171 Abandoned Gurdwaras In Pakistan

[GamerSingh]

Recently, I was thinking about all the kathas of the Sikh gurus (especially of Guru Nanak Dev Ji) that took place in Pakistan and whether there were Gurdwaras still in existence at these sites.

It turns out there are 171 historical Sikh gurdwaras across Pakistan, most of which were abandoned in '47 and have since been either destroyed, are close to collapsing, have been converted into mosques (or schools, police stations, etc...), or were demolished in order to build homes.

Our heritage is at risk as several historic gurdwaras, places where our gurus set foot, are in states of disrepair. These shrines are a treasure trove of history that we are ignoring. Sure, several gurdwaras in Pakistan have been repaired and brought back to their former glory, unfortunately, hundreds more still remain neglected.

Here are some of the Historical Gurdwaras in state of neglect:

1) Gurdwara Chakki Sahib - Where Guru Nanak Dev Ji was imprisoned by Babur

2) Gurdwara Janam Asthan Guru Ram Das Ji

3)Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Bhai Taru Singh Ji

4) Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Bhai Mani Singh Ji

5) Gurdwara Damdama Sahib, Gujranwala

6) Gurdwara Chota Nanakiana, Manga, Lahore

7) Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Mata Sahib Kaur Ji, Rohtas, Jhelum

8) Gurdwara Cheevin Patshahi, Guru Mangat, Lahore

9) Gurdwara Sach Khand, Chuhrkhana

10) Gurdwara Nanak Garh, Badami Bagh, Lahore

No trace of this Gurdwara remains

11) Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi, Kasur

12) Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi, Hadiara, Lahore

These shrines are merely some of the hundreds of gurdwaras in disrepair. In daily ardas, we ask to be once again be allowed 'khule darshan didar' of the gurdwaras 'keft behind'. Today, we have the chance to get back control of these gurdwaras, and this might be the only time to get back our gurdwaras. These crumbling structures won't last for long, and these buildings are under even more threat from the taliban coming in from the west (Afghanistan, Tribal Areas). Lets come together and save our heritage before all of it is turned into homes and schools, and there will only be stories of gurdwaras which once stood west of the Ravi.

[chatanga]

Just one correction Bhaji, the Sikhs did NOT abandon these gurdwaras. we were forced out by the muslims. No Sikh wanted to leave their ancestral land.

and bhaji you have uploaded some beautiful gurdwaras, but we are unable to download these pictures, becasue i for one, wish to show them to sangat at local gurdwara. can you change them or give us a link where you got them?

[TheFancyBanana]

http://www.searchsikhism.com/gal5.html here are some pictures. there has got to be more than 171 gurdware. like small ones in pinds must account for more and larger ones in cities. sad that partition had to take place.

[Singhballer]

The Mata Sahib Kaur Gurdwara has been desecrated by Sikhs in Pakistan. They put up bathroom tiles all around the walls and encased the whole structure in plastar. Instead of preserving it they destroyed its historical and architectural value.

[GamerSingh]

Just one correction Bhaji, the Sikhs did NOT abandon these gurdwaras. we were forced out by the muslims. No Sikh wanted to leave their ancestral land.

and bhaji you have uploaded some beautiful gurdwaras, but we are unable to download these pictures, becasue i for one, wish to show them to sangat at local gurdwara. can you change them or give us a link where you got them?

Im sorry if my wording came off like that, but I didn't mean it that way. I understand that Sikhs were forced to leave, infact, many Singhs and Singhnis stayed behind and attained martyrdom defending the gurdwaras from desecration during the Partition.

I got the pictures from http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/gurudwaras-in-pakistan/historical-gurudwaras-in-pakistan (im not sure how to make the pictures downloadable :s )