Acharya Rudra Prasad Dhungana, native of Asam India, stands as a beacon of dedication and scholarly excellence in the realm of spiritual education. Armed with a Master’s Degree from the prestigious Sampoornananda Sanskrit University, Varanasi, Acharya Rudra graduated in 2000, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey. With a profound background in Karamkhand, Acharya Rudra has garnered extensive experience as a Pandit over the years. His commitment to the spiritual path led him to serve as a Senior Sanskrit Teacher at Vivekananda Kendra in Arunachal Pradesh before joining us in Canada in January 2017.
Not merely a scholar, Acharya Rudra Prasad Dhungana is a versatile individual with a comprehensive skill set. His proficiency in Shukla Yajurveda is complemented by remarkable abilities as a singer, demonstrating a deep understanding of Bhajan, Pravachan, Yoga, Yagya, and Samskaras.
Pt Rudra is also a father of two.
Pt. Nikhil Dharmani, a native of Bilaspur, Himachal, is the son of Shreeman Amardeep and Shreematie Meena Devi. Proudly associated with a rich familial heritage deeply rooted in cultural and spiritual traditions, Pt. Nikhil’s familial circle includes his esteemed elder sister, Poonam Sharma. He draws inspiration from his revered mama (maternal uncle), Pt. Surinder Sharma, a prominent figure at the Hindu Heritage Centre in Mississauga.
An alumnus of Lal Bahadur University, New Delhi, Pt Nikhil holds a Master’s Degree with a specialization in Shukla Yajur Veda. Following his academic journey, he devoted himself as a full-time priest in Punjab, later embarking on a new chapter in July 2023 within the Canadian community. Since September 2023, Pt Nikhil has seamlessly integrated into our community, enriching it with his vast knowledge and cultural expertise.
Beyond his spiritual pursuits, Pt Nikhil exhibits remarkable talent in music, showcasing exceptional self-taught singing skills. His musical prowess underscores his innate ability and passion for the art.
Pt Nikhil Dharmani stands as a symbol of cultural preservation and spiritual dedication, harmoniously combining tradition with a modern global perspective. His journey reflects a commitment to service, learning, and the integration of diverse cultural elements
Pandit ji Harish Pandya
Pandit Ji Haresh is an experienced Hindu Priest with more than 32 years of dedicated service in Vedic rituals, temple worship, spiritual guidance, and community religious programs. His expertise includes Hindu Pujas, Yajnas and Homas, Sanskrit and Vedic chanting, Vaastu Shastra, scripture interpretation, marriage ceremonies, Grah Pravesh, Satyanarayan Katha, Rudrabhishek, Navagraha Puja, Chandipath, and other traditional Hindu ceremonies.
In June 2026, Pandit Ji Haresh joined our mandir, where he continues to serve the community through religious ceremonies, temple worship, and spiritual guidance.
Previously, he served for over two decades as a Senior Hindu Priest at Shree Gupteshwar Mahadev Temple in Vadodara, Gujarat, where he led daily worship, guided devotees, supervised temple activities, and organized major Hindu festivals.
Pandit Ji Haresh holds an Acharya qualification in Sanskrit, Yagnik, and Vedic Studies from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. Throughout his career, he has conducted more than 9,000 religious ceremonies in India and abroad and has also been invited as a spiritual speaker on All India Radio and local religious television channels. In 2018, he was honored with the “Adarsh Pandit Award” by the Mayor of Vadodara.
Fluent in Sanskrit, Hindi, & Gujarati, Pandit Ji Haresh is committed to preserving Hindu traditions and serving our mandir and community with sincerity, devotion, and respect.
Mrs. Radha Persaud, Director
Mrs. Radha Persaud serves as the Director of Youth Programming and is a passionate advocate for empowering the next generation through involvement, participation, teamwork, and leadership. She is dedicated to creating supportive spaces where young people can grow spiritually, explore their cultural roots, build confidence, and take an active role in mandir and community life.
Radha provides oversight across a wide range of youth programs and initiatives, including Bal Vihar, youth group activities, Summer Camp, Outreach, music and dance classes. Her approach is rooted in collaboration and teamwork. Rather than simply leading, she works closely with youth, volunteers, teachers, and families, encouraging young people to share their ideas and helping bring their creative visions to life. Her goal is to ensure that every program is engaging, meaningful, welcoming, and shaped by the voices of the youth themselves.
As a parent of three, Radha is especially inspired by seeing her own children actively involved in mandir life, whether participating in age-appropriate programs and youth groups or stepping forward as youth volunteers. This personal connection strengthens her passion for creating opportunities where all young people can discover their strengths, serve their community, develop leadership skills, and thrive. If you wish to connect with Radha, please email her at (rkmcc_dir5@radhakrishnamandir.ca).
