CHIGWELL: Sikh community to gather at local college to mourn loss of temple gutted in fire
2:27pm Saturday 21st March 2009 in News By James Colasanti
THE Sikh community will gather in Chigwell tomorrow (Sunday, March 22) to mourn the loss of one of London’s most important temples which was partially destroyed in a suspected arson attack.
Worshippers will congregate at midday at the Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, on Roding Lane, to perform religious rites for the damage done to the Gurdwara Sikh Sangat, in Bow.
It housed priceless religious books which were destroyed in the fire, and a criminal investigation has been launched by police and fire investigators who are treating the blaze as suspicious.
Most of the building’s roof collapsed as more than 50 fire-fighters battled the fire for almost eight hours on Monday afternoon (March 16).
United Sikhs director Harsharen Kaur said: “Great are the fire-fighters who put out the fire, and risked their lives to recover our guruji's saroops.
“May everyone's prayers, presence and seva be parvaan (accepted), and may we continue to come together in ekta, with nimrata an pyaar (unity, humility and love), hopefully in less tragic circumstances."
The temple opened in 1979 and has been a vital part of the Sikh community. It dates back to 1854 and was formerly a synagogue and before that a chapel.
Claridger says...
11:26am Sun 22 Mar 09
As the population make up changed in the area and the demand altered the reigns were handed over to the Sikh Community who had carried out an enormous amount of work to restore the building and this is a tragedy. I urge those in authority to make funds available for any required restoration works.