Jain Shikar-Bandhi Temple

Address: 441 Ellesmere Road, Toronto, ON

Commissioned in: 2019

Site Area: 4.1 Acres

Status: Going through Building Permit process

The Shikar-Bandhi Temple designed to be built adjacent to Jain Cultural Centre will be the largest Jain Community Temple in North America, consisting of two main Halls one with the capacity of 250 and another with the capacity of 150 patrons. Divided by a folding partition, enables two main halls to be utilized at the same time when needed. The building was designed to have some inspiration from traditional Jain temples in India with the use of modern technology, materials, complying with all the building codes and industry standards in Canada.

We have designed 3 small and two bigger Gambhara, two Kesar Sukhad rooms. In main level designed a very vast area which will be used as an Art gallery or museum of Jain society in the future. The corridors will be equipped with display cases to present the handicrafts of society’s members.

Jainism is an ancient religion from India that teaches that the way to liberation and bliss is to live a life of harmlessness and renunciation. The aim of Jain life is to achieve liberation of the soul.
Toronto, Canada is home to the largest population of Jains in North America. Demographic indications show that the population is continuing to grow and the needs of the community are expanding to include the social and religious needs of society into perspective.

The followers of Jainism are called “Jains”, a word derived from the Sanskrit word Jina (victor) and connoting the path of victory in crossing over life’s stream of rebirths through an ethical and spiritual life.

The Jain Society of Toronto (JSOT) was established in 1974 by a group of Individuals with the aim of promoting cultural and community services to Jain individuals who have come into the country.

In 2012, 4.1 acres of land with unfinished structure of 48,000 sq.ft. was bought in the City of Toronto “441 Ellesmere Road”. It was dedicated to build the biggest Jain cultural Centre in North America and a Shikar-Bandhi Temple. A place of worship for Jain community of Greater Toronto Area.

A Shikar-Bandhi Temple, that will encompass both Swetambar and Digambar Ghabaras, this will serve as the ultimate legacy of unity, togetherness and worship for all Jains. A Jain temple, Derasar or Basadi is a place of worship for Jains, Jain temples are built with various architectural designs, but there are mainly two types of Jain temples:
1. Shikar-Bandhi Jain temple (one with a dome)
2. Ghar Jain temple (Jain house temple – one without a dome).

There is always a main deity, also known as Moolnayak, in every Jain temple placed inside a sanctum called “Gambhara” (Garbha Griha). A manastambha (column of honour) is a pillar that is often constructed in front of Jain temples.