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
Samadh Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Lahore
Samadh Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Lahore |
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A domed building is adjacent to the southern corner of eastern wall
of Badshahi Mosque outside Roshanai Gate. This building is the Samadh
of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who ruled over Punjab and Kashmir
for forty years. He died of paralysis on 15th Har Samvat 1896 (27th June
1839) and was cremated at this spot on the next day i.e., on 16th Har
Samvat 1896 where ti beautiful samadh has been built. It is a very big
double storey building. The samadh of Maharaja, Ranjit Singh at its centre
is surrounded by the samadhs of his eleven queens who were burnt alive
(sati) with the dead body of their husband. The Samadhs of two pigeons
burnt while flying over the flames of cremation fire are also there.
This domed building was built on eight pillars, but after a few years
these pillars cracked and the building was about to collapse. Then at
the orders of the British Government, Kanhaya Lal Hindi (Executive Engineer,
Buildings Lahore Division) put thick iron rings around the old pillars,
eight additional pillars were also erected and now the whole building
is standing on 16 pillars.
The building is very beautiful. The wood panels of the ceiling are decorated
with tainted glass work and walls have floral design done skilfully in
extreme beauty.
A fair is organised in the month of June and a large number of local
and foreign sangats assemble. The main gate done in red stone has floral
patterns engraved in them. Its control is in the hands of Evacuee Trust
Board these days.
 | Text and photographs:Historical Sikh Shrines in Pakistan : Iqbal Qaiser |
