Historic Lahore gurdwara reopened to Sikh community after nearly eight decades

LAHORE: A historic gurdwara in Lahore has been reopened to the Sikh community after remaining inaccessible for 77 years, allowing worshippers to perform religious rites at the site for the first time since Partition 1947.

Gurdwara Chhatti Patshahi, located in the Chung Amarsidhu area, had remained under the occupation of local residents since 1947, according to the Sikh Sewa Welfare Society Pakistan. The property was restored to the community following a six-month effort involving the organisation, the local administration, police and the Evacuee Trust Property Board.

Members of the Sikh community gathered at the gurdwara on July 5 to mark the shrine’s 407th anniversary and offer prayers. Organisers said these were the first religious ceremonies held at the site since the creation of Pakistan.

According to Sikh tradition, Guru Hargobind Sahib, the sixth Sikh Guru, visited the site in 1619. The gurdwara was later built during the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and was expanded and renovated under the supervision of philanthropist Sir Ganga Ram in 1922.

Sikh Sewa Welfare Society Pakistan leader Dr Gulab Singh described the reopening as a historic and emotional occasion for the community. He thanked the Punjab government, district administration, police, the Evacuee Trust Property Board and Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora for facilitating the process.

Arora said the Punjab government would undertake the complete restoration and preservation of the gurdwara to protect its religious and historical significance.

He added that work was also under way to restore and reopen 50 other gurdwaras across Pakistan.