The Sikh Society of Thompson’s temple on Goldeye Crescent will make another milestone April 11 when it hoists the Sikh flag known as the Nishan Sahib on its exterior flagpole for the first time.
“Any Sikh temple should have a flag like this,” said Inderjeet Singh of the Sikh Society of Thompson.
The raising of the triangular Nishan Sahib was originally planned to take place earlier at the temple, which held its first Sunday service back in November 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed those plans.
This Sunday’s celebration will take place between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Thompson residents, Sikh and non-Sikh alike, are invited to observe the celebration while keeping public health order restrictions in mind.
The foundation for the flagpole, which was donated by a Sikh temple in Winnipeg, was built with help from contractors in Thompson working on the construction of the Super 8 hotel.
“It’s efforts by so many,” said Singh.
A granthi (clergyman) from Winnipeg will be in Thompson for the celebration of the flag-raising. There are plans to eventually have a permanent granthi for the temple but the visa application to bring one in from India has also been slowed down by COVID-19.
The flag will make the temple instantly identifiable as a place of worship to any Sikh.
The society also has plans to do more fundraising so that it will own the temple building outright. Money has been raised from donors in B.C. and Ontario since the temple opened and there are plans to try to raise more in Alberta in the near future.
‘We collected a good amount of money towards the building,” said Singh. “We need more support so that we can own this building. Thanks to all the donors for their generous donations from Ontario and B.C.”
