By Cecil Ramnauth
On Sunday September 8th, 2019, the Hindu Federation, an umbrella organization of Hindu Temples in the Greater Toronto Area, celebrated Ganesh Visharjan at the Alex Robertson Park in the City of Pickering. There was an estimated 500-plus devotees in attendance, including diaspora members from India, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Fiji, Kenyan Mauritius, and the UK. The number of young people present was particularly impressive.
In addition to the chanting of bhajans and the offering of prayers, murthis of Lord Ganesh were immersed in Lake Ontario. The tassa drumming, which accompanied the procession to the lake, lent a festive atmosphere to the occasion.
Ganesh Visarjan is an annual celebration that culminates with the immersion of the diety of Lord Ganesh – the remover of all obstacles – into a clean body of water.
The Hindu Federation plans to celebrate Ganesh Visarjan in this way on an annual basis.
The City of Pickering was very accommodating in allowing the Hindu Federation to celebrate the event in the way that it did.

The Pranav Ashram held its Annual Golf Tournament on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at the Glen Eagle Golf Course in Bolton. The Ashram received overwhelming support from both sponsors and golfers on a day with near perfect weather.
Pranav's volunteers, including its spiritual leader Swami Bhajanananda, made sure that all were well taken care of with refreshments and a scrumptious lunch. The staff at Glen Eagle were friendly, helpful, courteous and professional.
Several attractive raffle prizes were won, including a bicycle, a large flat screen TV and dozens of other items.
The Pranav Golf Committee headed by President Sat Purushuttam extends thanks to the sponsors, golfers and volunteers who gave unstinted supported to the event and looks forward to their continued participation in the organization's golf tournament next year.
Funds from this event will go towards the erection of the Ashram's 14-foot Shiva Murti.