Sikhism in Punjab
The origins of Sikhism may be traced to modern day Pakistan where the Sikhism faith originated with its founder Guru Nanak Dev in the early 1500's. The singular spiritual illumination that Guru Nanak imparted passed through a succession of Ten Sikh Gurus, culminating with Guru Granth
Sahib, the Holy Scripture
Gurdwara Rori Sahib, Eminabad
Gurdwara Rori Sahib, located in Gujranwala is the sacred shrine which
marks the site where, according to tradition, Guru Nanak was meditating on a bed of hard brickbats (ror-ree in Punjabi) in 1521. It is also said that
this was the place where Guru Nanak performed chilla (40 days of
meditations). At this site an imposing Gurdwara, along with a large pond and other monuments, was built.
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib is located in Kartarpur near the River Ravi. The
significance of the location is that Guru Nanak spent the last 18 years of his life here.
The original abode established by Guru Nanak was washed
away by floods of the River Ravi. The present Gurdawara with the beautifully white domed building was donated by Sardar Bhupindar Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala.
Nearby are also a well and other facilities
that were added more recently. A parking area has also been added towards the north. The site lies only 3km from the Pakistan India border. The Gurdwara at Kartarpur can be seen from another Gurdwara located across the border in the historical town of Dera Baba Nanak in India.
Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Farooqabad
Gurdwara Sacha Sauda Sahib is located in Sheikhupura. The story related to this site is that when Guru Nanak was eight years old, his father gave him some money to begin business by buying and selling goods
at a profit. However Guru Nanak met some Sadhus who were hungry and so he decided to feed them with the money he had received from his father. On returning home Guru Nanak explained to his father that a good deed was the best profit one could make with money. This free food that is distributed became the
Sikh tradition of Langar. On the spot of the first Langar, a Gurdwara was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Gurdwara is an impressive structure with a three storey building; which houses the guest rooms for yatris
and offices in the front and a courtyard surrounded by buildings at the back. The entire complex has been beautified: well maintained, cleaned and regularly painted and is frequently visited by the town's people because of its serene and well-kept ambience.
Gurdwara Nankana Sahib
Nankana Sahib is a city in Punjab named after Baba Guru Nanak Dev. Located about 80 kilometers south west of Lahore, it is a city of high historic and religious value and is a popular pilgrimage site for Sikhs from all over the world. The town currently has nine Gurdwaras
including the Gurdwara Janam Asthan (also known as Gurdwara Nankana Sahib) which marks the birth place of Guru Nanak Dev. Annually, approximately 30,000 Sikh pilgrims visit the
town, with about 15,000 gathering during the peak season around the birthday celebrations of Guru Nanak.
Over the centuries, the Sikh Gurus forged a spiritual path of enlightenment known the world over as Sikhism.
There are around 195 Gurdwaras across Pakistan. A Gurdwara, referred to as the
gateway to the guru, is the place of worship for Sikhs; however, people from all faiths are welcomed in the Sikh Gurdwara. The gurdwara has a Darbar Sahib where the current and everlasting Guru of the Sikhs, the holy scripture Guru Granth Sahib, is placed on a Takhat (an elevated throne) in a prominent central position. The Raagis (who sing Ragas) recite, sing and explain the verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, in the presence of the holy congregation.
Some of the prominent Sikh shrines established by the Sikh Gurus are:
- 1. Gurdwara Nankana Sahib
- 2. Gurdwara Rori Sahib, Eminabad
- 3. Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Farooqabad 4. Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur
