Hamilton – Dhwani News Service
In a landmark development blending faith, community, and cultural pride, the McMaster Hindu Students Association (HSA), with support from McMaster University, is spearheading the creation of a dedicated Hindu temple space within the university’s multifaith room. This initiative — envisioned under the banner of Satya Sanatan Dharma Mandir at McMaster — is not only about offering a sacred place for prayer, but also about affirming the cultural and spiritual needs of Hindu students. Though statistics are unofficial, the increase in Hindu-identifying students from various countries of the world has been evidently rising at McMaster in recent years, further highlighting the significance of this effort.
For the Hindu-Canadian communities, this milestone stands as a source of pride. For the students, it is the fulfillment of a collective dream. And for the broader diaspora, it reflects how the next generation of leaders is safeguarding cultural heritage while embracing Canada’s spirit of diversity.
Student Leadership at the Core
The driving force behind this achievement is the Hindu Students Association (HSA) at McMaster, led by two passionate leaders: Ribhav Gupta (Co-President) and Manan Shah (Co-President). Alongside their executive team, these students worked tirelessly to establish a temple space that will allow Hindu students to practice daily rituals, celebrate festivals, and find a sense of belonging on campus.
Harsh Shukla, who serves as Vice President of Event Planning & Management, also lent his support to the mandir initiative and this article, further reflecting the collective spirit behind the project.
“This is not just about prayer,” the student leaders shared with Dhwani. “It is about giving our community a home away from home. A place where our Hindu-Canadian peers can connect spiritually, culturally, and emotionally.”
McMaster’s Multifaith Program: Equal Space for All
McMaster University operates its Multifaith Program through the Spiritual Care & Learning Centre (SCLC) and the McMaster Students Union (MSU). The multifaith room, guided under the leadership of Andrew Crowell (Director – Spiritual Care & Learning Centre) and his team, offers every faith group the opportunity to establish a presence.
The rules are simple and inclusive: a neutral red cloth covers the worship space when not in use, noise is restricted to maintain respect, and larger gatherings require MSU approval. Importantly, no discrimination or partiality is tolerated. Every faith, every tradition, and every student has an equal platform.
This ethos resonates deeply with the Sanatan Dharma principles of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family) and “Sarva Dharma Sambhava” (equal respect for all religions).
The Team Behind the Temple Initiative
Behind every milestone lies a team of dedicated individuals. The Hindu Students Association (HSA) at McMaster has become a shining example of how student leadership can transform vision into reality.
The initiative is spearheaded by Co-Presidents: Manan Shah and Ribhav Gupta, with the support and guidance of Andrew Crowell (Director – Spiritual Care & Learning Centre) and Trish Vardon (Student Life Director). Supporting them is an impressive executive team whose commitment has been nothing short of inspiring:
- Harsh Shukla – Vice President of Event Planning & Management
- Thuvarakah Sathananthan – Vice President of Marketing & Promotion
- Aneri Mayavanshi – Vice President of Marketing & Promotion
- Vatsala Adavikolanu – Vice President of Event Planning & Management
- Sana Gupta – Vice President of Event Planning & Management
- Dutt Gajjar – Vice President of Administration & Finance
- Om Patel – Vice President of Administration & Finance
- Shree Patel – Vice President of Graphic Design
- Sia Dasani – Vice President of Graphic Design
- Dhara Desai – Vice President of Graphic Design
- Miti Vyas – Vice President of Arts & Dance
- Maitri Patel – Vice President of Arts & Dance
- Navya Kumar – Vice President of Arts & Dance
- Tanushree Chopra – Vice President of Sponsorship & Outreach
- Tvara Parikh – Vice President of Sponsorship & Outreach
- Dev Pandya – Vice President of Cultural Affairs
- Sagar Paul – Vice President of Cultural Affairs
- Ishva Shah – Photographer
- Pankti Shah – Upper Year Representative
- Eesha Joshi – Upper Year Representative
- Ayan Mitra – Senior Advisor
Founded in August 2013, the association has steadily grown into one of the most active cultural and faith-based student organizations at McMaster. Their efforts have been further supported by the Gayatri Pariwar Western Ontario (GPWO), with invaluable guidance from Rakesh Sharma (Founder Trustee of GPWO) and Manhar Sutaria (Founder Trustee of GPWO) and their dedicated volunteers.
This collective strength of young leaders demonstrates that preserving faith and culture is not only possible in Canada but can thrive under the stewardship of students who balance academics, community, and spirituality with equal dedication.
Preserving Legacy Beyond Generations
A common question is: How will this temple continue when students graduate and move on?
The HSA has already addressed this. Policies are in place to ensure that each new executive team inherits the responsibility of maintaining the temple, keeping rituals, daily aarti, and cultural activities alive for years to come.
Financially, the temple will be supported through student-led fundraising, cultural events, and sponsorships, particularly during festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Navratri. This model not only sustains the temple but also creates awareness about Hindu heritage across campus.
A Home Away from Home
For Hindu students, the temple will be more than a sacred space. It will be a cultural anchor — a place where traditions are celebrated, friendships are built, and values are nurtured. Festivals like Diwali and Navratri will bring color to the campus, fostering both community spirit and intercultural understanding.
This initiative is not about bricks or rituals alone. It is a message of unity, inclusivity, and leadership. McMaster University, already a beacon of knowledge, is now also becoming a sanctuary of faith and belonging — thanks to the vision and perseverance of its students.
Saluting the Next Generation
This collective effort by Hindu students from various countries is more than commendable. It sets an example not just for McMaster, but for universities across Canada.
At Dhwani, we salute the remarkable work of these students. Their efforts remind us that the next generation of Hindu students are not only excelling in academics but also preserving cultural identity and spiritual values in a multicultural Canada.
They have shown that leadership is not just about ambition but also about service — to faith, to culture, and to community.
This temple at McMaster is more than a space. It is a legacy — one that will continue to inspire generations of students and strengthen the bridge between cultures, faiths, and nations.
If you would like to support and sponsor McMaster HSA further, you can contact them at machsa@mcmaster.ca or on Instagram @mcmasterhsa.
MacHSA Inaugurates Satya Sanatan Dharma Mandir: A Sacred Space for Faith and Community
With heartfelt devotion and boundless enthusiasm, the McMaster Hindu Students Association (MacHSA) inaugurated the Satya Sanatan Dharma Mandir on Thursday, September 4, at 7:30 PM in the MUSC Atrium. Located in MUSC 212, the mandir is a serene and sacred space on campus dedicated to bhakti, dharma, and community, offering Hindu students and the broader McMaster community a place to gather, pray, and celebrate together. This milestone marks a historic moment, reflecting the vision, dedication, and leadership of students committed to preserving cultural and spiritual traditions on campus.
The inauguration was graced by a 60-minute Gayatri Deep Yagya, a traditional yet interactive form of puja designed to encourage active participation and deepen connection with the divine. The ceremony included Dev Aavaahanam (calling upon the deities) and Dev Sthapana (establishment of deities), symbolically inviting and installing each deity within the temple. To make the rituals accessible to all, the meanings and purposes of the mantras were displayed on screen, and the entire ceremony was conducted in English alongside the Sanskrit chants, ensuring every participant could follow and engage meaningfully.
The Yagya was led by Rakesh Sharma, Founder Trustee of Gayatri Pariwar Western Ontario (GPWO), with support from Manhar Sutaria (Founder Trustee) and a dedicated team of GPWO volunteers. Their guidance and expertise ensured that the inauguration was not only a spiritually enriching experience but also an educational and community-centered event for all attendees.
