Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Darshan Timings
9:00 AM – 7:00 PM All days
Sacred shrines And Murti darshan:
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
11:15 AM – 12:00 Noon
4:00 PM – 5:40 PM
Arti Timings:
Shangar: 7:30 AM
Rajbhog: 11:15 AM
Sandhya: 6:30 PM
Shayan: 8:00 PM
Nilkanth Varni Abhishek:
9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Sat/Sun)
Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Visiting Hours:
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM – Murti Darshan and Nilkanth Abhishek Mandapam Open
10:30 AM to 11:15 AM – Murti Darshan Closed for Rajbhog Thal Ritual (Offering of food items to God and the deities)
11:15 AM to 12:00 Noon – Murti Darshan Open for Rajbhog Arti (Ritual prayer).
11:15 AM to 12:00 Noon – Nilkanth Abhishek Mandapam open for Abhishek Ritual (until 12:00 Noon)
12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM – Murti Darshan and Nilkanth Abhishek Mandapam Closed (Monday to Friday)
12:00 Noon to 3:30 PM – Murti Darshan Closed (Sunday)
Sunday Satsang Activities:
Bal Sabha (Boys Grades: Pre K – 8): 3:45 – 5:15 PM
Balika Sabha (Girls Grades: Pre K – 8): 3:45 – 5:15 PM
Kishore Sabha (Boys Grades: 9 – 12 & College): 3:30 – 5:00 PM
Kishori Sabha (Girls Grades: 9 – 12 & College): 3:30 – 5:00 PM
Yuvak Sabha (Post College English): 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Yuvati Sabha (Post College English): 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Satsang Vadil Sabha (Gents & Ladies Gujarati): 3:30 – 5:30 PM
Premvati Mandal (Ladies Gujarati): 2:15 – 3:30 PM
International Student Sabha: 3:45 – 5:15 PM
Gujarati Class 2:30 – 3:30 PM
Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Murtis:
Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj
Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj
Shri Harikrishna Maharaj and Shri Radha-Krishna Dev
Shri Nilkanth Varni
Brahmaswarup Bhagatji Maharaj
Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj
Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj
Brahmaswarup Pramukh Swami Maharaj
Shri Sita-Ram Dev and Shri Hanumanji
Shri Shiv-Parvati and Shri Ganeshji
Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Haveli:
The Haveli, hand cut in Burmese teak, reflects the traditional craftsmanship of Indian woodland courts. The word Haveli refers to a majestic mansion (often royal courts), popular in India in the seventeenth century. The beautiful architecture of Haveli begins with hundreds of figures of musicians, poets and dancers carved in the portico, welcoming all visitors in the traditional Indian way. The lobby has a hand-carved wooden hall that opens onto a beautiful patio with pillars and towering wood panels. Hundreds of dancing peacocks, delicate lotus flowers and royal elephants greet each other. The carpets are designed exclusively to complement the sizes. The building serves as a place of worship for the Hindu community and a place of inspiration for all visitors. Haveli is a complex architectural masterpiece that has never been seen before in Canada.
Video Presentation:
In the Haveli lobby, visitors can see an ongoing multimedia presentation on the creation of the Mandir, glimpses of the opening ceremony and information on the spiritual heritage and traditions of India. As they head to the Mandir, visitors can pause to see inspiring signs and posters.
Nilkanth Abhishek Mandapam:
This sacred part of the Mandir invites all visitors to participate in the ritual “Abhishek”. By participating in the “Abhishek” ritual with devotion and faith, personal prayers and inner desires are fulfilled for oneself or one’s loved ones; good health, happiness, prosperity, peace, spiritual blessing or success in life and experiencing peace.
Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir:
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is the first hand carved Mandir made of wood and marble in Canada, built according to the principles of the ancient Indian Shilpshastras, in an extraordinary tradition dating back several millennia. All the masonry of a Hindu Mandir is itself loaded, without reinforcement of ferrous materials like steel, even in the foundations. Thousands of tons of marble and limestone have been hand carved by skilled craftsmen.
The five adorned sanctuaries, which are the central point of the Mandir, house the Murti (divine deities), filled with beautiful thrones. The Mandir is a meditation space, so all visitors must keep maintain utmost silence.
Visitors can attend the Arti rituals (devotional prayer offered to God) that take place in the Mandir. This devotional ceremony lasts about 15 minutes. There are separate seats in the main Mandir for men and women during the ritual. Visitors wishing to attend the ceremony must respect the seating arrangements.
Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Exhibition:
The Understanding Hindu Dharma Exhibition is Canada’s premier exhibition dedicated to showcasing and promoting the understanding of the history, civilization, diversity and cultural heritage of Canadians whose ancestry originates from India. The Exhibition is uniquely designed to inspire visitors to appreciate how the rich heritage of Indo-Canadians has contributed to the fields of art, architecture, science, democracy, education, culture, pluralism and spiritual values. The Exhibition offers a unique experience of Indian Heritage.
Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Entrance:
Entrance to the Mandir and Haveli is free.
Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Dress Code:
All clothing should cover the shoulders and knees. (Wraps provided) Leave all belongings / backpacks in your vehicle.
Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Shoes:
Please remove all footwear before entering Mandir’s compound. (Shelves of shoes provided inside the complex).
Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Photography & Videography:
The photograph or video for personal use may be taken from the ground outside the Mandir only. We ask visitors to help us preserve the sanctity of the Mandir by not taking any picture or video in the Mandir. Please note that photography or video shooting inside the mandir is strictly forbidden. No photography or professional photo shoot is allowed with photographic equipment.
Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Food & Drink:
Please refrain from eating, drinking, chewing gum or feeding the baby in the Mandir. Outside food and drinks are not allowed inside the complex.
TorontoBAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Mobile Phones:
Cell phones must be switched off before entering the Mandir compound.
Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Smoking:
Smoking, alcohol, drugs and tobacco products are banned throughout the complex.
Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Pets:
Pets are not allowed inside the complex. (Authorized service dogs in most areas, except sacred spaces used for prayer and meditation).
Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Conduct:
Please refrain from touching or leaning against the delicate carvings. Please, observe the silence in the Mandir.
Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Wheelchair Access:
The facilities are wheelchair accessible. Please park the strollers in front of the reception center (Haveli). Bathrooms are available at the visitor center.
Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Security:
For your safety, there are several security measures. Please leave all bags and cameras inside your vehicle. Please do not touch the delicate sculptures in Mandir and Haveli premises. To maintain the spiritual atmosphere, please observe silence inside Mandir and Haveli. Management reserves the right to cancel or modify any site visit or closure, in whole or in part, without notice. Every effort will be made to avoid any inconvenience.
Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Interesting Facts:
a) 4 Savaran (stone crown)
b) 5 Shikhars (pinnacles)
c) 1 Ghummat (large dome)
d) Taper ceilings (saucer shaped dome)
e) 11 Ghummtis (small domes)
f) 84 Chhat (decorative ceilings)
g) 132 Torans (archways)
h) 112 intricately carved pillars
i) 340 Total pillars
j) The heaviest stone weighs 5.6 tonnes and the smallest stone 50 grams.
k) Main central Shikhar (Pinnacle) consists of 335 pieces.
l) Welcome Ceiling in the front roop choki consists of 434 pieces.
m) 2,638 tonnes of Turkish Limestone.
n) 2,260 tonnes of Carrara Marble.
o) 11,487 tonnes of Indian Sandstone.
p) Over 24,000 pieces of hand carved stones. More than 95,000 cubic feet of stone.
q) 305 containers shipped with carved stone modules from India to Toronto.
r) Dimensions of Mandir: Height – 72 feet, Length – 151 feet, Width 108 feet
s) At peak, over 1800 craftsmen were involved in the Mandir work at 26 different sites in India.
t) 400 BAPS Volunteers from Toronto gave their services for the Mandir project on site
u) Time available for the stone work in Toronto:
2005 – 6 months
2006 – 8 months
2007 – 4 months
Total – 18 months
Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Address:
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
61 Claireville Drive,
Toronto, ON M9W 5Z7 Canada
Tel: (416) 798-2277
Fax: (416) 798-4498
E-mail: info.toronto@ca.baps.org
From West (Detroit)
Hwy 401 East
Hwy 427 North
Exit on Finch Ave
Turn Right on Finch Ave.
Left on Humberline Dr.
Left on Claireville Dr.
From East (Ottawa)
HWY 401 West
HWY 409 towards Airport
HWY 427 North
Exit on Finch Ave
Turn Right on Finch Ave.
Left on Humberline Dr.
Left on Claireville Dr.
From South (Niagara Falls)
HWY QEW
HWY 401 East/HWY 427 N
HWY 427 N
Exit on Finch Ave
Turn Right on Finch Ave.
Left on Humberline Dr.
Left on Claireville Dr.
From North (Barrie)
HWY 400 South
HWY 401 West
HWY 409 towards Airport
HWY 427 North
Exit on Finch Ave
Turn Right on Finch Ave.
Left on Humberline Dr.
Left on Claireville Dr.
Bus Route:
From Finch Subway Station:
Take Bus 36B from Finch Underground Station. Get off at Viewcrest Circle (after Humber College). Walk to Finch Avenue. (traffic lights) and left on Claireville Drive (through the fire station). You will see the Mandir entry on the left side. About 10 minutes walk.
From the new Finch Subway Station
Take bus 36A Finch West bus towards Humberwood. Then either transfer to the 96B Wilson West bus towards Humberline & Albion or walk 1.3 km to61 Claireville Dr.
From Wilson Subway Station:
Take bus 96B from Wilson Subway Station. The bus will stop in front of the Mandir gates on Claireville Drive.
