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Vedic Cultural Centre, Markham, Ontario, Canada

The Vedic Cultural Centre(VCC)

#4345 * 14th Avenue. Markham, Ontario. L3R 0J2. Canada
(905) 475-5778 or info@vedicculturalcentre.com

Namaste ! Om Shanti Aum !
Aap Kaa Swagat Hai !
You are most welcome !
The Official web site of Vedic Cultural Centre (VCC): Toronto, Markham Arya Samaj Canada.
We are dedicated to the Vedic ( Hindu) Thought :

KRINVANTO VISHWAM ARYAM – MAKE THE UNIVERSE NOBLE

Maharishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati

Swami Dayanand (1824-1883) was the founder of the Hindu reform organization Arya Samaj, which he established on April 7th 1875, in Bombay India. He also created the 10 principles of Arya Samaj. Throughout his life, Swami Dayanand preached against many Hindu traditions which he felt were dogmatic and oppressive. These included traditions such as idol worship, caste by birth, and the exclusion of females from the study of the Vedas. One of his main messages was for Hindus to go back to the roots of their religion, which are the Vedas. By doing this, he felt that Hindus would be able to improve the depressive religious, social, political, and economic conditions prevailing in India in his times.

Swami Dayanand was born on February 12th, 1824 in a town called Tankara in the state of Gujurat, India.

One of Swami Dayanand's major arguments for going back to the Vedas was that, in his own words " the four Vedas, the repositories of knowledge & religious truth, are the Word of God. They are absolutely free of error, & the Supreme & independent authority ". The four Vedas are; Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, & Atharva Veda. To spread awareness of his movement and to revitalize Vedic knowledge, Swami Dayanand published many religious books. These include; Satyartha Prakash ( The light of Truth ), the Rig-Vedaadi, Bhasyya- Bhoomika, and Sanskar Vidhi.

Swami Dayanand preached many messages to Hindus during his lifetime. For instance, he preached that Hindus should worship just one, formless, God. He fought against polytheism by telling people the true meaning of the names of God, & established how all of them pointed at one & the same God- Paramathama, the Supreme Self. Further, Swami was " a voice against superstition, against unrighteousness, which reigned supreme in the garb of true religion, and  against a foreign rule ".

Throughout his known adult life, Swami's main message was " Back to the Vedas ". By this, Swami Dayanand meant that Hindus should stop practising beliefs such as idol worship, caste, polytheism, pantheism, untouchability, child marriages,forced widowhood, and many other practices which he felt were wrong. He challenged many of the Hindu orthodoxy if they could justify their belief in the aforementioned practices. This induced the anger and wrath of many orthodox Hindus, which subsequently led to 14 attempts at poisoning Dayanand. Miraculously, he was able to use his Yogic abilities to cure himself from the first 13 attempts. However, the 14th time proved fatal. Swami Dayanand died, and left the world with his legacy, Arya Samaj.

The 10 Principles of the Arya Samaj

Principle One: God is the original source of all that is true knowledge and all that is known by physical sciences.

Principle Two: God is existent, Conscious, All Beautitude, Formless, Almighty, Just, Merciful, Unbegotten, Infinite, Unchangeable, Beginningless, Incomparable, the support of All, the Lord or all, All-pervading, Omniscient and Controller of All from within, Evermature, Imperishable, Fearless, Eternal, Pure and Creator of the universe. IT alone must be worshipped.

Principle Three: The Vedas are the books of all TRUE knowledge. It is the paramount duty of all Aryas to read them, to teach them to others, to listen to them and to recite them to others.

Principle Four: All persons should always be ready to accept the truth and renounce the untruth.

Principle Five: All acts ought to be performed in conformity with dharma (Righteousness and Duty) i.e. after due consideration of the truth and the untruth.

Principle Six: The primary object of the Arya Samaj is to do good to the whole world i.e. to promote physical, spiritual and social progress of all humans.

Principle Seven: Your dealings with all should be regulated by love and due justice in accordance with the dictates of dharma (righteousness).

Principle Eight: Avidyaa (illusion and ignorance) is to be dispelled, and Vidyaa (realisation and acquisition of knowledge) should be promoted.

Principle Nine: None should remain satisfied with one's own elevation only, but should incessantly strive for the social upliftment of all, realise one's own elevation in the elevation of others.

Principle 10: All persons ought to dedicate themselves necessarily for the social good and the well being of all, subordinating their personal interest, while the individual is free to enjoy freedom of action for the individual well being.

Vedic Cultural Centre (VCC)

The VCC  opened on August 15^th 1996, the day of India's Independence from British Colonial Rule. 

The VCC can hold up to 500 persons. To find out more about how to organise an event at the Vedic Cultural Centre, click here.

The Vedic Cultural Centre requires assistance to maintain this great facility.  Donations are welcomed and are all tax-deductible for Canadian tax purposes.  To donate or just to get more information, please call (905) 475-5778.

Thank you to all the people of the Markham & Toronto Arya Samajs, The Vedic Cultural Centre and Hindus of the world who helped to create and maintain this website for Vedic-Dharma.

Please e-mail us your event for posting on this site at: info@vedicculturalcentre.com
Need a place to hold your Special Event?

Come Celebrate you Weddings, Anniversaries, Birthday Parties, Concerts, Trade Shows, Seminars, Business Functions and Special Occasions.

Upper Main Hall includes a large stage and seating accommodation for 650 persons.

Lower Banquet Hall includes a dance floor and Banquet tables for 600 persons.

For Rental Rates & Bookings Please Contact :
Anand Rupnarain: (416) 422-2295 or
Vedic Cultural Centre : (905)-475-5778
or email us at info@vedicculturalcentre.com

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Vedic Cultural Centre Board of Directors : 2012 - 2013

The Vedic Cultural Centre (VCC) board is responsible for its maintenance and day to day affairs
The Board of Officers and Directors are made up of representatives from  both Arya Samaj Toronto
and Arya Samaj Markham.The Board Members for 2011-2012 are as follows:

Chairperson : Anand Rupnarain

Vice-Chairperson : Ajit Wadhwa

Secretary : Sharda Bhajan

Treasurer : Ranbir Ghei

Director : Amar Erry

Director : Devanand Ramoutar

Director : Vijay Ghai

Director : Adit Kumar

Director : Yash Kapur

Director : Satyanand Sarju

You may see the :  TV Programe  
 PRANA GAYA - The Power of the Gayatri Mantra - Divine Chantings of the Vedas.
Airing on CHEX TV  Every Saturday from 10.00 A.M - 10.30 A.M

Upcoming events of Arya Samaj Markham

Yajmans of coming sundays of Arya Samaj Markham

Upcoming events of Toronto Arya Samaj

Arya Samaj Markham

UPCOMING EVENTS

Date	Day	Time	Details
8-Sep-13	Sunday		Vidya Arambh Yajna
26-Oct-13	Saturday		Diwali Mela
3-Nov-13	Sunday		Rishi Nirvaan Diwas
23-Nov-13	Saturday		Annual Awards Dinner
31-Dec-13	Tuesday		New Years Function

WEEKLY SATSANG
From 19-Apr-13 Our Satsang time changes from mornings to evenings(10:00 AM to 12:00 PM)

SPECIAL HAVANS OF THE MONTH

Month	Amavasya	Sankranti	Purnima

Please make sure that you have renewed your membership for the current calendar year, which is from 1^st January to 31^st December)

    Yajmans for the coming Sundays

Date	Yajman's Name

Dates available for Yajman booking

Please share your family celebrations and occasions with other members of Arya Samaj.

You can now make bookings for yajmans in advance for the upcoming months. To avoid any disappointment please book your havan as soon as possible.
For Yajman booking & Rishi Langer please contact: Sat Chopra (905-770-5140) or
for Functions: Asha Bhatia (416-756-4199) or
Vedic Cultural Centre (905) 475-5778.

Please make every effort to attend all the above-mentioned functions and encourage your friends and relatives to join with us to make these programs a great success.

For more up to date information and other activities at Arya Samaj Markham and Vedic Cultural Center. Phone (905) 475-5778.

YOUTH of ARYA SAMAJ MARKHAM

The Arya Samaj also has its very own youth Group, known as Youth of Arya Samaj. The YAS Group comprises of several youth members with various events being planned every month.

We encourage our youth to get involved in various activities of youth and Arya Samaj.

For further information please contact:

Sudershen Beri

President

416-756-0189

Yoga Meditation & Karate

Day	Details	Start Time	End Time
Monday	Matsubayashi Karate	6:00 PM	7:00 PM
Tuesday	Yoga	7:00 PM	8:15 PM
Wednesday	Yoga	7:00 PM	8:15 PM
Thursday	Matsubayashi Karate	6:00 PM	7:00 PM
Thursday	Yoga	7:00 PM	8:15 PM
Saturday	Hath Yoga	8:00 AM	9:00 AM
Sunday	Yoga	8:00 AM	9:00 AM

Yoga everyday from 6:00 - 7:00 AM

For more information contact :

Anand Rupnarain - Ph: 416-422-2295
or
VCC: 905-475-5778

Special Services from Arya Samaj Markham

1) Vedic Sanskaar - Weddings, Wedding Anniversary, Greh Pravesh, Mundan Sanskaar, Namkaran Sanskaar etc.

Addressing the needs of the community, the Arya Samaj also provides free services by trained Religious Priests to conduct different Vedic Sanskar at the residence of our community members.

Registered Priests of Arya Samaj

Mrs. Sarla Bedi - 416 - 494 - 0999

Mrs. Swarn Lata Sareen - 905 - 257 - 3843

For booking please contact.

Vedic Cultural Centre (905) 475-5778.
Sat P Chopra 905-770-5140

2) On Going Programs - Sunday school for children, every Sunday from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM. This program is for all ages and the curiculum includes teaching of Hindi, Yoga, Culture and Religion. The program is supervised by certified Teachers.

3) Daah Sanskar

We understand that the death of loved ones in a family is very stressful and traumatic. In order to help at that difficult time, Arya Samaj has approached various Funeral Homes/Crematoriums and worked out a plan, which the economical and in line with our Vedic System of performing the last rites(Daah Sanskar). Under those unfortunate times, if we can be any assistance please get in touch by phone.

Vedic Cultural Centre » (905)-475-5778
Sat P Chopra 905-770-5140

Weekly Activities of Toronto Arya Samaj

Activity	Day	Timings
Yoga & Meditation	Saturdays & Sundays	8.00 AM - 10.00 AM
	Wednesdays	7.00 PM - 8.00 PM
	Daily yoga	6.30 AM - 7.30 AM
Matsubayashi Karate	Mondays	7.30 PM - 8.30 PM
Tabla	Fridays	7.00 PM - 8.00 PM
Yoga ( Youth )	Fridays	7.00 PM - 8.00 PM
Hindi & Philosophy for youths	Fridays	8.00 PM - 10.00 PM
Kirtan and Music	Fridays	8.00 PM - 10.00 PM

Registered Priests for TAS with the Government.

1. Pt. Devanand Ramoutar
2. Pt. Vidyarthi Sriram
3. Pt. Amar Umadas
4. Pta. Jasodra Prashad    

Sunday School, Arya Samaj Markham.
Vedic Cultural Centre
4345 14th Avenue, Markham. Ontario.
905-475-5778

Sunday School Flyer

Sunday School Registration Form

Sunday School is one of the many and is the oldest, community services that is provided for children by Arya Samaj Markham.

This School is run by a very dedicated team of Ontario/Canada trained and experienced teachers and volunteer facilitators; students,15 years and over work here as volunteers for ‘community volunteer hours’ which can be used towards their Secondary School diploma. Sunday School runs from the second Sunday of September to mid June of following year.

Our Mission at Sunday School is to develop the children of Hindu/Vedic community by providing education in Vedic/Hindu/Indian values & culture in a social and enjoyable atmosphere. The goal is to promote in children of Arya Samaj a sense of belonging, a sense of identity  and a sense of pride in their rich, Vedic/Hindu Heritage. Personal, cultural & spiritual development of children is catered to by special focus on fostering a Home-School partnership.

Curriculum at Sunday School encompasses :Yoga, Dharama/ Religion Education, Cultural/moral values and Hindi, the language of our culture.

Kids also attend Aartee and concluding procedures of regular Satsangs at the Samaj.

Education at Sunday School is thematic-activity-based. Children participate in Yogic exercises catered to their age level; learn, recitations,  bhajans mantras ,their meanings and value of sandhya, havan yajna, importance of cultural festivities and celebrations ,through activities like stories, plays/skits, fables, arts and craft, speech arts, performing arts, and  mini workshops [ such as setting up for havan, playing a dholak, dessing up dolls in Indian traditional clothing, making decorations and deeyas for Diwali, making a ‘patang for Basant.] Message of the day is carried out in all areas of instruction. Language skills are developed through conversational Hindi exercises carried out by “scenarios”, and object composition based on activity/theme. Oral drill in language is reinforced by practice in writing.
Population of Sunday School is made up of 4-14 year old children who make a big resource pool of artists. They participate in all regular functions and satsangs of the Samaj through out the year. Besides in-house activities like ‘Baal divas’, grandparents day etc. Sunday School carries out excursions, and makes field trips. Celebrating Diwali at the parliament House is one example.

Due to problem of different kinds of allergies in children these days, Sunday  School believes in “NUT Free” environment. Parents are advised to exercise their discretion for school snacks

Communication with parents is open and thorough.

For more info please contact:

	Sudershen Beri
Coordinator - Sunday School	President
	416-756-0189

Vedic Knowledge

The meaning of "Om"
“Om” Name is the religious symbol of the Hindus. But it is omnipresent in almost all the major cultures of our world.
Another way of saying Om is Aum. Aum is the sound of the infinite. Aum is said to be the essence of all mantras and Vedas, the highest of all mantras or divine word. By sound and form, AUM symbolizes the infinite Brahman and the entire universe.
A stands for Creation.
U stands for Preservation.
And finally M stands for Destruction or dissolution.
This represents the Trinity of God in Hindu dharma (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva).
The three portions of AUM relate to the states of waking, dream and deep sleep and the three guans (rajas, satva, tamas). The three letters also indicate three planes of existence, heaven, earth and the netherworld. AUM can represent all the words produced by the human vocal organ. A is produced by the throat, U & M by the lips. In the Vedas, AUM is the sound of the Sun, the sound of Light. It is the sound of assent. It has an upward movement and uplifts the soul, as the sound of the divine eagle or falcon.
The pronunciation of the word "OM" is supposed to symbolize the totality of all sounds as it includes all other sounds that humans can utter. This idea of totality also exists in the English word "Omnipresent" that includes OM as its prefix. We also have words like Omnipotent and Omniscient, all of which have the concept of totality in their meanings.
The ancient Greek alphabet had Omega as its last letter. Omega written in the lower case of the Greek alphabet, if turned to its side, looks quite similar to the Sanskrit way of writing Om. It is from the Greek alphabet "Omega" that we have the English phrase "the alpha and Omega", which means, "to include everything". It is said that the word Om has been used to make other words. The Christian term "Amen" is said to have some link with "Om" as also the Islamic term "Amin". Both of these terms are similar to Om.
Om is a well-known symbol to Indians all over the world. Almost every Indian household owns some sort of Om symbol. The way I was taught Om is a symbol of God

Our Scriptures
Scriptures or Shastras are religious books. They contain knowledge that tells us about our religion, guide us to differentiate right from wrong.
Our most important Scriptures (Shastras) are:
Vedas: The word Veda means Knowledge. These are the root of Hindu religion.
Hinduism has developed on the teachings contained in the Vedas.
They are four in number and are the oldest books in the world:
Rigveda by Agni Rishi
Samaveda by Aditya Rishi
Yajurveda by Vayu Rishi
Atharvaveda by Angira Rishi
The four Vedas comprise more than 20,000 hymns.
The Vedas area also called Shruti (heard knowledge). When the Rishis (holy men of pure minds and thoughts) sat in meditation, God revealed unto the Rishis the knowledge of the Vedas and the Vedas are said to be Divine Knowledge. The Rishis, in turn, explained the revealed knowledge to the people.
Bhagavad Gita: The Bhagavad Gita contains lessons preached by Lord Krishna to Arjuna on a battlefield. This happened about 5,000 years ago, but even today the message of the Gita is necessary. The Gita is a small book but it contains a great amount of knowledge. All Hindus regard the Gita as their main scripture. It is considered to be one of the best amongst the religious books of the world. It has been translated into many languages, and people all over read it with great interest.
Ramayana: The Ramayana contains the story of King Rama. The original Ramayana was written in Sanskrit. This book was written by Valmiki Rishi. The Ramayana contains not only the stories of Rama, Sita, and others, but it also contains religious teachings. The people who appear in the Ramayana teach us how we should mold our lives; how father and son should behave towards each other; how brothers should live together; how pure and faithful the lives of husbands and wives should be; what the duties of a king and his subjects are.

The Vedic Cultural Centre(VCC)

#4345 * 14th Avenue. Markham, Ontario. L3R 0J2. Canada
(905) 475-5778 or info@vedicculturalcentre.com

Directions:

If you are coming from West:

1. Take Hwy 401 East.
2. Take exit on Warden Avenue -- go NORTH.
3. Keep going on Warden -- cross Sheppard, Finch, Steeles.
4. Turn RIGHT on 14th Avenue.
5. Cross Birchmount.
6. VCC is on the right hand side (just before Kennedy).

If you are coming from the NorthWest:

1. Take Hwy 407 East.
2. Take exit on Warden Avenue -- go SOUTH.
3. At First Traffic Light, turn LEFT on 14th Avenue.
4. Cross Birchmount.
5. VCC is on the right hand side (just before Kennedy).

If you are coming from the East:

1. Take Hwy 401 West.
2. Take exit on Kennedy Road -- go NORTH.
3. Keep going on Kennedy -- cross Sheppard, Finch, Steeles.
4. Turn LEFT on 14th Avenue.
5. VCC is on the left hand side right after the Water Tower.

If you are coming from the NorthEast:

1. Take Hwy 407 West.
2. Take exit on Kennedy Road -- go SOUTH.
3. Turn RIGHT on 14th Avenue.
4. VCC is on the left hand side right after the Water Tower

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

(Continued...)                                                                                                                             

(My humble  salutations to the great devotees ,  wikisources  and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the collection )