Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple

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. 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. File:Original Sri Guru Singh Sabha gurdwara in Hong Kong, ca.1901–1930's.jpg|Original Sri Guru Singh Sabha gurdwara in Hong Kong File:Sri Guru Singh Sabha gurdwara in Hong Kong, ca.1907 (postcard).jpg|Sri Guru Singh Sabha gurdwara in Hong Kong, ca.1907 (postcard)

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. File:Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple gurdwara in Hong Kong, ca.1935.jpg|Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple gurdwara in Hong Kong, ca.1935 File:Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple gurdwara in Hong Kong, ca.1930's–1945.jpg File:Sikh congregation at the original Sri Guru Singh Sabha gurdwara in Hong Kong, 1935.jpg|Sikh congregation at the original Sri Guru Singh Sabha gurdwara in Hong Kong, 1935

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.

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

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.

References

References

1. "Reopen Sikh temple". The Standard.
2. "History".
3. "Pioneer Sikh East Indian Immigration to the Pacific Coast from the Punjab". Sikh Pioneers.
4. "KHALSA DIWAN (HONG KONG)". Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple.
5. (12 November 2022). "In Pictures: Hong Kong’s only Sikh temple reopens as a place of worship, community and more".
6. "Hong Kong's only Sikh temple reopens its doors".