In Gujrat state also, there are number of historical Gurdwaras relating to the travels of Guru Nanak Dev
Ji, as in Baroda Gurdwara Nanakwadi, in Barauch, Gurdwara Chadar Sahib and a Gurdwara in Lakhpat
are all stated to have been visited by the first Guru during his travels. However, the Lakhpat Gurdwara is
the most well known Gurdwara. It is the place in Gujrat which was visited by Guru Nanak Dev Ji during the
fourth Udasi. Lakhpat was earlier part of Sind (now in Pakistan) and is presently situated 170 kilometres from
Gandhi Dham. To commemorate Guru Nanak Dev ji’s visit to Lakhpat, a Gurdwara was built in the early
years of the nineteenth century. A vast tract of land was bestowed to the Gurdwara to make up expenses
for maintenance and to look after the visitors. The revenues from the land and the crops grown there have
sustained the Gurdwara. From Lakhpat, Guru ji crossed to Somiani port in Sind for his famous journey onwards
to Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. The place served as a seat of the Udasi Sect. Several rare treasures are
preserved at Gurdwara Shri Lakhpat Sahib, including the “Charan
Paduka” – Khadavas (wooden footwear) that belonged to Guru
Nanak Dev ji. At present various extensions are being added to
the Gurdwara complex and this “sewa” of additional building of
Yatri Niwas (visitor’s sleeping rooms), Langar hall (Dining hall),
Diwan Hall (congregation hall) is being undertaken by Shri Baba
Lakkha Singh ji – Baruch. The prominence of this Gurdwara was
highlighted when it bagged the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage
Conservation Award for the year 2004. The award comprises
a scroll and a trophy which goes to CRCI (Cultural Resources
Conservation Initiative). The Archaeological Survey of India, the
State Department of Archaeology. United Nations Development
Programme and United Nations Volunteers supported the
Conservation programme which took seven months for restoration,
as the Gurudwara was damaged during 1998 cyclone in Gujarat and the January 2001 earthquake in Gujarat.
The government of Gujrat undertook the conservation and reconstruction of the 200-year-old Gurdwara
at Lakhpat in Kutch district after it was damaged during the 2001 earthquake. Recently, in view of the
celebration of 350th Birth anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Gujrat Goverment announced a special
grant for renovation of 2 Gurdwaras including Lakhpat Sahib. The other Gurdwara, which was mentioned
for this assistance by the chief Minister Sh. Vijay Rupani was the Gurdwara at Bet Dwarka named after one
of the Panj Pyaras Bhai Mohkam Singh who belonged to Dwarka. Contact Nos. of this Gurdwara are 011-
23654218, 986853976 (M).
