Historical Gurdwaras in India

State of JAMMU & KASHMIR

Srinagar

1) Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi - Srinagar, on the bank of Jhelum River and Dal Lake, was visited by Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Hargobind, and according to some source by Guru Har Rai, too, but the historical Sikh shrine here is named after Guru Hargobind alone. Called Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi, it is located outside Kathi Gate of Hari Parbat Fort. This is the site of the house of Mai Bhagbhari, who had long been yearning for a glimpse of the Guru when Guru Hargobind fulfilled her wish by his visit. The Gurdwara comprises a rectangular hall with the sanctum in the middle and a spacious terrace in front. An old well nearby is said to have been got dug by Guru Hargobind himself. Srinagar is accessible by road via Pathankot and Jammu and also by air from Delhi and Chandigarh.


Anantnag

1) Gurdwara Guru Nanak Dev - The district town of Anantnag, also called Islamabad, is on the eastern end of Kashmir valley across the Banihal Pass. Gurdwara Guru Nanak Dev in the southern part of the town commemorates the visit of the First Guru who passed through Anantnag on his way to Mattan. Its present building was constructed in 1950 and a second story was added in 1970. The sanctum is at the middle of the rear wall on the ground floor.

2) Gurdwara Patshahi Pahili (Mattan) - Mattan, also called Martand, is an ancient town four kilometers northeast of Anantnag. Guru Nanak Dev here held a discourse with Pandit Brahm Das and converted him to his own faith. The shrine established here is called Gurdwara Patshahi Pahili. Its building constructed by Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa was replaced by the present one during the 1980s. It comprises a rectangular hall with the sanctum at one end and a verandah in front.

3) Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Charan Asthan Dukh Nivaran (Beerwah) - Beerwah, 35 kilimetres southwest of Srinagar, in the newly formed Badgam district was also visited by Guru Nanak Dev. The commemorative shrine is named Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Charan Asthan Dukh Nivaran. Its present building was constructed in 1975. It is a double-storey building with the sanctum on the first floor and residential rooms on the ground floor.


Baramula

1) Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi - Baramula is a district town, 52 kilometres northwest of Srinagar, Guru Hargobind during his visit to the Kashmir valley in 1620 had stayed at Baramula for a few days. The commemorative shrine at first called Kot Tirath was developed into Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi during the Sikh Rule. Its present building includes two adjacent halls and a new double-storey building added during the 1980s.


Singhpura

1) Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi Thara Sahib - Singhpura is a village near Baramula which Guru Hargobind visited during his stay at the latter place. The shrine commemorating the Guru's visit is called Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi Thara Sahib. Thara means a platform of mud or masonry. At first only a Thara Sahib existed here. The present square domed building surrounded by a verandah was built during the 1930s by the Sikh savant Bhai Vir Singh.


Uri

1) Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi Param Pillan - Uri is 55 kilometres southwest of Baramula on the old route to the valley via Rawalpindi and Murree which Guru Hargobind, traveling in company with Emperor Jahangir, had taken. Uri at the western end of Kashmir valley was a natural halting station for visitors. A Gurdwara was established here by Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa. It is called Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi Param Pilln. Its present building constructed during 1983 is a rectangular hall with the sanctum at the far end.


All these Gurdwaras are managed by the State Sikh Gurdwaras Parbandhak Board through respective District Parbandhark Committees constituted under the Jammu and Kashmir Sikh Gurdwaras and Religious Endowment Act, 1973 (Act XV of 1973).