A-Desiflava brings us to one of the most worshiped and religious places in Hong Kong, the Kowloon Hindu Temple. Bhavika Darode interviews Vanita Sharma, the calm and peaceful lady who has been in charge of the temple since 2011.
[Q] Could you tell us when the Mandir was established and what was the inspiration behind it?
The Mandir was established in 1960 by the late Maharaj Hari Ram Sharma, who served as the motivation and inspiration behind the establishment of the Hindu temple. With idols of Mata Durga, Lord Shiv and Mata Parvati, Lord Laxminarayan, and Lord Jhulelal Ji, Maharaj Hari Ram Sharma began his seva towards the temple and the Hindu community of Hong Kong. The temple was once his home before being turned into a private temple space.
[Q] Who was Late Maharaj Hari Ram Sharma and who took up the responsibilities of the temple in his absence?
He was the father-in-law of my sister-in-law (Nanad). He lived with his family, educated his children, and also ran a private temple in the same home while serving our community.
As the years passed, his health started deteriorating and his only last wish was to have his private temple cum home converted into a more spacious and sacred space for the devotees. It was then that the late Maharaj Sunil Sharma who was my brother-in-law (Devar) had come to pay a visit to his sister and the late Maharaj Hari Ram (his sister’s father-in-law) in Hong Kong for a short period, mainly to check on his health.
Unfortunately, Late Maharaj Hari Ram passed away whilst Late Maharaj Sunil was here in Hong Kong in 1992.
Late Maharaj Hari Ram had always thought of expanding the temple space which led to the forming of a trust. In his absence, the late Dada George Harilela became the trustee. He helped in purchasing an adjacent property for the temple’s expansion. They then needed a capable Maharaj to manage the temple’s duties, so they requested the late Maharaj Sunil Sharma to take over Pandit’s duties and assist in the transformation of the home into a beautiful temple. With sheer determination and will, the late Maharaj Sunil agreed to this opportunity and transformed the residence into a temple with the support of the Harilela family, who stepped forward and donated generously to this cause.
Late Jack Samtani, one of the trustees, stepped in along with Late Sunil Maharaj, bought new idols, and also contributed to strengthening the relations with the committee. He also contributed to extensive renovations that were required to convert the home into a temple.
Photo taken in 1993
[Q] How long have you been taking care of this temple?
I started caring for this temple only in 2011. The late Maharaj Sunil Sharma was in charge singlehandedly since 1992. Later in the year 2002, my husband late Maharaj Gresh Sharma joined his brother late Maharaj Sunil Sharma in Hong Kong to serve the temple and the community in Hong Kong. They both worked together to bring people and Sevadharis together in order to form a family.
Unfortunately, my brother-in-law (devar), Late Maharaj Sunil Sharma, passed in 2007, and my husband, Late Maharaj Gresh Sharma, took over the daily operations of this temple thereon. Another tragic loss occurred, and my husband, Late Maharaj Gresh Sharma left us for the heavenly abode in 2011.
With a heavy heart and a mountain of responsibilities ahead of me, I began caring for this temple along with my nephews Maharaj Pankaj Sharma and Maharaj Hitesh Bhardwaj in 2011. They are the main Pandits of this temple. I would not have made it this far without their love, care, and assistance.
[Q] Could you please name the Board of Trustees of the temple?
- The Board of Trustees includes:
- Notan Tolani – Hon President
- Nanu Lachman – Hon Secretary
- Larry Parmanand – Hon Treasurer
- Bob Harilela Ph.D., JP – Hon Members
- David Harilela – Hon Members
- Late Mira Mahtani – Hon Members
- Sanjay Mahtani – Hon Members
- Mannu ji – Hon Members
They give timely visits to the temple and cooperate with us on important topics or issues. They take note of our problems and give solutions.
[Q] What type of puja services are offered by the temple to the Hong Kong Hindu community?
We do offer puja services through two of our Pandits. We have Maharaj Pankaj Sharma & Maharaj Hitesh Bhardwaj who perform a variety of pujas. They are extremely knowledgeable and qualified in pujas such as Name Ceremony, Satyanarayan Puja, Death Sanskar, Puja Paath, Katha, Graha Shanti, and Kundali analysis. I used to look into all of this, but now the younger generation is in charge of everything.
[Q] Could you please tell me more about Hindu Pandits in Hong Kong?
We also have additional Pandits, such as Pandit Deepak Maharaj ji in Hindu Temple in Happy Valley. He is a really good Pandit Ji who has been there for 5 to 6 years. There had been many before him. At the moment, there is another temple, Vaishali Mata Mandir, where we have Pandit Vishal Maharaj ji, who is also good and performing well. In Tung Chung, there is a Pandit Manish Maharaj ji who has built a temple in his own home. There is also Pandit Ishwar Maharaj ji. He is not affiliated with any temple, although he does a lot of pujas and other things.
There are numerous Brahmins by birth, but the ones who perform rites and Puja Paath, Yagya, and all are known as Karma Kandi Brahmins, whose names are stated above.
[Q] How has the growth and the well-being of the temple and its followers been since Hong Kong reopened after Covid?
Actually, we received a terrific response even during the Covid period; it was very crowded at the time, but we were still able to handle the increase. Even when there were many restrictions, we were able to hold several festivals. We have always had a good response; it’s just that it is vacation time for many Indians, so there’s a little less of a crowd.
[Q] We have many Indian festivals coming up, how do you plan to celebrate?
We plan to celebrate all upcoming festivals like Saavan, Guru Purnima, Adhik Maas, Janmashtami, Ganpati, Raksha Bandhan, and Navratri. We do it with full heart and soul, and in full form. We have Mata Ki Chowki every Tuesday and we have never missed a single Tuesday until now. The Jyot ignited by Sunil Maharaji in 1992 has been kept alive ever since. We exclusively prepare Prasad in our temple. Devotees contribute to the Langar Prasad. We have never been short of support from our beloved followers. Any devotee who wishes to participate in Langar Prasad may make a monetary donation, and we will assist in the preparation of the Prasad.
[Q] Could you please highlight the support this temple offers to charity organizations in India & Hong Kong and which are those?
We ourselves are a charitable trust that is funded by donations pledged by devotees, so we do not contribute to any other charitable organizations as of now. We do contribute to activities like Prasad distribution; if people are unable to contribute, we do so on their behalf. If there is an event or we want to do certain festivals, the trustees assist us with all requirements as well as government sponsorships.
[Q] What are some of the issues faced by the temple from devotees, and what message would you like to give to all the devotees to have everything run smoothly?
I only have one piece of advice for devotees: be patient when there is a crowd. Try to comprehend us and our point of view while keeping in mind that we must manage the Puja, timings, and everything else at the same time. The general public must understand our position and the timetables we must adhere to in order to keep the temple running smoothly on a daily basis.
For example, We visit so many temples in India on a high level, such as Kedarnath and Badrinath, yet we are not even permitted to stand in front of the idols and pray for a minute. And here we are being taunted, our Pandits are being scolded.”Shiv Abhishek is on, why have you stopped the milk offering?” said one devotee. We are questioned, and we are unable to respond to everything because we must manage time. Such remarks are quite damaging. This is especially common during the big pujas done in the mandir by the Pandits on specific days.
So, with folded hands, my only request to our beloved devotees is to “Be Patient”.
Thank you to Gaurav & Neha for such a wonderful opportunity to connect with our devotees and followers.
Jai Mata Di
-Vanita Gresh Sharma
Temple Administrator
Kowloon Hindu Temple
Carnavon Mansion,
Carnavon Road, Tsim Sha Tsui,
Kowloon.
