A local memorial site in Abbotsford

The local memorial site I visited in Abbotsford was the historical Gur Sikh Temple. The first Sikh pioneers in Abbotsford started buliding it in 1907 and it was finished and inaugurated in 1911, thus celebrating it's 100th birthday this year. It is the only Sikh temple outside of India that is protected as a historical monument. Other privileges were granted to the temple as well when it became an official historic site acknowledged by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. Usually the plaque installed at Canadian historic sites is according to the bilinguality of the country in English and French. The temple, however, was granted the right to add a third language on the plaque, Punjabi (see picture).

The temple as such had to be restored into its original shape since some buildings had been added over time. The way it looks today is just what it looked like 100 years ago.

This Gurdwara too has two levels, with the Guru Granth Sahib on the upper level and the former Langar Hall on the lower level. The temple is still open for visitors and everyone who is able of reading the scriptures and wishes to do so can come to the temple and read the Guru Granth Sahib.

What is also memorialized on the temple grounds are the first Sikh soldiers who came to Canada on behalf of the coronation celebrations for Edward VII in 1901. There are two Sikh riders outside the temple showing just exactly how the first Sikhs looked like that most Canadians saw.

The statues are wearing the traditional uniform the Sikh soldiers wore when still employed by the British Crown.

The gurdwara has always been a central point for the Sikh community in Abbotsford. Ever since it was built by the members of the community it has been a place to assemble, pray and meet other members of the community. The Nishan Sahib in front of the old gurdwara has its own story and significance for the community as such. It is said that early on when people tried to cross the border from the USA to Canada the Guru in the temple would turn off or on the light on top of the Nishan Sahib. If the light was off it was not safe to cross the border because it was being patrolled, if the light was on then it was safe to cross. Since the gurdwara is on a hill, the light could be seen all the way on the American side of the border.

The gurdwara remains until the day today a major symbol for the Sikh diaspora in Abbotsford. The Gur Sikh Temple which a historic monument today is a landmark telling the history of the Sikhs in Abbotsford and their strong sense of community and the forming of the diaspora that remains alive even today.