It is a nice temple, with prasad every Sunday. The vibe is calm and spiritual. The priest expects you to give some donation in exchange for the prasad they offer, but anything is good. It is easy to find parking. It is at a very convenient location, especially for people in Vancouver. read more

Shree Mahalakshmi Temple - Visuals of inside the temple - Hindu Temples Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Rules for attending 'Temple" 1. Don't feel 'weird' going 2. Line up around 1:30 if you want to get in for the first 'round' of food. 3. WASH YOUR HANDS at the door 4. Smile and say thank you to everyone! 5. Don't be obnoxious while you eat, say yes please or no thank you when offered more! 6. CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF. 7. DONATE DONATE DONATE. Don't be a jerk and donate in the little wooden box stuck to the wall by the door you came in. read more

Shree Mahalakshmi Temple - Hindu Temples Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Lol I'm not sure how to really go about reviewing a church or temple. I suppose it's alright for a temple. Services every sunday from morning until noonish. All in Hindi. I wish it was translated or there was an English one because more and more of today's Hindu youth don't understand Hindi. However, I think it would go against their philosophy if they did have it in English. After which they have a homemade vegetarian Indian lunch for those who attended the sermon. At about 2:30ish, they open doors to anyone and everyone (yes, including you!) who wants a free meal and didn't attend the sermon. The food is really really good. read more

Shree Mahalakshmi Temple - Hindu Temples Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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The folks who serve at this temple have never been anything but wonderful to me. Once I showed up for Sunday temple late and I was gonna leave, but the gentleman who's always there, you know, the older guy who's clearly in charge, he came out and literally forced me to come in so they could feed me. Selfless service indeed! Every Sunday at 2pm there's a block-long hipster fashion show outside of this place as kids with hangovers wait for free Indian food. The food, by the way, is great. You know what's not great? The cursing, ungrateful, middle class idiots who stand outside and SMOKE and THROW THEIR CIGARETTE BUTTS on the lawn. Have some respect, assholes! Whenever I go, I make sure to donate whatever I have - usually $5. Someone pays for this food, though the kids who go never really seem to think about that. By the way, if you want to volunteer and help them make food, show up at 7am on a Sunday morning. Oh, and vegans take note: avoid the white stuff and the paneer. read more

Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity (both material and spiritual), fortune, and the embodiment of beauty. She is the consort of the god Vishnu. Also called Mahalakshmi, she is said to bring good luck and is believed to protect her devotees from all kinds of misery and money-related sorrows. I can't say for sure but I'm guessing that the good people of the Shree Mahalakshmi Temple follow the goddesses lead by offering Sunday lunches at no cost. If you're in between pay checks or are just interested in some decent vegetarian indian food this is a decent way to spend an afternoon. Follow Lindsay E.'s rules below mainly because they are not official rules, it's unlikely you'll ever have someone there call you on them, but some of your fellow patrons might. read more

Every Sunday around 2 to 2:30 PM, the kind people worshiping and volunteering at the temple offer a free meal composed of curry paste, rice, potatoes, and an assortment of vegetables. The line can be long and full of college students (as this seems to be the only handout that people with some cash are ok with accepting weekly) but in good weather it's worth waiting around. There's obviously no waiter service. You grab a tray, they fill it with food, you thank them, get a glass of water, sit down and eat. Afterwards you clear your own plate off, donate some change in the box at the back, and wash your hands. Walk through the crowd of smokers outside and stay full the whole day. read more

To an person not experienced in HIndu culture, this place would appear as very nice and interesting. Unfortunately, it does not properly represent the Hindu faith at all - it is a type of business and cult generated by the priest of this temple who denounces many valuable and traditional forms of Hindu worship. I could not feel one speck of true spiritual energy or positive vibration in the place at any time. The same people stick around and support the little temple and the family that presides over it..They are deluded but well meaning. They do some good social service in terms of feeding all the down and outers that want to come and eat a free meal once a week but it makes it very unpleasant for the regulars or other visitors - read more

One of the best and most traditional and true hindu temples in Vancouver. Everyone is very kind and the ceremonies are well performed.