How to Get to the Abandoned Nepalese Hindu Temple in Fanling

Address: Queen's Hill Estate, 88 Lung Ma Rd, Fanling

Chinese Address: 皇后山邨, 山麗苑, 粉嶺 (You can show this to any taxi driver to get to the start point)

Opening Hours: It's abandoned. Visit whenever you like as long as you keep safety in mind.

Tucked away in Queen's Hill (formerly known as Burma Lines), Fanling, lies an abandoned Hindu place of worship with a rich history.

Originally built in the 1960s for the Gurkha soldiers stationed at Queen's Hill Camp, this temple served as their place of worship. The Gurkhas, soldiers from Nepal where Hinduism is the state religion, used this temple to worship several deities including Lord Shiva, the God of Destruction.

Today, the temple stands abandoned, untouched since 1996, a poignant reminder of the Gurkhas' departure. Its architectural allure is undeniable—a lotus-inspired design featuring a hexagonal plan and twelve triangular slabs forming a remarkable three-dimensional tent-like structure. Multiple entrances - five to be exact - adorned with double doors and pointed windows welcome visitors from multiple directions.

The temple's exterior retains its pale green hue, while its interior reveals a vibrant palette of orange and blue. Inside, a raised dais serves as the altar, while a nearby concrete hut adds intrigue with its unknown purpose.

• After taking the 78A bus from Fanling Station, get off at the Shan Lai Court stop
• Walk toward Lei Shan house (one of the large apartment buildings) and turn right after reaching the end of the bike lane
• Follow the path forward until you see a public toilet
• From there, locate the little path beside the disabled toilet door
• head through the fence beyond and turn right after the white sign
• Follow the fence all the way to the temple. Do not take any detours

*This amazing article has photos of the temple before it was abandoned and what the Queen's Hill (Burma Lines) camp looked like back in the day.

As mentioned earlier, the abandoned temple was designed to mimic the shape of a lotus flower with its sharp, pointed petals. In Hinduism, the lotus is a significant flower that is utilized as a metaphor and in art.

Known as the "Padma," it emerges from muddy, swampy waters to blossom into a magnificent and pure flower, signifying the journey that humans must make from the muck of ignorance to the beauty of enlightenment. The lotus is associated with various Hindu deities too, particularly Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, representing divine grace and prosperity. Its unfolding petals also represent the layers of consciousness and the expansion of the soul. Additionally, the lotus is revered as a sacred seat for meditation and is often depicted in Hindu art, architecture, and religious rituals, reminding believers of the inherent divinity within themselves and the potential for spiritual growth.

Since the Hindu Temple was utilized by the fearsome Gurkha warriors of Nepal when serving alongside the British, it makes sense that several of the deities featured in the shrine beside the temple aid in both spiritual peace as well as in battle - according to Hindu belief.

Some of the deities include:

Durga Mata

This female deity is depicted as a fierce and fearless warrior goddess, equipped with various weapons, riding a lion or tiger. Durga Mata is worshipped as the ultimate protector and destroyer of evil forces. She is believed to have multiple arms, each holding a weapon, symbolizing her ability to vanquish demons and restore cosmic order. The Gurkha warriors would possibly have prayed to her for courage in battle.

Kali Ma

Kali Ma, also known simply as Kali, is a fierce and powerful Hindu goddess associated with destruction, transformation, and the annihilation of evil forces. She is depicted with a dark complexion, wild disheveled hair, a garland of skulls around her neck and a protruding tongue. Kali Ma is often portrayed standing on Lord Shiva, symbolizing her dominance over time and death. She is known for her intense and wrathful nature, representing the raw and primal aspects of existence. Kali Ma could have been worshipped by the Gurkhas to seek out liberation and spiritual transformation, as she destroys ignorance, ego and attachments.

Lord Shiva

Lord Shiva is one of the principal deities in Hinduism, known as the destroyer and transformer of the universe. He is often depicted as a yogi with matted hair, a crescent moon on his forehead, a third eye on his forehead and a serpent around his neck. Lord Shiva is associated with various aspects, representing both creation and destruction. He is known for his ascetic lifestyle, deep meditation, and the power to dissolve the universe in order to initiate its rebirth. The Gurkha warriors might have worshipped him for spiritual liberation, wish fulfillment, overcoming negativities, attaining knowledge and creative abilities and inner peace.

Lord Krishna

Lord Krishna is depicted as a charming and playful deity, often portrayed with a flute in his hands and adorned with peacock feathers. Lord Krishna is known for his role in the epic Mahabharata story, where he imparts the sacred teachings of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. He embodies love, compassion, and devotion and his life serves as an inspiration for devotees to lead a righteous and fulfilling existence. Lord Krishna's enchanting leelas (playful and mischievous acts or pastimes performed by Lord Krishna), such as his childhood antics and his divine love for Radha, symbolize the divine play of creation and the eternal relationship between the individual soul and the Supreme Soul. The Gurkhas might have worshipped Lord Krishna to seek his blessings for spiritual enlightenment, divine love, and the path of devotion.

Lord Ganesh

Lord Ganesha, also known as Ganapati or Vinayaka, is one of the most widely worshipped deities in Hinduism. He is revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of wisdom, and the lord of beginnings. Lord Ganesha is depicted with the head of an elephant and a chubby human body, symbolizing intelligence, strength and a gentle nature. He is often portrayed with multiple arms, holding various objects, including a broken tusk, a noose, a goad and a sweet modak (a round Indian sweet that he enjoys eating). Lord Ganesha is worshipped before undertaking any new endeavor or important event, as he is believed to bestow blessings, remove obstacles, and ensure success. This is likely why the Gurkhas would have prayed to him before battle and just in general.

Goddess Parvati

Goddess Parvati, also known as Devi or Shakti, is a revered deity in Hinduism and is the divine consort of Lord Shiva. She is depicted as a benevolent and nurturing goddess, embodying feminine power, beauty, and grace. Goddess Parvati is associated with love, fertility, and marital bliss. She is often portrayed with multiple arms, symbolizing her ability to multitask and fulfill various roles. As the mother of Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya, she represents maternal love and protection. Goddess Parvati is revered for her devotion and unwavering dedication to Lord Shiva, often portrayed as an ideal wife and partner. She is also known for her fierce forms, such as Durga and Kali, where she demonstrates her power to destroy evil forces. Devotees seek the blessings of Goddess Parvati for love, harmony in relationships, fertility, and strength in overcoming challenges.

Retrace your steps back to Fanling MTR Station.

If you want to visit another nearby partially abandoned temple, check out the below article on how to visit the Tai Wo Thai Temple and its abandoned treehouse!