Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, Tangra, Kolkata

Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple

New Chinatown (Tangra), Kolkata

Also see: My blog post on Calcutta (Kolkata) Chinatown and Buddhist Temple of Kolkata (Calcutta)

Tangra, Kolkata’s (Calcuta’s) new Chinatown, is known for its Chinese restaurants but it also houses the Fo Guang Shan Budhist Monastery, a Chinese Temple which doubles up as a Chienese eatery. during weekends.

Giant Buddha Statue, at the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, Tangra (New Chinatown), Kolkata

Although the Chinese have made Kolkata (Calcutta) their home since the late 18th century, the Chinese settlement in Tangra only dates back to the 1920s.

Entrance of Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple

This is Kolkata’s (Calcuta’s) New Chinatown, while the old Chinatown is located in Tiretta Bazar, at the very heart of the city.

The temple was founded in 1998 by Buddha Light International, a Taiwan based organization.

It is located on 8, New Tangra Road and reach it is best to head past the Big Boss Restaurant (on the right) past the Sing Cheung Sauce Factory (also on right but don’t take the right turn) leading to the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple on the right.

The entrance is marked with statues of lion and leads to a open courtyard like space, leading on to the main hall housing a colossal statue of Buddha.

Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple

The best part of the temple is its atmosphere of inclusion and people of all religions are welcome in this oasis of peace.

Lobby of Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, Tangra

Bhikkuni Miao Ru, a Taiwanese Buddhist nun, who is in charge of the temple, welcomes each visitors personally.

The prayer hall contains a giant Buddha statue with a Bon Swastika (Inverted Swastka) on the chest.

The golden statue with a golden glow creates a mesmerizing effect. There are several paintings and wall hanging on the walls of the prayer hall.

The first floor contains a library with large collection of religious texts, Chinese Calligraphy classes can be organised on request and they come free of cost. Bhikkuni Miao Ru, insists that calligraphy is like meditation as one needs to focus on the design of the character and needs a lot of practice.

Painting at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, Tangra, New Chinatown, Kolkata

But the greatest attraction of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple is the food, it serves. Strangely this Buddhist Temple doubles up as a eatery.

Calligraphy at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple

The eatery is open from 11am to 6pm on weekdays only and serves vegetarian cuisines from China, Taiwan and Indonesia.

There is no fixed menu and the ladies from the local Chinatown household cook for the temple eatery.

Its a strict vegetable affair and only snacks are served. Fried wantons, crispy chilli baby corns and steamed veg baos are the must have items.

The food can be gulped down with a variety of green teas of different flavours, but Zhen Zhu Nai Cha (Bubble Milk Tea) should not be missed.

Thus Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, in Tangra (New Chinatown) offers a unique mix of spiritual and gastronomic experience.