly remember the late Subrata Som, who despite his illness, worked tirelessly to fulfill our promise. This was the final achievement of his life.
Initially, a location was almost finalized. But later, the decision was made to purchase the property at 427-433 Birchmount Road, worth approximately one million dollars, which is now the Toronto Durga Bari. Since the Durga Puja was scheduled for October 2009 and the property transfer was set for November, it was decided to rent the property from the owner and organize the Durga Puja to fulfill the devotees’ aspirations.
Before purchasing the temple, I brought idols, dhak, dhol, harmonium, and banners from Bangladesh. I was certain that something would happen. So, with a week of preparation, the Sharad Utsav (Durga Puja) of Toronto Durga Bari was celebrated grandly in 2009. The idol was obtained from Bharat Seva Ashram and Barrister Paltun Shikdar assisted in this.
Due to city regulations, there were some setbacks in 2010, but in 2011, with renewed efforts, the puja was organized again. A new idol was brought, sponsored by Vijay Roy. Toronto Durga Bari is the first Hindu temple owned by Bangladeshi Hindus in the city of Toronto. A long-cherished dream has finally been realized. It has been proven that commitment and dedication can make anything possible.
Inspired by us, the Bangladesh Cultural Association has purchased its own temple at 16 Dome Avenue. In a quest for survival, the Dharma Shram has also found its own address. There are now three Bengali temples in Toronto, something no one would have ever imagined.
It’s worth mentioning that when we first started celebrating Puja according to the tithi (lunar calendar) in Danforth in 2008, we were overwhelmed by the devotees. Previously, Pujas were weekend-based. Now, no organization celebrates Puja outside of tithi. This allows future generations to connect with their culture. Otherwise, we might have lost our identity among different ethnicities.
We feel proud that we have given an address to a group that was once without one. Initially, the relationship between the temples was somewhat competitive, but now it’s not. Everyone is chanting and praying together. It’s an overwhelming feeling.
The year has come around again, and it’s Durga Puja. In times of great distress, the destroyer of evil, Durga, had appeared. The combined energy of all the deities had created the Mahamaya. Once again, empowered by that strength, the Goddess had destroyed evil and established justice and peace in heaven and earth, thus upholding the inherent meaning of religion.
Every year, the Mother comes. She takes the devotees’ worship and returns to Kailash. When the white flowers bloom in the autumn fields, the traditional Bengalis prepare to welcome Mother Durga to earth. The joy of a child at the arrival of their mother. That’s the joy we carry throughout the year.
