Gurdwaras in Pakistan

Gurdwaras Associated with Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji

As Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent a considerable part of his life in western Punjab which now lies in Pakistan, this part of the world has a large number of religious places to commemorate his memories. These Gurdwaras include Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Bal Leela Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Patti Sahib Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Kirara Sahib Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Mata Ji Sahib Nankana Sahib, and Gurdwara Tambu Sahib in Nankana Sahib. Some other Gurdwaras associated with the life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, which fall now in Pakistan include Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Choorhkhana, Gurdwara Rorhi Sahib, Emanabad, Gurdwara Bhai Lalo di Khoohi Emanabad, Guru Nanak Garh Badami Bagh, Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi Manak Lahore, Gurdwara Pehli Patshai Bhilgran Kasur, and Gurdwara at Kartarpur Sahib where Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent last 18 years of his life. It may be mentioned here that after the partition of the country, the Sikhs were deprived of visiting all these Gurdwaras and rendering the services there. That is why, it was included in our Ardaas that the Sikhs be blessed to visit and serve at these holy places. Since then, the efforts have been continuously made in this regard. Various persons have contributed to make this Ardaas fulfilled. When Nankana Sahib Foundation was founded by S. Ganga Singh Dhillon and others, its main purpose was to make the Pakistan Government agree on these demands of Sikhs. Gradully, the Government accepted and started allowing the Sikh pilgrims from different parts of the world to visit many of these Gurdwaras. Persons were also employed at these places to look after and maintain them by observing the Gurmat Maryada. The Nankana Sahib Foundation had also started efforts by writing a letter on 12th January 1997 to Pakistan Government for the formation of Pakistan Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee. It was as a result of continuous efforts that such a committee came into being in 1999. Although, there are still many Gurdwaras in Pakistan which have not been opened so far for the devotee pilgrims, the efforts are still continuing.

Other Gurdwaras in Pakistan

Although, the second and the third Guru, namely Guru Angad Dev Ji and Guru Amardas Ji were born in Eastern Punjab, western Punjab was again the birth place of Guru Ramdas Ji. So, after Guru Nanak Dev Ji, we are having an important Gurdwara at the birth place of Guru Ramdas Ji, who was born at Chunna Mandi, Lahore. Lahore being one of the most important cities of the pre partitioned India and presently of Pakistan, is also an important city in the history of Sikh religion. Whereas the fourth guru was born in this city, the fifth guru attained his martyrdom here and later on the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib visited this place and spent some time in Lahore. In addition to the places associated with the Gurus, Lahore was also the main centre where the Governors of Punjab committed atrocities on Sikhs and a large number of Sikh men, women and children were made martyrs. The famous Sikh martyr Bhai Taru Singh had also sacrificed his life at Lahore. Thus, there are Gurdwaras commemorating the memories of the martyrdoms of Bhai Taru Singh Ji and a number of Singhs and Singhanias (Sikh men and women). According to www.allaboutsikhs. com, there are around 195 Gurdwaras across Pakistan. However some of the Gurdwaras presently do not exist and many others are just in ruins. sikhiwiki.org has given a list of 126 Gurdwaras spread over the entire Pakistan. Wikipedia has also given a long list of Gurdwaras in Pakistan and have also described some of the Gurdwaras to highlight their historical importance. These Gurdwaras are exclusive of the Gurdwaras situated in that part of Pakistan which was later on separated from Pakistan and had became a new country ‘Bangla Desh’. Before we discuss the position of Gurdwaras in Bangla Desh, a brief mention of the most important Gurdwaras of Pakistan along with their pictures are given hereunder for a ready reference and perusal.