Chinese temples are sacred sites for the practice of Chinese folk religion and Chinese Buddhism. Kolkata has a significant population of Indian nationals of Chinese ethnic origin (immigrants and their descendants that emigrated from China starting in the late 18th century to work at the Kolkata port as well as the Chennai port). Unofficial estimates puts the population of Indian nationals of Chinese-origin in Kolkata anywhere from 5,000 to 200,000, most of whom live in or near Tangra.[1][2] The Chinese brought with them their culture. At least eight of the Chinese temples are located in the old Chinatown around Tiretta Bazar in Central Kolkata.[3]
Temples
Though the places of worship are referred to as "churches", they are sites of veneration that adhere to Chinese traditional religion and have nothing to do with Christianity.
- Sea Ip Church (四邑會館)
- Toong On Church (東安會館)
- Choonghee Dong Thien Haue Church
- Gee Hing Church
- Sea Voi Yune Leong Futh Church (會寧會館)
- Nam Soon Church (南順會館)
- Hsuan Tsang Monastery
Gallery
See also
- Chinese folk religion
- Chinese folk religion in Southeast Asia
- List of Mazu temples
- Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong
- Kwan Tai temples in Hong Kong
- Hip Tin temples in Hong Kong
- List of City God Temples in China
References
- ↑ Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh{{#if:Ray|, Ray}. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh(2012)
- ↑ Little China Stays Alive in Eastern India, Biswas, Ranjita. Inter Press Service News Agency. Retrieved 26 September 2006.
- ↑ A walk to unravel the confluence of cultures in Kolkata. The Times of India(17 January 2012). Retrieved 2 April 2013.