Two Vedic Victors

Sunday, November 8th, 2026

Chemainus, British Columbia

My life entails driving for a stretch almost every day as much as walking does. From the municipality of Saanichton where my brother Paul resides, Nitai Priya and Nancy in the front seat drove me to the town of Chemainus. Now today is Diwali and it is a major celebratory day in India and wherever in the world there is a diaspora of the culture of Rama. Rama is becoming known to soon be a household word since the blockbuster movie "The Ramayana" was shown in movie theatres the world over since two or three days ago. Who wouldn't want to see adventure on an epical scale involving a war with a monkey alliance?

Before heading north west to Chemainus my brother and I stopped by the Hindu Parishad Centre to see Pandit friend Venkat who priested temples in Regina and Winnipeg prior to coming to B.C. Naturally the community here is also honouring hero Rama, a much revered avatar.

Now in Chemainus there is a Jagannath temple and the celebration here is to glorify Krishna's lifting Govardhan Hill. Diwali and this event go back to back on the calendar. Rama and Krishna are sung about next to each other which is what you accomplish by chanting the maha mantra, "Hare Krishna, Hare Rama."

Though Diwali, the festival of lights, boosting the goodness over evil concept, is often more of a home/family event, a number of people from the area came to learn and love something more about the two Vedic victors. I admire the work of the couple running the temple here; Gadadhar for his wood craft abilities and Manoharini for her art craft. She produces extraordinary displays of monkeys.

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