Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh in Peshawar
Peshawar is a very important city of the present day Pakistan. It has a deep association with the Sikh
history. In fact it is mainly because of Sikhs that now it is in Pakistan and not in Afghanistan. The Sikhs
had won it during their battles with the Afghans and since then it remained a part of Khalsa Raj and later
on the British Raj and after partition a city of Pakistan. Most of the
Sikh heritage sites located in Pakistan lie in Khyabar Pakhtunkhwa
area. The ancient monuments, Gurdwaras, forts and havelis located
in this area, all remind of the golden chapter of Sikh history. Though
the Sikh population is very small in Pakistan, even then this is one
of the places where Sikhs have a notable number. There is one
important Gurdwara known as Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh which
is visited not only by the Kabuli Sikhs, now inhabitants of this town,
but also the tourists, researchers and devotee Sikhs from different
parts of the world. This Gurdwara is named after Bhai Joga, s/o
Bhai Gurmukh Singh of Peshawar who was converted to Sikhism
by tasting Amrit from Kalghidhar Patshah, who took him as his
godson and always kept him in his presence. At the request of Bhai
Gurmukh Guru ji allowed him to go to Peshawar for his marriage,
but, to test his devotion, sent a disciple to follow him. Guru Ji gave
him a proclamation which was to be delivered to Joga after “Lawan” (Sikh rite of marriage). The note’ said:
“Once you see this note, proceed to Anand Pur at once”. The courier did accordingly and delivered the note
while he was performing Lawan. Bhai Joga Singh left his lawan ceremony and immediately rushed to meet
his Guru. This Gurdwara originally existed in small building, but, a new building was constructed during the
reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The present building after certain renovations, the Gurdwara was reopened
for the Sikhs in 2001 after remaining closed for many years. It is a beautiful three storeyed building situated
in Jogan Shah locality of Namakmandi of Peshawar City where Sangat of Peshawar is held in the morning
and evening and Parkash of Guru Granth Sahib takes place.
