Jump to content

Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple

Coordinates: 22°16′28″N 114°10′41″E / 22.274503°N 114.177987°E / 22.274503; 114.177987
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Khalsa Diwan Sikh Gurudwara
خالسا دیوان سکھّ گرودوارا
ਖਾਲਸਾ ਦੀਵਾਨ ਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰੂਦਵਾਰਾ
香港錫克教廟
Map
Former namesSri Guru Singh Sabha
Alternative namesSikh Temple Hong Kong
General information
TypeGurdwara
LocationWan Chai District, Hong Kong
Address371 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
CountryChina
Estimated completion1901
Opened1901
Inaugurated1901
Renovated1930s
1980s
2018-2022
CostHK$170,000,000
Renovation costNo rent required
ClientSikh Community and Sindhi Community in Hong Kong
OwnerSikh Community and Sindhi Community in Hong Kong
Technical details
Floor count2
Lifts/elevators1
Other information
Number of rooms3
Parking1
Website
Official website
Hong Kong Sikh temple
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese香港錫克廟
Simplified Chinese香港锡克庙
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinXiānggǎng Xīkè Miào
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationHēung góng sek hāk miuh
JyutpingHoeng1 gong2 sek3 hak1 miu6
Wanchai Sikh temple
Traditional Chinese灣仔錫克廟
Simplified Chinese湾仔锡克庙
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWān Zǎi Xīkè Miào
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationWāan jái sek hāk miuh
JyutpingWaan1 zai2 sek3 hak1 miu6
Punjabi name
Punjabiਖਾਲਸੇ ਦੀਵਾਨ ਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰੂਦਵਾਰਾ

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.[1] It was re-opened on 8 September 2022 by Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu, after a 5 year renovation project.[2]

History

[edit]

First gurdwara

[edit]

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.[1] The temple that was constructed was originally called Sri Guru Singh Sabha.[1]

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

[edit]

In the 1930s, with an increase in the size of the local Sikh community, the gurdwara was extended and rebuilt.[1] 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.[1] During the Second World War, the place of worship was used as a shelter by both Sikhs and non-Sikhs.[1]

Third gurdwara

[edit]

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.[1]

In 2013, the gurdwara (which was deemed a grade II historic building) was examined by experts and deemed unsafe due to cracks forming.[1] Despite efforts to save the building, it was demolished and plans were made to reconstruct a new building.[1]

Fourth gurdwara

[edit]
The Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple; Right: Sign showing the way to Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple

From 2017, the Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple started reconstruction and had reopened in 2022.[1] 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.[1]

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

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "History". Khalsa Diwan Hong Kong. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Reopen Sikh temple". The Standard. The Standard. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Pioneer Sikh East Indian Immigration to the Pacific Coast from the Punjab". Sikh Pioneers. Archived from the original on 21 August 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  4. ^ "KHALSA DIWAN (HONG KONG)". Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple. Archived from the original on 17 August 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  5. ^ "In Pictures: Hong Kong's only Sikh temple reopens as a place of worship, community and more". Hong Kong Free Press. 12 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  6. ^ "Hong Kong's only Sikh temple reopens its doors". RTHK. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
[edit]

22°16′28″N 114°10′41″E / 22.274503°N 114.177987°E / 22.274503; 114.177987