Dear Respected City Officials and Council Members,

We, the Tamil, Saivam, and Hindu community of Cornwall and Area, write to humbly request your compassionate consideration for this year’s Annual Religious Festival at the Cornwall Shivan Temple, scheduled from July 15 to July 26, 2025.

For over 35 years, our community had no temple in Cornwall. Many elders had to travel long distances just to worship. The opening of the Shivan Temple changed that. It became our first and only spiritual home, where elders can now pray close to home, and where children learn values and discipline through the Cornwall Shivan Araneri School.

This festival is not just a cultural gathering. It is a sacred and emotionally significant time that unites over 700–1000 people from Cornwall and surrounding cities in worship and celebration. For many, it is the one time each year they feel truly rooted in their identity and spiritually at peace.

We deeply appreciate the City’s support over the past 18 months, which allowed two successful and peaceful festivals to take place. We also understand the importance of public safety and acknowledge the City’s responsibility in this regard.

However, the proposed 25-person cap due to ongoing permit issues would make it impossible to uphold the spiritual integrity of this event. Even with strict monitoring, the deep religious significance draws far more attendees. The temple’s founder, Mr. Sivarupan Shanmugalingam, and our coordinators have expressed their commitment to working with the City and are actively addressing permit requirements.

We humbly request that the City defer any enforcement or closure action until after the festival ends on July 26, allowing us a short window to safely and peacefully carry out this sacred tradition. We are also eager to meet and discuss outdoor accommodations, safety protocols, and liability measures to ensure compliance and community well-being.

This is not a political matter, it is about faith, community, and inclusion. We thank you sincerely for standing with us, just as we have stood with Cornwall for decades.

With deep respect and hope,

Tamil, Saivam, and Hindu Residents of Cornwall, Ontario Devotees of Cornwall Shivan Temple Cornwall Tamil Community