Growing up in a Gujarati household in Ahmedabad, the young Sharadbhai took to Sanskrit early on, learning about the Vedas and the ways of priesthood from his priest father before going to Banaras, Uttar Pradesh to partake in higher religious studies just like his father had done before him.
By R. Paul Dhillon
After more than five decades of Hindu priesthood with invaluable contribution to Hindu Sanathan and faithful adhering to the community – Pandit Sharadbhai Chandra retired last year from his regular service as an in house priest at the Hindu temple in Burnaby, which was known as VHP when he took over service in 1992.
Growing up in a Gujarati household in Ahmedabad, the young Sharadbhai took to Sanskrit early on, learning about the Vedas and the ways of priesthood from his priest father before going to Banaras, Uttar Pradesh to partake in higher religious studies just like his father had done before him.
“There were five boys in our household and I was the oldest,” Sharadbhai told the LINK. “My father, who lived to be 100-years-old, wanted me to become Shastri and by the grace of God I was able to follow in my father’s footsteps and continued in spiritual way of life.”
After graduating, Sharadbhai became a lecturer at the Gujarat University surpassing his father in attaining very high level of education in Hinduism.
“I was teaching in school and would also do seva at the mandir as well as various other ceremonies related to Hinduism in Ahmedabad like going to people’s homes and doing pooja, which I continue to do here in Vancouver now that I’m retired from my priesthood at the mandir,” Sharadbhai said.
While he was content with his life in Gujarat – destiny had other plans for Sharadbhai. In 1992, he was approached by the then VHP management to come to Vancouver. He came as a visitor and was persuaded to stay and become the permanent head priest at the VHP temple in Burnaby.
Sharadbhai was 50 years old at that time and decided that the time was right for him to try a new place and spread his knowledge to a new flock in far away land.
At the time of his arrival – the temple had a priest but it was not open seven days and did not have a full program for its congregation. Sharadbhai changed all that with daily pooja and regular schedule of events for the congregation and not just the weekend programs.
He did have to adjust his priest skills as he was a Vedh Pandit from Sanathan background where the congregation in Vancouver was largely Arya Samaj but he said he had no problem adjusting to the wishes of the local Hindu community which was small but active spiritually.
“Everyone was happy with the programs and welcomed me with open arms,” Sharadbhai remembers. “I remember that Sushma Datt and her mother Leela Datt were regulars at the mandir and her mother was really happy that such a learned Pandit has come to their temple. It made me feel really good that my service was appreciated.”
To the delight of the congregation, Sharadbhai added special pooja on weekdays that would focus on various deities like Vishnu, Hanuman, Radha-Krishan, Lord Shiva and even Sai Baba and social service talks.
“I really enjoyed my time in Vancouver because the people were very nice to me and appreciated what I brought to the temple,” he said. “And we welcomed everyone – Gujaratis, Punjabis, Fijian people and people from all caste and creed.”
Sharadbhai was instrumental in bringing in many changes over his long service to the local Hindu community at the temple, including instituting Sunday and Tuesday langar.
After a long and dedicated service to the congregation of the Burnaby Hindu temple, Sharadbhai retired last year at the age of 50, exactly 20 years after he had come to Vancouver. While he could have stayed on for a few years but he says that it was time to move on given his age and health.
“I gave my life to the temple and am happy that I was able to provide the service to our community for so long. But I still have the knowledge and continue to spread that to the community through house pooja and other such occassion,” Sharadbhai said.
Sharadbhai continues to spread his knowledge and wisdom with private home prayers. He can be contacted at 604-291-6042.
