About Hindu Temple

The Temple complex is declared Heritage Building - Grade II by the HKSAR Government.

The Hindu Association, which administers the Temple, is registered under the Societies' Ordinance, and also a registered Charity organisation under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. This registration, under the Inland Revenue Ordinance, enables donors to claim tax deduction on their donation in accordance with the Rules prescribed by the Inland Revenue Ordinance from time to time.

Another important contribution of Mr F T Melwani JP to the Hong Kong Hindu community, through the Association, was the exclusive arrangement, reserving Crematorium at Cape Collinson for Hindus only, he obtained from the erstwhile British administration. This exclusive arrangement is in keeping with the Hindu tradition of cremating within 24 hours and performance of special rites at the time of cremation.

The Hindu Association offers the service to the Hong Kong Hindu community, arranging the Crematorium, completing the formalities that are required to be fulfilled with the relevant HKSAR government departments, and ensures the availability of the Crematorium as early as possible.

Considering the waiting time in Hong Kong for the Crematorium, this special arrangement for the Hindu community is unique.

Mr Lal Hardasani, current President of the Hindu Association has been closely associated with the Temple activities for the last four decades. The Association's affairs are managed by a 15-member Managing Committee, which meets regularly to discuss and decide various matters of the Temple administration.

At the Temple, religious discourses are organised regularly, and the vising scholars address the gathering of devotees on various Hindu philosophical subjects, which are well received.

Educational tours are organized by schools and universities to visit the temple to understand the various aspects of Hindu religion.

On every Sunday at the Temple , after Bhajan Kirtan session, Aarti is performed in the morning, and Langar Parshad (Lunch) is served to devotees. The Langar Parshad is sponsored by devotees. Regular pujas and Aartis are performed every day in the morning and evening.

On Mondays, after Bhajan session, special Aarti is performed in the evening and Parshad is distributed to devotees. In addition, regular Pujas are conducted on Poornima and Ekadasi days every month.

The Temple priest conducts Hindu religious ceremonies, whenever such services are requested by the Hindu community members. At the Temple, various ceremonies like marriage, namkaran and others are performed in accordance with the Hindu customs.

HISTORY

When the British occupied Hong Kong in 1841, they brought along Indian soldiers, who were the first South Asians to arrive here. Indians continued to serve in the military and police force, while others were lured to Hong Kong by opportunities to trade with China in cotton, silk and opium. The earliest traders were Parsees and Bohra Muslims, followed by Sindhis and Gujaratis beginning in the 1920s and ‘30s.

As the community grew, in 1928, the government allotted land to the Hindus, initially for burials and then amended to allow for the construction of a temple.(The cemetery has only a few internments as Hindus prefer to cremate the dead.)

The Temple’s foundation stone was laid on 15 February 1953, and Hindusmade donations to cover the building costs of about HK$120,000. Seven months later,the opening was celebrated with Bhajans followed by Aarti and the sounding of gongs and bells.

“The completion of this temple is the fulfillment of an old dream. We have been discussing it for 27 years and now at last we stand here, in this gracious hall, in the presence of the religious spirit of our forefathers,” said FT Melwani, President of the Hindu Association, at the opening on 13 September 1953.

It was apt timing as the 1950s saw another influx of Indian immigrants to Hong Kong, particularly Sindhis. The partition of India after World War II was a catastrophe for Sindh province, which was allocated to the new Muslim state of Pakistan even though the majority of Sindhis are Hindus. Many Sindhis fled to trading hubs across the globe.

“Trading is in our blood,” says Lal Hardasani, President of the Hindu Association, describing how Sindhi traders acted as middlemen for local factories and often completed the English paperwork for them and their buyers. “We are part of Hong Kong’s growth, and it has become our home now.”

Today, The Hindu Temple in Happy Valley remains the largest of its kind in Hong Kong and serves as a thriving religious, cultural and social center for about 120,000 Hindus, hailing from across India, Nepal and the Indonesian island of Bali.

DESIGN

The Temple faces northeast, overlooking the race course at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and occupies a steep slope next to Hong Kong Sanatorium. It’s close to Hong Kong’s Sikh Temple (established in 1901 at 371 Queen's Road) where Hindus previously worshipped.

Built in an Indian architectural style, with some Western influences, it is three stories high and divided into six bays separated by columns. The columns of the upper storey have decorative bases and capitals; the roof has a dome in typical Hindu temple fashion.Fung Tsun was the architect and employed general contractors from Wing Hing Construction Co.

Within the complex, there is a spacious internal courtyard in front of the main worship hall. The Temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Laxmi Narayan, whosestatue is in the centre of the worship hall alongside Vishnu. To their right are Shiva and Parvati and to the left, Jhulelal, a deity revered by Sindhis. There are also living quarters for the priest.

LEADERSHIP

The Hindu Association, which administers the Temple, was established in 1949. It is registered THA_registration Certificate under the Societies' Ordinance and as a charity organization under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. As a result, donors are able to claim a tax deduction on their donation in accordance with the rules prescribed by the Inland Revenue Ordinance.

Lal Hardasani, President of the Hindu Association, has been closely associated with the Temple’s activities for the last four decades. A 15-member Managing Committee meets regularly to discuss and decide various matters of the Temple administration.

Read a message from the President
Learn about the Managing Committee members

COMMUNITY LIFE

Deepak Sharma, the current Temple priest, performs all Hindu religious ceremonies requested by community members, including marriages, engagements, namkaran, mundane, and janya(Thread Ceremony) ceremonies. Sharma hails from a family of priests and joined the Temple in Hong Kong after serving as a priest in Lucknow, India, and receiving a bachelor’s degree.

On Sundays, after Bhajan Kirtan session, Aarti is performed in the morning, and Langar Parshad (a five-course vegetarian lunch) is served to devotees, thanks to community contributions.

On Mondays, after Bhajan session, a special Aarti is performed in the evening and Parshad is distributed to devotees.

Regular Poojas and Aartis are performed daily in the morning and evening.In addition, regular Poojas are conducted on Poornima and Ekadasi days every month. Services are in Hindi, with some English used.

The Temple hosts religious discourses during which visiting scholars address devotees on Hindu philosophical subjects. Schools and universities can organise educational tours to visit the Temple for insights into Hinduism– not only as a religion but as a way of life.Individuals of all faiths are welcome to visit during opening hours (9am to 1pm and 4pm to 8pm daily).

Diwali, Shivrati, Chetichand, Holi and Janmashti are among the 1o major Hindu festivals observed. These are especially popular times to visit The Temple,attracting about 600 to 800 celebrants.

The late FT Melwani, founder of the Hindu Association, coordinated with the former British administration to reserve the Crematorium at Cape Collinson for Hindus only. The Hindu Association helps facilitate the cremation requirements of the HKSAR government and ensures the availability of the Crematorium as promptly as possible.

The late FT Melwani, founder of the Hindu Association, coordinated with the former British administration to reserve the Crematorium at Cape Collinson for Hindus only. The Hindu Association helps facilitate the cremation requirements of the HKSAR government and ensures the availability of the Crematorium as promptly as possible.

FUTURE PLANS

As The Temple approaches its 70th anniversary, the heritage building is in need of some repairs and enhancements. The Hindu Association is pursuing the goals of installing a lift for easier access and renovating the facilities to expand capacity (at an estimated cost of HK$30million).