Indian Cabinet Minister Shri Piyush Goyal visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on May 9, 2023. He was joined by his wife, Smt. Seema Goyal, and was accompanied by the Consul General of India to Toronto, Smt. Apoorva Srivastava, and the Consul General of India to Vancouver, Shri Manish. Shri Piyush Goyal currently serves as the Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Textiles and is the Leader of the Rajya Sabha in India.
Shri Piyush Goyal was traditionally welcomed by Pujya Gunsagardas Swami, Head Swami of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Toronto. The other guests were also greeted traditionally by volunteers. The visiting delegation was given a tour of the mandir, during which they took part in the Abhishek ritual, paying homage to the sacred image of Shri Nilkanth Varni. They admired the intricate art and architecture of the mandir and offered prayers at the various sacred shrines.
The visit concluded with a tour of the Canadian Museum of Cultural Heritage of Indo-Canadians. This museum beautifully showcases the journey of the Indo-Canadian community and its seamless integration into the rich tapestry of Canadian culture.