The Hindu Temple

This week, our taxes finally done, we went out to do some exploring in the local area. We'd been recommended a really pretty Hindu Temple a while ago, but hadn't found time to visit yet. 

It was still a bit chilly outside, especially first thing in the morning when we went, but bright and the early time meant that there very few people visiting. The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was tucked behind some warehouses, but opened into a big stone garden with paths and small gazebo structures, and at the front, a big mandir. 

It's a sacred space, and we had to take our shoes off to go up the steps and go inside. The outside was made of pink stone, brought all the way from India and every inch was hand carved with designs and Hindu Gods. 

The inside was carved the same, but made from white marble from Italy. It also housed big golden statues of previous Swamis of the sect, with information about each. Photos were not allowed in this room, but imagine the outside turned inside out and in bright white. 

Underneath this main room was an exhibition which taught about life in India, the culture and languages, and about the building of the Mandir. It was built in 2012 and was still only the 5th traditional Hindu Mandir in North America. 

The Mandir, as well as being a holy space, shares its site with a lot of community rooms for the Hindu community. They hold youth sports, language sessions and celebrations to help second generation Hindus reconnect with their heritage. They were also a major vaccination site for the local community during the pandemic. 

In this site, they also had a cafe and food shop, and we enjoyed some fresh, authentic samosas and stocked up on spices to use in making our curries (all I can get in the grocery store in generic or Vietnamese curry powders). 

On the way back home, we also stopped in a popular bakery called Crumbl Cookies which are known for making new flavours each week. We got one each - Mitchell a brownie flavour (which came warm) and I had a mint choc chip (which came chilled).

That was it for Saturday, but Sunday was busy. We got going early again, for a walk with the meet-up group around a local lake. It wasn't great weather, and even started to rain as we were walking around. You could see how much rain we've had this season, as the picnic benches were flooded from the lake rising up to the grassy areas. 

We did a loop, and although it had been suggested to do another, I don't think anyone was ready for more walking in the weather. Instead, we all went for lunch at a nearby foodhall. The Glendora Public Market was small, but still had lots of choices for everyone. We got some veggie hotdogs and boba tea and stayed for a while talking to new people and people we'd met before. Lorraine gave me tons of suggestions for new adventures!

Lorraine's dog was the only picture I took in there

We had a brief window at home and then it was out for Mitchell's improv show. Despite a small audience it was a lot of fun and very high energy as usual! 

It was a long day, but with lots and lots to do! 

Lots of love,

Emily and Mitchell

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