10 Jain Temples In Canada: A Guide To Spiritual Serenity

Jainism is an old religion based on the ideas of nonviolence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), and kindness (Daya). Many Jain temples in Canada offer a spiritual haven for the Jain community. They are places where people can pray, learn about their culture, and meet new people. There are a few followers of this faith in Canada, but they are very active. People pray, have spiritual talks, and celebrate important Jain holidays like Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushana, and Diwali in these temples. A sense of community is also built through educational programs, charity work, and activities that promote Jainism’s core teachings.

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10 Jain Temples In Canada

Here is a list of Jain temples in Canada, Each one is a spiritual centre for prayer, preserving culture, and getting involved in the community.

1. Jain Society Of Alberta

An image of an amazing white temple - one of the sacred Jain temples in Canada.

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The Jain Society of Alberta (JSOA), one of the famous temples in Canada, is a group that brings together the Jain community in Edmonton and across Alberta. A group of less than five Jain families got together in 1974 to form the “Edmonton Jain Sangh.” By 2020, about 70 dedicated Jain families will be living in Edmonton. The faith group is growing as people move there from all over the world. It is the job of the Jain Society of Alberta to help its members understand and follow the Jain faith.

Location: Alberta, Canada
Timings: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fees: Free

2. Jain Center Of British Columbia

An image of a Jain Centre BC , which is in between of mountains with some tourists.

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The Jain Centre BC is a non-profit group founded in 1984 to promote nonviolence, peaceful coexistence, vegetarianism, and discussion between different faiths. They want to give people who follow Jainism a place to pray, learn, and spread the religion. This group supports and spreads the Jain ideals of Ahimsa, Aparigraha, and Anekant. They also want to give the next generation a place to learn about and appreciate their spiritual history. The Jain Centre of British Columbia holds many festivals, such as Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushan, Das Lakshan, and Mahavir Nirvan (Deepawali).

Location: British Columbia, Canada
Timings: 7:30 AM – 8 PM
Entry Fees: N/A

3. Jain Center Of Ottawa

The Jain Society of Ottawa-Carleton (JSOC) - one of the Jain temples in Canada.

Photo: Rajesh Mishra / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

The Jain Society of Ottawa-Carleton (JSOC), is a legal charity that has been around since 1988 in Ottawa, Canada. People from Jain families in Ottawa-Carleton and the National Capital Region have been getting together for the past 35 years. They come together to practice and embrace the values of nonviolence, truth, compassion, and spiritual upliftment, which are central to Jainism. If you are a long-time follower of Jainism or just want to learn more about this deep theory, society is a great place to do it. It helps people grow, get community involvement, and find inner peace.

Location: Ottawa, Canada
Timings: 7 AM – 7 PM
Entry Fees: N/A

4. Jain Society Of Toronto

An illustrated image of a temple, which is similar to one of the Jain temples in Canada.

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The Jain Society of Toronto (JSOT) was founded in 1974 as a non-profit religious organization by a group of forward-thinking individuals. Their goal was to provide Jains with a space to practice and observe different aspects of Jainism. Additionally, the society aimed to protect Jain culture for future generations and foster fellowship among all Jains. Several smaller groups, such as the Jain Seniors Group, the Young Jains of Toronto (YJOT), and the Jain Professional and Cultural Association of Young Adults (JPCA), plan and run events and activities all the time.

Location: Toronto, Canada
Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fees: N/A

5. Jain Samaja Of Niagra Falls

An image of brown concrete columns inside one of the Jain temples in Canada.

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The Jain Samaj of Niagara Falls, one of the holy temples in Canada, supports spiritual and cultural activities for the Jain community in the area. The greater Niagara area supports Jain and Hindu religious activities through groups like the Niagara Hindu Samaj. This group, a nationally registered charity, helps Jain and Hindu communities by running places like the Shiv Mandir in Niagara Falls and providing spiritual services. Promoting Jain ideals, planning events, and keeping cultural ties are all things the community does.

Location: Niagra Falls, Canada
Timings: 7 AM – 7 PM
Entry Fees: N/A

6. Adinath Swamy Jain Temple

An image of a white temple, which is similar to one of the popular spiritual sites.

Photo: ChanhNguyen / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

Adinath Swamy Jain Temple in Brampton, Canada is the first traditional Jain temple in the United States. It is also known as the Bhagwan 1008 Adinatha Swamy Jain Temple. This temple, which is at 7875 Mayfield Road, is a work of art in the classical Indian style of architecture. It has a sanctum sanctorum with detailed marble statues of Bhagwan Adinath and other Tirthankaras made in Jaipur, India, and a 52-foot marble tower called the Mana Sthambh. There are three stories of this temple, which is the spiritual centre of Canada’s Jain community.

Location: Brampton, Canada
Timings: 5:30 AM – 11:30 AM and 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Entry Fees: N/A

7. Montreal Jain Association

An image of the serene Jain Association of Montreal (JAM) in Montreal, Canada.

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The Jain Association of Montreal (JAM) helps the Jain people in Montreal, Canada. The group’s goals are to spread the teachings and values of Jainism, bring Jains together, and offer a space for educational, cultural, and religious events. The Jain Association of Montreal puts together many events and projects year-round. There may be religious events, festivals, spiritual talks, lectures, and cultural shows that show off Jain customs and values. Also, they have programs that teach people about Jain philosophy, the ideals of nonviolence, and other parts of Jainism.

Location: Montreal, Canada
Timings: 7 AM – 7 PM
Entry Fees: N/A

8. Jain Centre Of Edmonton

A view of a majestic Jain temple with detailed architecture and a peaceful ambience.

Photo: Shivamt77 / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

The Jain Center of Edmonton opened in 1997 and is the main Jain temple in Edmonton and the nearby places. The centre has spiritual events, prayers, and Jain teachings every Day. It is essential for keeping Jain culture and spirituality alive in the area, and big holidays like Mahavir Jayanti and Paryushana are celebrated there. The temple also has classes on Jain philosophy, meditation, and ethical living. It also does a lot of good in the community by holding food and clothing drives and helping needy people.

Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Timings: 7 AM – 7 PM
Entry Fees: N/A

9. Shri Derasar Jain Temple

A view of a Jain temple with majestic, pristine architecture and serene ambience.

Photo: Chirag Gudhka / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Shri Derasar Jain Temple in Richmond, British Columbia is a peaceful place to worship, pray, and meditate. Many religious events and big Jain holidays, like Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushana, and Diwali, are held at the temple. As part of its educational and community service activities, the temple also teaches Jain ideals such as truth (Satya), nonviolence (Ahimsa), and compassion (Daya). The community often gets together for social and cultural events that bring the Jains closer together and raise awareness of their history.

Location: Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Timings: 5:30 AM – 11:30 AM and 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Entry Fees: N/A

10. Jain Society Of Calgary

A beautiful image of elegant columns of a Jain temple, supporting the grand structure.

Photo: Johannes Plenio / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

The Jain Society of Calgary opened a new temple in 2017 to serve the growing number of Jain people in Alberta. This modern chapel has a large prayer hall, a meditation area, and learning spaces. It still holds regular events, prayers, and talks. The temple is very involved in celebrating Jain holidays like Mahavir Jayanti and Paryushana. It also has educational programs for kids to learn about Jain ideals. The Jain Society is dedicated to helping others and plans neighbourhood service projects that align with Jain’s beliefs.

Location: Alberta, Canada
Timings: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Entry Fees: N/A

These Jain temples in Canada offer a rich cultural and spiritual experience. They are peaceful places to worship, get involved in the community, and keep Jain customs alive. TripXL has carefully chosen tours that will help you find the spiritual centre of Canada if you want to visit these holy places. Book your Jain temple tour in Canada today and start your trip to find mental peace!

Cover Photo: Mehdi Kasumov / Shutterstock

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the visiting hours for ISKCON temples in Canada?

Different ISKCON centers in Canada may have different hours for visitors. Most of the time, they are open all week, with worship and temple services in the mornings and nights. For exact times, it's best to check the temple's website or call them personally, especially during holidays or other special events.

What are the main Jain festivals celebrated at temples in Canada?

Canada's Jain temples celebrate several important holidays, such as Mahavir Jayanti (Lord Mahavir's birthday), Paryushana (a time of fasting and thought), Diwali (the festival of lights), Kartika Purnima (the start of the Jain monsoon retreat), and Akshaya Tritiya.

Do ISKCON temples in Canada offer vegetarian food?

ISKCON centers in Canada do serve vegetarian food because that's what the Hare Krishna movement believes in. A lot of temples have vegetarian restaurants or food stands that serve prasadam, which is food that has been made with devotion.

Are there Jain temples that offer vegetarian meals or dining services?

Lingars are community kitchens that serve meatless food at many Jain temples. These kitchens are bustling during festivals and other special events. Jainism stresses a strict vegetarian diet as one of its core ideals of nonviolence (Ahimsa).

How can you contribute to Jain temples?

Most Jain temples in Canada are happy to get donations and accessible work to help them with their religious, cultural, and charitable work. Donations of money can be made, which can be used to keep the temple in good shape, put on events, and support social welfare projects.