The Organization
Shree Mahalakshmi Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi. Under the auspices of Shree Vidya Pitha Hindu Temple, it is a centre for worship and learning.
Established in the year 1990, by Pandit Prameya Chaitanya, a disciple of Pujya Swami Dayanada Saraswati and Pujya Gurudev Chinmayanada, the temple offers a number of services to the community. In addition to the regular activities of worship, chanting, meditation, and ritualistic celebration of all festivals in the Hindu calendar, the organization serves to propagate Indian arts, music, and literature.
A profound insight into the scriptures, study of various classical Indian disciplines, training in traditional chanting and yoga, are some of the services offered at the temple. In addition, the temple also offers counseling for families and students.
Deities
Shree Lakshmi Ganapati
Lord Lakshmi Vinayaka not only removes obstacles, but blesses devotees with prosperity and wealth. The murthi of Lord Lakshmi Vinayaka was installed in 1993. Every month on Shukla Chaturthi day, devotees initiated to Lakshmi Vinayaka mantra participate in japa and chanting of Ganesh stotras.
Shree Lakshmi Aanjaneya
The murthi of Lord Lakshmi Anjaneya was installed on August 6, 2000. It is believed that upasana of Lord Hanuman is very effective. Lord Hanuman is easily pleased by sincere devotion.
Stotra
Buddhir balam yasho dhairyam nirbhayatwamarogata ||
Ajadyam vakpatutwam ca Hanumad smaranath bhavet ||
Meaning
One who worships Hanuman is blessed with intelligence, strength, fame, courage, fearlessness, goodhealth, willpower, humility, victory and wisdom.
Recitation of Sankata Mochan Hanuman ashtaka removes all pain, suffering and sorrows. Every year during the last week of July, a one week Hanuman yagna is performed at the temple which is attended by a large number of devotees. Also, every month on the last Saturday devotees get together at the temple to offer japa and join in the chanting of Hanuman stotras.
Shree Mahalakshmi
The presiding deity of the temple is Shree Mahalakshmi Devi. Since the inception of the temple, the deity has been invoked in a kalasha to which prayers are offered in a traditional manner. The marble murthi of Shree Mahalakshmi Devi has been sculptured in Jaipur, India and will be installed on completion of the renovation.
THE PRIEST
Pandit Prameya Chaitanya is the Acharya–in–charge of Shree Mahalakshmi Temple in Vancouver. A descendent of the royal family of Jhansi Ki Rani, he had his training in Theology and in the study of Yoga and Herbal medicine at a very young age, in the world renowned institute – Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy, popularly known as Sivananda Ashram at the foot of the Himalayas in Rishikesh, India. He started his training in religious and philosophical study under the tutelage of Swami Naraharitirtha, a great saint of Kailash ashram in Rishikesh. Pandit Prameya Chaitanya, Acharya-in–charge of Shree Mahalakshmi Temple, Vancouver. Click to enlarge the Photo. He also obtained training in Astrology, Astronomy and other sciences with Swami Narayanananda Saraswati, who was a disciple of Narasimha Bharati of Sringeri Mutt. He studied the Upanishads in detail with Swami Bramhananda Saraswati of Rama Krishna mission in Uttarakashi. He later undertook an in-depth study of the Hindu Scriptures at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Bombay, under the two great masters H.H. Swami Chinmayananda and H.H. Swami Dayananda Saraswati.
He has been in Canada for the last twenty eight years, serving the community by offering guidance, help and counseling for families and students, and is also actively involved in marriage counseling. In 1990 he established the Mahalakshmi Temple which is not only a place of worship, but a center of learning as well, where one can learn the art of ‘The Science of Life’, and study Indian languages and art forms such as classical music and dancing.
Prameyaji conducts meditation sessions on Fridays and Mondays at the temple, and addresses a large congregation every Sunday conveying the message contained in our sacred scriptures , in a very simple yet profound manner. He engages youth and elders alike in serious discussions on the Bhagawad Geeta .He addresses school students in Vancouver, introducing them to the concepts of the Hindu religion and philosophy.He also guides University students with their religious studies projects. He delivers lecture series on Hinduism to students at Langara College and Trinity Western college.
He is actively involved in Interfaith activities and is the President of the Clergy for Compassion and Harmony , which is an Association of Priests of various Faith groups. He is also a board member of the Inter Spiritual Center, World View Collaborative and many other Interfaith organizations.
In 1992 he was recognized for his outstanding community service, with a commemorative award from the Prime Minister John Turner. He has also served on the Advisory committee for Premier Glen Clark.
