Chinese temples are associations (會館) and sites of worship ofChinese folk religion andChinese Buddhism for the Chinese community in Kolkata.Kolkata has a significant population of Indian nationals ofChinese ethnic origin (immigrants and their descendants that emigrated from China starting in the late 18th century to work at theKolkata port as well as theChennai port). Unofficial estimates puts the population of Indian nationals of Chinese-origin in Kolkata anywhere from 5,000 to 200,000, most of whom live in or nearTangra.[1][2] The Chinese brought with them their culture. At least eight of the Chinese temples are located in the old Chinatown around Tiretta Bazar in Central Kolkata.[3]
Though the places of worship are referred to as "churches", they are sites of veneration that adhere toChinese traditional religion and have nothing to do with Christianity.
Though most of the local Chinese are Christians, they celebrate the traditional Chinese New Year with gusto and many who emigrated from Kolkata make it a point to return at this time.
