Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple

Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple 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.

History

This Gurdwara functions as its role of providing religious, social, practical and cohesive support to generations of Sikhs in Hong Kong and continue to do so. It is also the center of Sikh community activities. The need for a proper Gurdwara was evident in the early days of Hong Kong and the government allocated land at Happy Valley for building the Gurdwara. Sikh Soldiers of the British Army helped build the Gurdwara in 1901.

In the 1930’s the number of Sikhs kept on increasing the Gurudwara was required to be rebuilt. In the early 1940s during the World War II, the Gurudwara was bombed twice, sustaining extensive damage. The then Gurudwara Granthi (priest), Bhai Nand Singh, was sitting in the main hall reading the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy scripture) when he was fatally injured In one of the attacks. However, the Guru Granth Sahib was not damaged. Many Sikhs and Non-Sikhs had sought refuge in the Gurudwara and some of them sustained injuries. After the war, the damaged areas of the Gurudwara were rebuilt by the Sikhs and the Non-Sikhs.

Again in 1980’s the Gurudwara’s main hall was extended and linked with Queens’ Road East by a covered bridge, which provides easy access for the devotees. This project too, was funded by the Sikh’s and the Non-Sikhs

Role of the Temple in Hong Kong

Since 1841, Sikhs from Punjab have grown with Hong Kong from its infancy as a small fishing port to the present status as a world-class cosmopolitan city. The Gurdwara has co-exited peacefully and harmoniously with the local Chinese community for over a century. Sikhs have participated effectively in the development of Hong Kong and contributed actively to the Hong Kong society. Sikhs were the first constables of the Hong Kong Police Force in 1844. They also served as civil servants, administration officers, officers of the disciplined forces, professionals, security guards, and in other essential services. Khalsa Diwan Hong Kong having witnessed struggles, war, development, political and social changes continues to perform its traditional functions dutifully by contributing to the religious needs and well being of Sikhs in Hong Kong.

External links

* [http://www.khalsadiwan.com Official website]
* [http://www.sikhpioneers.org/s_komaphot.html History of Sikh Community in Hong Kong]