Hindu Temple of Ottawa-Carleton, Hindu Temple in Gloucester, Ottawa, Canada

The Hindu Temple of Ottawa-Carleton stands on Bank Street in Gloucester, south of the airport on land bought in 1984, when it was still a cornfield. The $4 million building, opened in 1989, follows traditional Hindu architectural forms adapted to carry heavy snow. Nine shrines line the interior, among them Ganesha, Krishna with Radha, Shiva, Lakshmi with Narayana, Rama with Sita and Lakshmana with Hanuman, Durga, Hanuman and Nataraja.

The temple began when the community bought a former cornfield on Bank Street in 1984; the first Hindu temple in Eastern Ontario was under construction there by 1985. The $4 million building, funded by donations from Canadian Hindus, was officially opened in 1989. Pandit Madhu Sahasrabudhe, a food science researcher and city priest since 1960, led the effort until his death in 2004.

The temple hosts Navratri, Diwali, Maha Shivratri, Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Holi, Rama Navami, Tulsi Vivah, Karva Chauth and Janmashtami. Its nine shrines honour Ganesha, Kartikeya, Radha-Krishna, Shiva, Lakshmi-Narayana, Rama with Sita and Lakshmana with Hanuman, Durga, Hanuman and Nataraja, and halls and a library serve the community.

The temple stands on Bank Street (Highway 31) in rural Gloucester, south of urban Ottawa and southeast of the airport, so a car is the practical way to arrive. The site was a cornfield before 1984. Dress modestly and remove shoes before entering the shrines.

Pandit Madhu Sahasrabudhe, a food science researcher and priest in Ottawa since 1960, led the temple's construction effort and in 2002 led prayers at a multi-faith thanksgiving event attended by Queen Elizabeth II. He chaired the Capital Region Interfaith Council and sat on the Ottawa Citizen's panel of local religious leaders until his death in 2004.