Hinduism not a religion but a way of life, says PM Modi as he visits gurdwara, temple in Vancouver

After wooing the audience in Toronto, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Laxmi Narayan temple and a gurdwara and in Vancouver.

Hinduism not a religion but a way of life, says PM Modi as he visits gurdwara, temple in Vancouver
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Vancouver: After wooing the audience in Toronto, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Laxmi Narayan temple and a gurdwara in Vancouver, and said Hinduism is not a religion but a way of life.

He was accompanied by his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper here.

At the Khalsa Diwan Society's Sikh Gurdwara, located on the southern edge of Vancouver, a large crowd of supporters gathered at the temple before filing inside.

Modi said at the gurdwara: "We should fill life with colours of humanity, and serve mankind."

An official of the historic Sikh society said Modi will be the third Indian prime minister to visit, after Jawaharlal Nehru's visit in 1949 and Indira Gandhi's sojourn 42 years ago.

Modi described the reconstruction of the gurdwara at Lakhpat in Gujarat during his tenure as chief minister.

"The gurudwara at Lakhpat, where Guru Nanak had stayed for 15 days, had been damaged in the 2001 earthquake, and had been reconstructed successfully."

"The Sikh community came here as farmers, worked hard and earned the respect of the people of Canada. India is respected in Canada and this is due to your efforts. Wherever we are, let us do things that bring pride to our nation," he added.

Later, the PM prayed at the temple, with the priest applying tika on his forehead.

In his remarks at the temple, the Prime Minister thanked Harper and the people of Canada for the warm welcome and hospitality they had accorded to him.

"The Supreme Court in India has given a nice definition to 'Hindu dharam'...The Supreme Court has said that Hindu dharam is not a religion but a way of life...I believe the SC's definition shows the way," Modi added.

He said Hindu religion has worked for the benefit of nature, including wildlife, through the scientific way of life.

"This can show a way out of small problems of life," he said.

The Prime Minister also referred to the UN declaring June 21 as International Yoga day with a record co-sponsorship last year, 125 days after he made a suggestion in this regard in the world body.

He asked the Indian Diaspora to spread the message about yoga for the benefit of humanity.

He highlighted the role of Indian-origin Canadians in developing bilateral relations at both the religious places.

Modi and Harper also visited the Komagata Maru Museum.

The PM later attended an official dinner hosted by his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper, before departing for India.

(With Agency inputs)

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