Gurdwara Patshahi Chhevin Reopens After 79 Years in Lahore
Lahore: Gurdwara Patshahi Chhevin, a historic Sikh shrine linked to Guru Hargobind, reopened to devotees on Saturday (July 11) in Lahore after remaining inaccessible for 79 years since the Partition in 1947.
Located at Amar Sidhu on the Lahore-Kasur road, the shrine was reopened after restoration work, the Tribune reported. Members of the local Sikh community marked the occasion by holding Sukhmani Sahib Path and ardas.
The gurdwara is one of three historic shrines in Lahore associated with Guru Hargobind. According to historical accounts cited by the Tribune, Guru Hargobind stayed at the site while travelling from Kashmir before heading to Amritsar.
Davinder Singh Dhillon, editor of the Gurdwara Pedia portal, told the paper that the site was originally a simple memorial. In 1923, a larger gurdwara was built through the efforts of Bhai Mohan Singh Akali (Nihang) with support from Lahore's Sikh community. Civil engineer Sir Ganga Ram also contributed to its construction, the report said.
Before Partition, the complex spread across about 17 kanals and included facilities for langar and accommodation for pilgrims. It was managed by the local Sikh sangat under the supervision of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
Historical records state that the original tharra marking the place where Guru Hargobind is believed to have rested was enclosed within the structure built in 1923. The shrine included a dome, verandahs and marble flooring with inscriptions in Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi recognising Sikh contributors.
The shrine was damaged during the communal violence of 1947 and was abandoned after the Sikh population migrated to India. Over the years, the building deteriorated, the adjoining sarovar was filled in and parts of the surrounding land were encroached upon. The premises were also reportedly occupied by a private family, which established a local pir's grave within the complex. Following its restoration, the shrine has once again become accessible to the local Sikh community.
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