Cambridge temple says parking ban throws wrench in Diwali festivities
Thursday marks one of the biggest days on the Hindu calendar, with Diwali bringing in millions of people together in worship and celebration.
But a Cambridge temple says a parking ban has thrown a wrench in its celebration plans.
City staff say because Halloween and Diwali fall on the same day, the parking bans were aimed at increasing public safety by limiting crowds.
The president of the Radha Krishna Mandir & Cultural Centre say this is the first time he’s celebrated Diwali on the same day as Halloween, and that the parking ban will seriously impact this year’s turnout.
“I just want to have people come, get their blessings and leave,” said Dwarka Persaud, the temple’s president.
The temple has been celebrating Diwali on Old Mill Road since 1990. Each year, the festival draws in worshippers from as far as Guelph – but perhaps not this year.
The parking ban is in effect along Meadowcreek Lane and Old Mill Road through Thursday evening.
With limited parking along the back and side of the property, the temple arranged a shuttle to travel to and from Conestoga College’s Cambridge campus.
“Apart from cost and inconvenience, the people aren’t expecting that. This has not been the norm,” said Persaud.
The City of Cambridge did provide some explanation to CTV News.
“With many in our community planning to celebrate Diwali and Halloween on the same night, city representatives reached out to coordinate a parking strategy with the president of the Radha Krishna Mandir & Cultural Centre, who was in support of protecting children and families and their own attendees from any potential harm resulting from significant increases in traffic,” a statement from the city reads in part.
The temple cancelled Thursday’s fireworks display over neighbours’ concerns with large crowds.
Devotees are also asked to leave the temple immediately after worship to make room for others waiting to enter.
“It’s quite disappointing to be honest, but again, we are trying to do what we can do,” said Parth Prajapati, who is celebrating Diwali.
By next year’s Diwali, Persaud hopes to be fully moved into a new temple on Boxwood Drive, which will have much more parking space.
In the meantime, he hopes for more consultation and support from city officials during Hindu holidays.
“We’re just asking for equal representation,” he says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mounties in B.C. raid 'largest and most sophisticated' drug lab in Canadian history
Mounties in British Columbia have discovered the "largest and most sophisticated" drug-production laboratory in Canadian history, federal investigators announced Thursday, describing the facility as a "super lab" operated by international organized criminals.
'Doctors aren't always right': Alberta goes ahead with controversial transgender policies in 3 new bills
The Alberta government has tabled three bills that will change, among other things, how transgender youth and athletes are treated in the province.
Freddie Freeman: American MLB star with Canadian family roots makes World Series history
MLB star Freddie Freeman, a dual Canada-U.S. citizen, has made history as a member of the World Series winning Los Angeles Dodgers.
Charges laid after six-year-old boy fatally struck by school bus north of Toronto: police
A woman has been charged with dangerous driving causing death after a six-year-old boy was struck and killed by a school bus in Vaughan back in June, York Regional Police say.
Quebec freezes two major immigration streams that provide path to permanent residency
The Quebec government has suspended applications for permanent residency from two immigration streams because it says it can no longer accommodate the rising number of newcomers.
Toronto mom charged with murder after baby dies in house fire: police
A 19-year-old mother has been charged with murder after her baby died in a house fire in Toronto last week, police say.
Are you in perimenopause? Here’s what to look for, according to a doctor
Half of the world’s population will undergo menopause if they live to middle age, but symptoms start occurring several years before that life change.
Whistle Stop Cafe owner launches class-action lawsuit against Alberta government over COVID-19 restrictions
The owners of the Whistle Stop Cafe is suing the Alberta government for imposing mandates on businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two Port of Montreal terminals shut down as dockworkers begin new strike
Dockworkers at the Port of Montreal started a new strike Thursday morning, forcing the indefinite shutdown of two container terminals at the country's second biggest port.