Gurudwaras of World
Gateway to Sikhism proudly launches
Gurudwaras of World @ www.worldgurudwaras.com
Gateway to Sikhism proudly launches Gurudwaras of World @ www.worldgurudwaras.com on auspicious day of Khalsa Sajna Divas , Vaisakhi April 14th 2012. Worldgurudwaras.com will strive to be most comprehensive directory of Historical Gurudwaras and Non Historical Gurudwaras around the world.
The etymology of the term 'gurdwara' is from the words 'Gur (ਗੁਰ)' (a reference to the Sikh Gurus) and 'Dwara (ਦੁਆਰਾ)' (gateway in Gurmukhi), together meaning 'the gateway through which the Guru could be reached'. Thereafter, all Sikh places of worship came to be known as gurdwaras.
It is a work in progress and We strongly urge the Sikh Cyber Community to contribute to this project by submitting contact information, details, images of Gurudwaras around the world to make this a comprehensive directory.
Historical Gurudwaras in Pakistan
Gurudwara Mal ji Sahib
Gurudwara Mal ji Sahib |
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Gurudwara
Mal ji Sahib is also near the railway station but closer to town.
Mal (also called jal and van) is a shady tree.
It is said that once as Rai Bular was riding among the fields in this
area, he saw young Nanak sleeping in the shade of a mal tree. What struck
Rai Bular was that the shade had not moved away from the sleeper as the
movement and position of the Sun warranted. According to another version,
the shade had moved away from the Guru but a large cobra had spread its
huge hood over his face so that his sleep was not interrupted. This miracle
and the incident related to Kiara Sahib convinced Rai Bular of the spiritual
eminence of Guru Nanak Dev whose devotee he became.
This Gurudwara, too, was first built by Diwan Kaura Mal and renovated
by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It is larger and more imposing than Kiara Sahib
with its broad copings mounted with domelets around the central dome,
domed kiosks at the corners of the roof and porches on the sides of the
hall.This place is presently situated amidst the thick population of Nanakana
Sahib. After partition, unfortunately, Sri Guru Granth Sahib has not been
ceremoniously opened. Anyhow a portrait of the Guru is placed at the sanctum
sanctorum, where the pilgrims pay a visit.This holy place is associated
with the childhood activities of Guru Nanak Dev ji. One day while grazing
the cattle, the Guru was taking rest under a shady tree. He went into
trance. When the shadows were falling down, his divinely face happened
to be covered with the sunshine. A big cobra spread its hood on the very
face of the Guru for relieving him from the scorching heat. Rai Bular,
the hakam of Talwandi saw this from a far off place. He got the impression
that the child Guru Nanak was bitten by the snake. On approaching the
the place, where the Guru Nanak was lying, the snake snailed to its pit.
The Guru was awakened by the Rai Bular and he found him quite safe and
sound. The Rai Bular, thus came to realise the divine personality of the
Guru and became his disciple from that very day. He made it clear to Mehta
Kalu that he should not take the former as merely his son but a revered
holy prophet. A grant building stands erected to day at this historical
site.
This place is presently situated amidst the thick population of Nankana
Sahib. After partition, unfortunately, Sri Guru Granth Sahib has not been
ceremoniously opened anyhow a portrait of the Guru is placed at the sanctorum,
where the pilgrims pay a visit. A vana tree immortalises the historical
place.
 | Text and photographs: Gurdwara Gurdham at Pakistan, written by Roop Singh and Published by SGPC |
| Photographs : Kanwer Sosheel Singh from Pakistan |
| Photographs: S. Rajinder Singh Narang |
