About Mandir

The intuition and initiative to build a temple for Lord Shiva was originally perceived by His Holiness Swami Chidanand Saraswati (Muni Ji) from Parmarth Niketan Rishikesh, India during one of visit to this part of world in 1990.

1990: 201 Eagle View Road, Minto, it is located on five acres block of land, was purchased with the kind donations from the local Hindu community. This property had a residential dwelling which was converted to conduct congregational prayers, meetings and pooja without an icon. Later in the same year, a Shiva devotee from India donated and paid for airfreighting the Sivalingam to the Mandir.

1991: Shri Shiva Mandir was founded by the community. It is a non-profit organization to serve the religious/spiritual, and educational needs of the community. It is supported by devotees hailing from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Fiji, South Africa and several other countries.

1992: Construction of the temple complex commenced in July following the Ram Katha narrated by Pujya Bhaishri Rameshbhai Oza. The Shivalinga that was placed in the residential dwelling as an Icon for daily Abhishek and pooja, was later brought to the sanctum sanctorum, which is symbolized as Lord Shiva. This emblem of Shiva is universally venerated. Just as 'AUM' is the verbal symbol of God, the Lingam is seen as a symbol of the energy and potential of God, Shiva himself.

1993: The building project was abruptly halted in May due to unforeseen circumstances created by some individuals and the project was placed on 'hold' for three years. During this period, there were number of legal litigations and issues which were eventually resolved.

1995: Shrimad Bhagwat Katha narrated by Pujya Yogendra Bhatt in the premises and attended by good number of devotees.

1996: With the community support, construction re-commenced in the latter part of the year with increased religious and spiritual activities. Shiva Purana Katha by Pujya Sant Giri ji Maharaj of Bharat Mata Mandir, Hardwar

1997: Maha Rudra Yagna by Pujya Sri Iswar Srikumar of Shakti Vilas Mission New Delhi.

1998: Mandir also had blessings from many other saints, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami in this year.

2000: With the inspirational Shrimad Bhagwat Katha orated by Pujya Bhaishri Rameshbhai Oza in the presence of Pujya Sant Swami Chidanand Saraswati, gave the Hindu community a new drive to have the Shivalinga consecrated at the rightful place.

2003: A week before the Mahashivaratri in this year consecration ceremony commenced on 18th February and final dedication on 23rd February 2003 with the blessing of Pujya Kanji Shankaracharya in the presence of Pujya Sant Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Pujya Bhaishri Rameshbhai Oza. Consecration ceremony was performed by a team of local noble priests under the guidance of Chief Priest Acharya Ramachandra Athreiya.

2006: Satguru Bodinath, successor of Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, held many short discourses.

2014: Radha Krishna Moorthy Pran Pratishtha.

2016: In year 2016, symbolic representation of the twelve Jyoti Lingham were consecrated at the Mandir forecourt.

2018: Installed Nav Durga (9 forms of Devi Durga MA) on the outer periphery of the Mandir Shrine. Also, organised recitation of Shrimad Bhagwat Katha in Hindi by Pujya Bhaishri Ramesh Bhai Oza.

Apart from the presiding deity Sivalingam, other deities such as Nandikeswara, Ganapati, Shakti, Murukam, Ram-Sita –Lakshman, Hanuman, Radha-Krishna, Sandeswara, Mahavir, Jalaram, Navgraha, Bairava, also enshrined at the temple.

Ritual services are conducted daily including Sivalingam Abhishek, pooja for all deities both in the morning and evening followed by Arti. In addition, special poojas are held every Friday, Sunday and Monday. Important festival such as Thai Pongal, New Year, Mahashivaratri, Holika Dahan, Ram Navmi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, Vijayadashami, Deepawali, Thiruvenpavi, Skanda Shasti are also held year.

Children are given an important place in Mandir's activities, religious classes and participate in devotional prayer meetings and sing devotional songs along with adults.

Mandir is open daily for daily rituals such as Abhishek, Aarati etc from 8:00am-12:00 noon, and then 4:00pm-8:00pm during weekdays, 8:00am-8:00pm on weekends/public holidays.

It employs qualified and experienced priests to provide all types of religious/spiritual services as per the scriptures, at the Mandir as well as at devotee's homes. From time to time Mandir invites religious/spiritual leaders from overseas for the spiritual benefits of the community.