The Paldi Sikh Temple ( ਪਾਲਦੀ ਸਿੱਖ ਟੈਪਲ ) is a historic Gurdwara and heritage site in Paldi, British Columbia. The Paldi Gurdwara was designated a Historic Site by the Cowichan Valley Regional District in 2014. the government of British Columbia also designated the the temple as a site of cultural importance in 2016.
The town of Paldi was founded in 1917 by lumber entrepreneur Mayo Singh, a Sikh man who had immigrated from Paldi, Punjab, from which the mill town gets its name. Paldi is considered to be one of Canada’s first inclusive multi-ethnic communities.
Although Paldi is no longer an active community, the Gurdwara, first built by Singh in 1919, is still in use both as a place of worship and as a museum, where visitors can learn more about the history and legacy of the town. The historic Gurdwara is a designated heritage site by both the Cowichan Valley Regional District and by the government of British Columbia.
Sources/Further Reading
Bains, Satwinder. “Paldi.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published March 31, 2023; Last Edited March 31, 2023.
