“We worship all the gods here”: Hindu temple opens in downtown Peterborough

On July 22, 2024, a new worship space opened its doors in downtown Peterborough. 

Located in a small George Street storefront between Brock and Simcoe, a simple orange sign out front welcomes you to the Bhojan Hindu Temple Society.

Inside, the space is hung with orange and yellow marigold garlands, along with a bell in the centre of the room. A flame is lit on the puja, or altar, and thin tendrils of incense smoke waft up toward the ceiling. A lineup of Hindu deity sculptures presides over the space, and offerings of food like bagged rice, bananas, and sweets are placed at their feet.

Soft carpeting covers the temple’s floor, and cushions are set out for people to rest on while they pray or meditate. Shoes are kept outside on the doorstep or on a shoe rack to maintain the cleanliness and purity of the space.

On a recent afternoon, a worshipper named Abusleck was making use of the space.

“We worship all the gods here,” said Abusleck, who declined to provide his last name. 

Abusleck said he tries to make his way to the temple every day during his lunch break. “In India there are many temples so it was easy to go and pray every day,” he said. “But this is the only place like this here so I come whenever I can.”

Abusleck described his spiritual practice as unique and personal, just as many others who use the temple have their own way to pray. For Abusleck, worship involves sitting cross-legged on the carpet and quietly repeating mantras he has copied into a small notebook, then resting in silent meditation. When he has finished this, he bows to several of the deity figures in turn and rings the bell to mark the end of his prayer time.

The Bhojan Hindu Temple Society is owned and operated by the Khera family, who also own the Bhojan restaurant and grocery store across the street.

Arun Khera said he and his family opened the temple following requests by South Asian international students who frequent the grocery store and restaurant.

Khera remembered one student in particular who approached him crying one day. The young man shared that since arriving in Peterborough eight months earlier, he prayed for a place of worship to open up here so that he wouldn’t need to get rides to other cities in order to practice his faith.

Khera said he was approached by some other downtown business owners who had concerns at first. “People wondered what we do at the temple and if everyone would be welcome. I said, whatever you do, if you need to relax or calm your mind, you need a spiritual place to do that.”

“In my understanding, there is no difference between Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, or any other religion,” he reflected. “They are just different paths to the same place. So I’m proud to tell them anyone who wants a spiritual place is welcome here.”

Khera added that the space is often used by Sikh community members as well as people of the Hindu faith.

On her way to class at Trent University, a Sikh student named Gurleen shared that she feels comforted by the presence of the Hindu temple here in Peterborough. “It’s very accessible being right downtown, and I think it’s really important for people to have somewhere to go that’s safe and relaxing,” she said. “Peterborough isn’t the most diverse city so it’s encouraging to see a Hindu temple here.”

Another Trent international student, Jaaanu, commented that she checked out the temple for the first time recently. “It’s really the ideal place for meditation. It’s so peaceful and has a beautiful calming atmosphere,” she said. “It’s also great for meeting with our own people who we can feel spiritually connected to. I’m so glad I know I can go there whenever I want.”

Khera said it was “quite expensive” to secure the location and renovate it to meet city standards. All told, the family spent more than $200,000 for work such as installing a new sprinkler system and servicing the heater, he said.

“There is no money coming in here and that’s okay. We don’t ask for any donations. This is just for the community and it is all being managed through my family,” he said. One way he offsets the costs of operating the temple is by offering home temple supplies for sale in the back half of the building for those who want to create a private space for worship in their own living room.

Currents visited the Bhojan Hindu Temple Society in the days leading up to Diwali, which fell on October 31 this year. Speaking in anticipation of the holiday, Khera’s son, Ani Khera, said his family was preparing to host a community dinner for those who are separated from their loved ones for the festival of lights. The Kheras were expecting upwards of 200 guests at the Bhojan restaurant for a free feast on the evening of November 2, Ani said.

Ani Khera said he feels lucky to have his parents with him in Canada so they can celebrate Diwali together. “A lot of students don’t have that,” he pointed out.

“Diwali for me is about offering lots of sweets and sharing love and light with each other,” Ani Khera continued. “Of course, lots of students are now my family, so I will be mostly sharing the day with them and supporting them by bringing their feeling of home over here.”