Mumbai, earlier known as Bombay is the capital of Maharashtra and the commercial capital of India. After partition of the country, many Punjabi families including Sikhs came to Bombay and settled here. The main concentration of Punjabi population was in central parts of Bombay including such areas as Dadar, Sion and Koliwadha. In Dadar, the earliest Gurdwara in Mubai was existing even in those days on a very small scale. It was also having a facility of providing stage to the migratory Sangat visiting Mumbai from all over the world. Gradually, the Sangat increased and the Gurdwara became the Nerve centre and a guiding force for all the religious and socio cultural activities of the community. The management of the Gurdwara started celebrating the main Gurpurabs and the devotees from all parts of Mumbai and near around areas like Thane, Kalyan, Virar etc used to assemble here for celebrations. The Langar which was earlier prepared by the Sangat became so well known that people from other religion also came and enjoyed it. Further, this Gurdwara has always played a vital role in the hour of need, may it be a natural calamity, disaster or any emergency affecting the life of people at large. The Sabha’s lodging and boarding facility is popularly known as MUSAFIRKHANA.
At present more than 100 Gurdwaras are there in Mumbai. On one of the social sites, there is a mention of 13 most popular Gurdwaras, namely Dhan Pothohar- Santacruz, The Khar Gurdwara- Khar, Gurdwara Khalsa Sabha- Matunga, Guru Nanak Darbar- Andheri, Gurdwara Punjabi Sabha- Powai, Sri Guru Singh Sabha- Dadar, Dashmesh Darbar- Koliwada, Sion, Gurdwara Saahib- JB Nagar, Andheri, Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha- Chembur, Gurdwara Sahib Shahpur- Shahpur, Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha- 4 bunglows, Sri Guru Nanak Satsang Sabha- Malad east and Sri Guru Nanak Darbar- Borivali. Selecting one Gurdwara for discussion, Gurdwara Nanak Darbar at Koliwara deserves a special mention. Koliwara is a neighbourhood in Sion, Mumbai. When the refugees came from Pakistan, they settled here by making small chawls. From 1947 to 1950, 25 buildings having these small houses known as kolis were constructed. It was because of these kolis that the place came to be known as Koliwara. Later on, the Sikh population increased in this area to such an extent that a number of Gurdwaras were constructed. When the third Centenary of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji was celebrated, this mini Punjab area was renamed as Guru Tegh Bahadar Nagar. Even today, it is a hub of Punjabi culture in Mumbai. The Gurdwaras like Shri Dashmesh Darbar, Bhai Joga Singh Gurudwara, Singh Sabha Gurudwara, and Panchayti Gurudwara are all very popular. Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar is most popular gurdwara of this area. Its foundation stone was laid. On Prakash Purab of Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Kamptee Road, Nagpur Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Dadar, Mumbai Gurdwara Langar Sahib (Nanded) Sri Guru Gobind Singh on January 6, 1968 by Baba Jiwan Singh Kar Sewa Wale. Right from the beginning this Gurdwara has not only been satisfying the spiritual requirements, but also rendering valuable social service in the times of natural calamities. Whereas it started as help centre for victims of Koyna earthquake in 1968, its youth have always helped with cooked meals to the stranded people during floods, water logging or public disturbances..Its popularity attracts devotees from different parts of Mumbai It is situated on 10/ C-19 JK Bhasin Marg near Building No 25 GTB Nagar. Its contact no is 0091- 2224014232.
