Explore the grandeur of Hong Kong’s Hindu Temple at Happy Valley and learn how it can enhance your spiritual and social goals. Gain insider updates and insights from Lal Ji and Deepak Maharaj Ji, as they share unknown facts and ways to contribute to the vibrant community. Get ready to be inspired by this divine landscape. In this article, we bring to you the splendor and insider updates on one of Hong Kong’s most celebrated religious, historical and cultural centers– The Hindu Temple at Happy Valley and the ways you can get involved while experiencing and contributing to the divine landscape and the vibrant community. A-Desiflava exclusively brings you the talk right from the heart of [PC: Temple Gallery; The main lobby consisting of the Hindu God idols in the Temple] the two pillars of the temple– Lal Ji and the temple’s priest Deepak Maharaj Ji where they discuss recent updates, unknown facts and how the Temple can support your spiritual and social goals, while empowering your lives. Read on to get inspired–
What is the story behind the Hindu Temple?
In the bustling city of Hong Kong, a Hindu Temple stands as a beacon of spirituality and community. Located proudly at Happy Valley in Wanchai, was a gift to the HK Hindu community and beyond by The Hindu Association, who established the holy premises on 15 February 1953 after twentyseven years of extensive planning and hardwork. The construction of the temple was encouraged by the already strong presence of Hindu community in HK and the cascade of flow of Indian immigrants into Hong Kong post the Indian subcontinent partition era, including a lot of traders who found opportunity in trades of cotton, silk and opium. The temple was welcomed with great fervor, gratitude and warm reception by the Hindu community then and till date continues to thrive and serve as an important social, cultural and religious landmark for not only Hindu devotees, but also to the wider demographic who seeks to attain a better understanding of Hinduism and contribute to our society in meaningful ways. It’s one of the largest of its kind in Hong Kong. The present significance, influence and devotion to the temple is an ode and testament of the dedication of our community towards our values, heritage, roots, customs, traditions and most importantly, our strength as a religious institution.
[ PC: Temple Association; Gathering of people during the Puja Celebrations]
Who is responsible for the stewardship behind this majestic Temple?
Over the past four decades, Lal Hardasani, President of the Hindu Association, has been an integral part of this sacred place, serving as the Trustee of the Temple and overseeing its activities meticulously with unwavering dedication. Together with a 15-member Managing Committee, they convene regularly to discuss the administration of the Temple. In a heartfelt message, President Lal Hardasani has assured all devotees that their needs will always be met, emphasizing that their suggestions and ideas are not only welcome but also encouraged–”we are always there to serve you and help you when you need us the most”. He’s one of the first visionaries to take initiative with respect to transformations and pioneering needed changes in the temple under his tenure of Presidentship. His call to actions and dedication has inspired plentiful support from the community. He is a firm believer of “Kaam hai toh naam hai”, a.ka actions back up your words and hence your reputation. With a commitment to ongoing improvement and a vision of serving the community even better in the years to come, the leaders stand ready to provide a place of solace for all who seek it.
We’d also like you all to meet ‘Maharaj’ Deepak Sharma, the esteemed priest who undertakes the sacred duties bestowed upon him by the devoted community. Within the sacred confines of the Hindu Temple in Hong Kong, a revered figure stands as a guiding light, leading the faithful through the intricate tapestry of religious ceremonies and rituals. Hailing from a lineage of revered priests, Deepak’s journey of family priesthood led him from the ancient city of Lucknow, India to work in Dubai to finally Hong Kong, where he now serves as the spiritual custodian of the Temple. Endowed with a degree of Bachelor of Commerce, and a wealth of professional experience, his expertise in Hindu traditions is unparalleled. With grace and devotion, he seamlessly conducts an array of religious ceremonies, from joyous occasions like marriages and engagements, to the significant milestones of namkaran, mundan, and janya (Thread Ceremony) ceremonies. Deepak shares, “Despite being new to the unfamiliar realms of HK, my sense of curiosity and continuous learning drive led me and my wife, Neha to seamlessly integrate into the temple’s environment and worshiping duties.” Maharaj’s presence infuses each ritual with a sense of profound reverence and solemnity, and for all of us looking to embrace our traditions, we find a guiding hand and enlightenment in Deepak ji and his devotion.
The duo also shared with DesiFlava their mantra to success –“To be successful in life, you need 4 things–Vision, devotion, hardwork and grace of God which will come via your efforts in fostering your connection with him.”
Under the committee, The Temple has managed to maintain a commendable transparency, with a clear record of accounting, ledgers, receipts, donations and financial reports in the Treasury. The accounts are circulated to all the members of the committee during the Annual General Meeting.
What are the activities in the temple and how can you get involved?
Under their diligent guidance of the leadership team, the Hindu Temple has flourished into a vibrant hub. There is a special Sunday ‘bhajan’ session every week, from 11:30-1:00 pm, attracting a massive gathering and fostering a sense of unity and togetherness among the Hindu community. After the Bhajan Kirtan session, ‘aarti’ is performed in the morning and ‘Langar Prasad’ which is an impressive five-course vegetarian lunch is served to devotees funded by community contributions. Mondays witness a special ‘aarti’ during the evenings followed by ‘prasad’ distribution to the worshippers. It is also known as ‘Abishek’ symbolizing Lord Shiva’s togetherness with us each passing week. The temple makes special arrangements for pooja items like garlands to be specially sourced from Singapore and India–a dedicated group of devotees brings handmade materials and food to join in the celebration. 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 also observes and celebrates all the major Hindu festivals with great enthusiasm, pomp and show, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and religious traditions of the Hindu community. One of the prominent festivals celebrated is Deepavali, also known as Diwali, which is a vibrant festival of lights. It is observed over the course of three days and involves lighting earthen oil lamps, fireworks, and the exchange of sweets. Another significant festival is Hanuman Jayanti, which commemorates the birth of Lord Hanuman. Devotees fast, recite prayers, and engage in the chanting of sacred mantras.
Holi, the festival of colors, is another joyous occasion celebrated with utmost joy. Participants play with colored water and powder, sing special Holi songs, and engage in bonfires to symbolize the triumph of good over evil. Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, is marked by fasting, devotional singing, and recitation of sacred hymns. Navaratri, meaning “nine nights,” honors the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga. Devotees observe fasting, offer prayers, and participate in cultural programs and traditional dances.
The Temple also celebrates Karwa Chauth, Radha Ashtami, Rakshabandhan, Shivratri, RamNavmi and Dussehra among the many other important Hindu festivals. These festivals bring the Hindu community together, fostering a sense of unity and devotion. These are especially popular times to visit The Temple, attracting about 600 to 800 celebrants.
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.
What’s new?
Renovation of the Temple:
The temple is a declared Heritage Building – Grade II by the HKSAR Government. The Old Building To cater to the need of evergrowing expansion of our Hindu community as well as to address the needs of accessibility and adequate spacing, the Hindu Temple has undergone rigorous renovation over the last few years, spearheaded by its community members and has emerged to be a victorious and bigger backdrop for Hindu devotion, yoga, meditation, spiritual lectures and marriage ceremonies. Completed wellahead of its 70th anniversary, the repairs and enhancements in the renovation include new carpeting,tiling, flooring, waterproofing, air-condition configurations, re- painting of the idols, installment of a TV in the temple’s Mohan Hall to facilitate spectators’ viewing on special crowded events. The decoration and marble pieces were especially imported from India for the works. Several functional areas like office, conference room, storerooms, kitchens, additional halls were expanded and developed. The temple has therefore significantly expanded in capacity and all the works have cost approx 30 million Hong Kong Dollars.
Digitization efforts by the Temple:
Deepak Maharaj Ji shared, “ The Hindu temple has made remarkable strides in embracing digitization and leveraging technology to enhance community engagement. By replacing traditional pamphlets with interactive flyers, we’ve reduced paper waste while providing a more immersive experience.” Their consistent presence on social media platforms, including a dedicated Facebook page, the introduction of WhatsApp broadcasts has allowed them to reach a wider audience and disseminate important information and engage in real-time conversations. Through these efforts, the temple has successfully created a more dynamic and accessible spiritual hub. The temple continually invites and gracefully accepts generous donations throughout the year, with the latest Octopus machine installation making it easier for devotees to contribute.
First-time initiations and accomplishments:
Given the growth driven mindset of the Temple’s leadership team, there’s an array of new spheres, avenues and accomplishments that is entered by the Temple very frequently, and we bring to you the most notable ones in the recent times:
1) Immersive act on Ravan Dahn: The temple seeks to offer more memorable experiences, and choreographed a drama dance act for the first time in a short notice during Dussehra. The Ravan/demon was also created from scratch in-house rather than extensively outsourcing it. It received widespread positive critical acclaim from the audience, encouraging the administration to plan future productions like Ramleela. Participation is encouraged via responses in broadcast channels.
2) Establishment of Ganpati ji with God’s grace for the first time, which was usually otherwise done by the Maharashtra Mandal.
3) Remembrance Day: The slope behind the Temple embodies the graves of the valiant Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during the First World War assisting Britain’s army. In an endeavor to honor their legacy, the Temple has been observing a special Remembrance for the brave at 11 am every 11th November since the last three years. The service is carried with full customs, traditions and salutes in presence of esteemed guests and VIPs. It has been noticed and lauded by the Defense Ministry of India who has committed to providing unwavering support to the mission. This initiative takes the Temple a long way into standing with the Indian community with an unflinching love and solidarity.
Future Goals and Upcoming Activities of the Temple:
The local Hindu temple aims to make the most of its ample land on the slope behind by transforming the slope into a green space for growing flowers, fruits, and vegetables, in line with ecofriendly practices and the ‘Go Green’ mission strongly advocated by the Temple.. It plans to strengthen as a cultural center, collaborating with the Consulate General of India and local Indian affiliations to organize yoga, meditation and Ayurveda camps in the Temple. While the installation of a lift or escalator is delayed due to legal and structural-feasibility concerns, temporary lift chairs have been swiftly ordered from the U.K to address accessibility concerns.. These initiatives reflect the temple’s commitment to community enrichment and sustainability.
How can we contribute or get involved?
There are a plethora of ways to get associated with this wonderful mission and community. Schools and universities often organize educational tours to visit the Temple for insights into Hinduism– not only as a religion but as a way of life. They consist of students across all walks of lives, nationalities, and religions– who are simply curious and want to seek knowledge. You can also serve as a volunteer, the application form for which can be obtained on their official website. Individuals of all faiths are welcome to visit during opening hours (9am to 1pm and 4pm to 8pm daily). Family events such as birthdays, weddings , anniversaries, prayers etc. can be held at the Temple after prior registration with detailed information about the activities planned and permission granted by the Management. Visits to the Temple during the festival Poojas described earlier evoke a deep sense of belonging, contentment and reinvigoration.
We also discussed with Mr. Lal on the dwindling spirituality amongst the young generation and how to bolster their beliefs and endeavors. Mr. Lal pointed out as to how the parents should take an active role in cultivating a sense of belonging among children and encourage the habit of visiting temples so the children can continue the tradition and legacy. He also shared the active collaboration of the Temple with local HK universities, attracting large masses of students towards the cultural and festival special events. The Indian students often also bring their international friends, which further boosts the inclusivity and diversity of the temple. The appointment of the priest, Deepak Ji, who is himself quite young, has been an instrumental force in gravitating the younger generations via his usage of latest channels and techniques for communication and propagation,for eg, social media.
It’s a great place to get involved, embrace your spirituality and honor your culture. Incase of any other queries or additional information needed, the temple always loves hearing from you. You are highly encouraged to join the Temple’s powerful community via Whatsapp broadcast channels, follow its Facebook page, or by contacting Maharaj Deepak Sharma – Mob – 852 -5624 2399 for finding current requirements of the Temple and help accordingly. God bless!
