Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple Explained

Khalsa Diwan Sikh Gurudwara
Native Name:خالسا دیوان سکھّ گرودوارا
ਖਾਲਸਾ ਦੀਵਾਨ ਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰੂਦਵਾਰਾ
卡尔萨迪万锡克古鲁瓦拉
Native Name Lang:Punjabi
Former Names:Sri Guru Singh Sabha
Alternate Names:Sikh Temple Hong Kong
Building Type:Gurdwara
Location:Wan Chai District, Hong Kong
Address:371 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Location Country:China
Est Completion:1901
Completion Date:1901
Opened Date:1901
Inauguration Date:1901
Renovation Date:1930s
1980s
2018-2022
Ren Cost:No rent required
Client:Sikh Community and Sindhi Community in Hong Kong
Owner:Sikh Community and Sindhi Community in Hong Kong
Floor Count:2
Elevator Count:1
Rooms:3
Parking:1

Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple, originally known as Sri Guru Singh Sabha, is a Gurdwara in the Wan Chai District of Hong Kong, on the junction of Queen's Road East and Stubbs Road, Hong Kong Island. It was re-opened on 8 September 2022 by Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu, after a 5 year renovation project.[1]

History

First gurdwara

The gurdwara was built in 1901 by local Sikhs, including soldiers from the British Army, with the intent of providing religious, social, practical and cohesive support to Sikhs in Hong Kong.[2] The temple that was constructed was originally called Sri Guru Singh Sabha.

Many Sikhs on their way to immigrate to Canada, in what later became the Komagata Maru incident, slept in the gurdwara and prayed there before boarding the ship in 1914.[3]

Second gurdwara

In the 1930s, with an increase in the size of the local Sikh community, the gurdwara was extended and rebuilt. It was bombed twice during World War II, suffering extensive damage that killed the gurdwara granthi, Bhai Nand Singh, whilst he was in the main prayer hall reading the Guru Granth Sahib, with the scripture not sustaining any damage in the bombing. During the Second World War, the place of worship was used as a shelter by both Sikhs and non-Sikhs.

Third gurdwara

The damaged parts of the gurdwara were rebuilt after the war by the community, with the assistance of Sindhi Hindus who immigrated to Hong Kong in large numbers due to the Partition. The gurdwara was again extended in the 1980s, and linked to Queen's Road East by a covered bridge, which provides easy access for the devotees.[4]

In 2008, the gurdwara was extended to four-stories.

In 2013, the gurdwara (which was deemed a grade II historic building) was examined by experts and deemed unsafe due to cracks forming. Despite efforts to save the building, it was demolished and plans were made to reconstruct a new building.

Fourth gurdwara

From 2017, the Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple started reconstruction and had reopened in 2022. Spanning 76,000 square feet, the temple features a large prayer hall, a library, several classrooms and conference rooms. The Sikh community in Hong Kong and new-comers could celebrate major festivals and prayers, enjoy free-food, and children are enabled expose to Sikh culture and languages abroad from their home country.[5] The Covid-19 pandemic delayed the rebuilding and increased the costs of the project, with renovation costs swelling from HKD170 million to HKD220 million.

Apart from religious purposes, the temple also serves as free accommodation for new migrants, from India and Pakistan, while its community kitchen, known as langar, provides around 5,000 free meals per week.[6]

See also

External links

22.2745°N 114.178°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Reopen Sikh temple . The Standard . The Standard . 8 November 2022.
  2. Web site: History . 16 June 2024 . Khalsa Diwan Hong Kong.
  3. Web site: Pioneer Sikh East Indian Immigration to the Pacific Coast from the Punjab . Sikh Pioneers . 6 July 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130821124229/http://sikhpioneers.org/s_komaphot.html . 21 August 2013 .
  4. Web site: KHALSA DIWAN (HONG KONG) . Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple . 6 July 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130817075653/http://www.khalsadiwan.com/about.htm . 17 August 2013 .
  5. News: In Pictures: Hong Kong’s only Sikh temple reopens as a place of worship, community and more . 16 November 2023 . Hong Kong Free Press . 12 November 2022.
  6. News: Hong Kong's only Sikh temple reopens its doors . 16 November 2023 . RTHK.