In 1999, when I came to Canada from Guyana, my parents wanted my brother and I to become associated with our culture and religion, as well as become skilled in the various musical instruments. For a while we drifted throughout quite a few temples, never finding the right ambience that suited our requirements. At first, our family decided to attend Satsang at quite a few reputable temples in Toronto and Brampton, but the overflashy and strict presentation of these temple never quite made us comfortable. We went from temple to temple in search for a place to devote ourself to God while enriching our knowledge of music and the scriptures. We attended the Shiva Milan Mandir purely by chance, and have been going every week without fail for the past six years. The Shiva Milan Mandir has a quality completely unique; an atmosphere of complete acceptance and serenity. The combination of spritually enriching satsang and music classes with a jovial aura of friendship and acceptance makes this temple the perfect place for all families. Personally, I have made lifelong frienships here; friendships in other environments drift apart over time, but here they last forever because everyone is accepted as family. I love Shiva Milan Mandir and you will too. - Sangeeta Shivanand - Age 18 So much can be said about the Shiva Milan Mandir. It is indeed a spectacular place to be! The surroundings itself brings peace of mind and happiness to ones heart. The best thing about Shiva Milan Mandir are the Youths! The co-operation and team work between everyone is simply touching. The ideas of these bright individuals combined together creating one brilliant idea for others to enjoy! The Shiva Milan Mandir has given me the opportunity to become a better and more productive leader. Being a better individual will not only benefit us but also the community as a whole because we have to be the change which we want to see in the world. Helping in planning of special events for the Mandir are only some of the many things I look forward to during year. I have built many strong bonds with all the other youths and treasure their friendship! The fellow members have become more then just friends but feel more like family to me. Attending Mandir every week is simply a must as it has become a second home. I have learnt so much growing up in such an atmosphere and have better developed myself in becoming a better individual in trying to follow with the teachings of our scriptures and the Sangha Bani. My dedication to the Shiva Milan Mandir will always remain loyal. - Vidya Chatterpaul - Age 22 I've been to many temples, but I always felt distant and unaware of what happened there. Ever since I started comming to the Shiva Milan Mandir, I've become more involved in my religion. Its fun learning how to sing, play instruments, and read our religious stories. I've also made a lot of great friends!! - Shanata Sukhu - Age 17 The Shiva Milan Mandir is a great place to be! Everyone there is so friendly and devoted. Not for a minute do you feel out of place. I really admire the way the youths get so involved in all the activities. The collaboration with the youths and relationship they share is moving. When I am there I feel really encouraged to participate and learn more things about our religion. I enjoy reading from the Ramayan and learning tabla, it is a way of benefiting myself. The many great events at the Shiva Milan Mandir are fun to participate especially the Chowtal. Coming to the Shiva Milan Mandir and being a part of such an environment has benefited me in many ways. - Neal Sukhraj - Age 22 I enjoy going to Shiva Milan Mandir because it helps me spiritually and physically work off the thoughts that come into my mind. It is the only place I can seriously concentrate on Guru Maharaj without being attracted by other things. Going to Mandir makes me feel good inside after a rough week in school and at home. Also, the people at the mandir are my friends and family. Those are the reasons why I enjoy going to Shiva Milan Mandir. Jai Guru Maharaj!- Ganesh Panday - Age 18 I’ve been attending the Shiva Milan Mandir since forever. Everyone is so nice and they always make you feel comfortable. In this mandir I learn about teamwork, respect, how to follow the right path and most importantly about my religion. All of the fun things that are planned each year are so exciting. For example the Holi Show, the play days, the Bhajan Nights and so on. It makes all the kids so excited to attend each week. Coming each week helps me to grow and become confident because I am able to perform what I learn and overcome my stage fright. It is fun because we get to record our chowtal and we get to be on T.V and go to singing competitions. In our harmonium class our teacher who is Vidya, plans so many fun things to do. She keeps me motivated to learn. She provides us with report cards, certificates and gives us prizes for a job well done. In general Shiva Milan Mandir is like a second home filled with family. - Ashnie Badal - Age 13 I like coming to Mandir because I learn about my heritage. Knowing where you come from helps you with your future. Another reason why I like comming to Mandir is because I get to see my friends. Over the years I've made a strong bond with many people at Mandir whom help me out with daily struggles and life as you know it. - Victoria Singh - Age 16 I enjoy going to Shiva Milan Mandir because it fuels my faith in God and strengthens my soul as well as my intellect. Nevertheless, I go to Shiva Milan Mandir to spend time with God and with the people I love. - Ghansham Panday - Age 18 I love coming to the Shiva Milan Mandir because I have learned more about my religion and I have made a lot of friends. I started coming to the mandir when I was two years old and now I am nine. In the beginning, I was really shy and did not want to participate in the kirtan singing. Now I willingly say to my teacher, "I want to sing today!" One of my best memories, is when we have our Winter Event. That special night is full with fun and surprises. We even have our own Santa Clause! Throughout the night, you can feel the strong love between everyone. When you look at the group pictures it is obvious that WE ARE ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY!!! - Samantha Ramnarine - Age 11 What I like about the Shiva Milan Mandir! I like the Shiva Milan Mandir opening prayer and I like to sit down and do Havan. I to read the Ramayan and practice new songs. I like to hear people sing songs and I like to do artie. I like all the fun events at the Shiva Milan Mandir. - Natasha Ramawad - Age 9 <br><br>
I like Shiva Milan Mandir because we get to learn a lot about our culture and our background. <br> And most of all, I like to sit and do Havan and pray to god<br>and listen to the new songs and prayers.<br> And you could learn how to play Harmonium and Tabla.<br> My favourite part is when you get to read the Ramayan and learn the words.<br> And mostly at this Temple, we could meet lots of different kids and people.<br> - Joshua Ramawad - Age 9<br>
| Having being a member of Shiva Milan Mandir for just over a year now, I consider myself very fortunate to be in such an atmosphere because it's not just a temple where you go to worship but its a place of fun, love and togetherness. Its a place where all the members get along just fine. Also the harmonium class is awesome. I mean our teacher is really great. She has a tremendous amount of talent that she shares with her students. There's not doubt about it, that Shiva Milan Mandir is indeed just really an awesome place to be. - Poonam Chiranji - Age 16 I enjoy going to Shiva Milan Mandir because I learn something new every day. It helps me keep in touch with my culture as well as helps me know more about my religion. Overall, I enjoying going to Shiva Milan Mandir to pray and to learn harmonium. - Aviskar Panday - Age 14 Every weekend I look foward to comming to SMM, its the best temple ever! And learning the ramyana & how to sing is so much fun! I always look forward to the new events which we plan because it's a lot of fun. I've grown my whole life in this Temple and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I LOVE IT =) - Nadya Manohar - Age 18 Ever since I had been going to The Shiva Milan Mandir, there has never been a boring day. I enjoy learning how to play our religious instruments, learning the significance of our Hindu holidays and reading the Ramayana. All of the members of our Mandir are like one big family. - Ken Gobin - Age 17 SMM is a fun place to be. Especially when you hang out afterwards, even music class is fun! - Devon Singh - Age 16 I enjoy going to Shiva Milan Mandir because it teaches me important things about life. The Shiva Milan Mandir also brings me closer to god. Going to Shiva Milan Mandir is important because there I learn good discipline and how to cooperate with other kids. That is why I enjoy going to Shiva Milan Mandir. - Karishma Panday - Age 13 I love coming to temple because i have good teachers who teach me how to play the tabla, and I understand them very well. The pandit teaches me how to read Ramayan. The children of the Shiva Milan Mandir do everything. - Sachin Shivanand - Age 13 Church is fun because we read the Ramayan and explain what it means and we express our feelings about the gods. Church is really fun when after the service we get lessons on how to sing songs and to play the harmunium. Church can be fun but when coming down to practising for bhajan night and holi shows it is sometimes hard. Well church is very religous and it is fun at the same time but when we sing songs the service is really really fun. - Devi Dhaneshwar - Age 13 Being a part of the Shiva Milan Mandir is great. It is not only a place of learning but also a place where you get to spend time with the people who are really great friends. - Ram Chatterpaul - Age 18 I like going to the Shiva Milan Mandir because it’s fun. Not only you get to learn about your culture and your religion, but you make friends as you go. You can also do your school work at the temple, if you have any problems or anything that troubles you, you can always talk to someone at the Mandir, they will be glad to help you. Basically what I’m trying to say is that the Shiva Milan Mandir is like another family which you can count on. That is why, I like going to the Shiva Milan Mandir, it’s never a dull moment. =) - Joel Rambarrat - Age 19 There is no competition between the youths, as the goal is to help others, and to become better tabla players. We have two classes, a beginners class, and an advanced class. The environment is very peaceful, constructive and fun to be in. Tabla class at the Shiva Milan Mandir consists of highly trained tabla players who teach the class, and eager, willing students who love to learn the music of their culture. - Calvin Singh - Age 18 I enjoy going to Shiva Milan Mandir because I get to pray to god and learn how to play the harmonium. It helps me learn about the things I don't know about my culture and religion. I also enjoy going to Shiva Milan Mandir because I get to go with my family. - Ugesh Panday - Age 11 I like going to the Shiva Milan Mandir, because I learn more about my religion and it's festivals. I especially like singing and playing the instruments. Going to the Mandir makes me a better person and helps me choose the right path for a future. I also make lots of friends, and everybody is nice to each other. The lessons may be hard, but going to the temple is very fun! - Haresh Seenarine - Age 13 The Reasons why I love going to Mandir is because I get to go there and learn new things about religion. I also get to hang out with friends and family after we do classes. We plan many events & after temple we play sports like football. - Derick Singh - Age 19 I like coming to the Shiva Milan Mandir because it is fun to sing and play the drum. I also like to play the dantal and jal. I also like coming to temple because there is lots of people to get along with and lots of people to make friends with. There are lots of things to do at the Shiva Milan Mandir. I have lots of fun at the events we have. That is why I like coming to the Shiva Milan Mandir. - Brandon Manohar - Age 12 I like to go to The Shiva Milan Mandir because I have a lot of friends there. After service we also play football and I really enjoy that. I also get to learn a lot about my religion and culture. - Jason Gobin - Age 14
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