History of Toronto Kalibari: Preserving Hindu Values Through Generations

Back in 1984, a group of dedicated individuals within our community recognized the importance of preserving and perpetuating Hindu social, moral, and religious values for future generations. To achieve this noble goal, they initiated prayer meetings in private homes in October 1984. Initially, these gatherings took place once a month in the recreation rooms of members, where they came together for prayer and meaningful discussions. As the group continued to grow, it soon became evident that larger spaces were needed to accommodate the congregation. By March 1985, around 50 to 60 people were attending these monthly meetings.

In order to further their mission, a charitable organization named “TORONTO KALIBARI” was registered in Ottawa on June 19, 1985, and received charitable status from Revenue Canada in December 1985.

Toronto Kalibari embarked on a quest to identify a permanent place of worship and purchased a 10-acre property, complete with a three-bedroom house, in June 1986 for $205,000. This property was located at 11762 McVean Drive, Brampton. With some modifications and renovations, the house was transformed into a Mandir (temple), housing an exquisite oil painting of the Divine Mother Kali. Regular pujas and prayers were conducted on Sundays, Full Moon, and New Moon evenings.

The overwhelming support from the community was heartening, and within four years, by October 1990, the outstanding mortgage on the property had been entirely paid off, rendering it debt-free. However, later it became clear that rezoning the property for constructing a temple was an impossible challenge,  additionally, the lack of public transport to the Brampton location made it inconvenient for the general public. And the search for a more suitable location commenced.

In August 1995, Toronto Kalibari purchased a 2.5-acre plot of serviced vacant land at 6815 Professional Court in the City of Mississauga for the construction of a new temple. The site was consecrated in September 1995, and regular prayers began at this location. Construction of the temple building commenced in September 1997, and on June 30, 1998, Kalibari relocated from the Brampton house to its present location.

A magnificent blue granite and white marble Murti of Maa Kali was specially sculpted in India and then transported to Toronto in 1993. It was consecrated on October 19, 1998, during the Diwali Night, at the new Mandir. Since that momentous occasion, pujas, prayers, and various activities have been conducted at the present location.

In 1999, a Shiva Lingam and a marble statue of Hara-Parvati were brought from India and consecrated on the night of Shivaratri, with the following names:

  • Divine Mother: Maa Kali Pataleshwari
  • Bhairav: Anantha Nath

In Toronto, the Divine Mother Kali is revered in Her Vaishnavi (Swattic) manifestation, accompanied by Lord Shiva as Pataleswar Ananthanath. She is the Adya Shakti, the Primordial Energy of Creation, Sustenance, and Destruction, transcending the boundaries of space and time. She is depicted as Dakshina Kali, a powerful and revered deity in the Hindu tradition.