RINGING IN NEW YEAR | City's only Chinese temple is all decked up to mark the occasion (RVD)
'Yahan lagao' (put it here), he tells the electrician, asking him to fit the last of the bulbs into decorative lamp shades. Albert Tham (64) has just got done with decking up the city's only Chinese temple ahead of the Chinese New Year that will begin on Monday.
Tham is the caretaker of Mazgaon's Kwan Tai Shek temple, which the city's small Chinese community frequent on New Year's Eve.
A fresh coat of bright red paint, new lanterns, and clothes for the temple idols, stacks of incense sticks, candles and goodies (to give as prasad) just about complete Tham's preparations.
"We are expecting a lot of people. The Chinese community here has dwindled, but there are a few hundred still left. People will come here after dinner on Sunday to ring in the New Year. They will pray and perform rituals. Kwan Kung is a very Dayalu (generous) god. In South East Asia, his photo adorns walls of police stations. Both police and mafia pray to him," Tham says with a smile.
Tham, who stays at Lamington Road, took over the temple affairs from his father, who was born and brought up in Mumbai.
"I have lived here all my life. I'm Chinese but Mumbai is my home, I can't leave it. Many of my siblings have gone aboard, but I stayed on. I can't speak Chinese well, but my Hindi and Marathi are good," Tham says.
Asked if he ever feels like going back to China, he quips, "China has developed a lot. Over the last few years, a lot has changed. Long ago people used to go out of China for jobs, but not anymore. But I like India since I have always lived here. I visit China but I don't want to live there." As per the Chinese zodiac, 2016 marks the year of the monkey.
The temple comes to life every New Year when over 500 Chinese gather to seek blessings. While the upper floor houses the main Kwan Tai Shek temple, Tham has made a temple dedicated to Guan Yin, a female deity revered for mercy, peace and wisdom on the ground floor.
Pointing out to the main statue swathed in silk, Tham says that Kwan Tai, is a warrior deity. At his side stand two lieutenants at attention and scattered at his feet are various other deities. It was in Kwan Tai's honour that Cantonese sailors who worked for the East India Company established the temple in 1919.
Apart from lighting incense sticks and candles, devotees also roll the Chinese fortune sticks before making a wish. Those who can, read the Chinese tarot cards. Tham points out that while many will pray, some will also burn fake currency notes (known as hell money). A brass bell is rung thrice after the prayers.
"I wasn't a very religious person when I was young. But after my father I had to look after the temple. Once I started spending time here, I developed a liking for Kwan Kung. I believe in him now and his powers too. If you do things with love, the end is always good. Xin nian kuai le (happy New Year)," Tham says with a smile offering chocolates.
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