Gurdwara Patshahi Chhevin reopens after 79 years
A historic gurdwara linked to Guru Hargobind has reopened to devotees in Lahore after nearly 79 years of closure following the Partition of India in 1947. Gurdwara Patshahi Chhevin, located in the historic village of Amar Sidhu on the Lahore-Kasur road—now part of Lahore's urban limits—was formally reopened after restoration. Local Sikh community members marked the occasion by performing Sukhmani Sahib Path and ardas on Saturday.
Historical significance of the shrine
The shrine is one of three historic gurdwaras in Lahore associated with Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru. Historical accounts state that Guru Hargobind stayed at the site while returning from Kashmir before proceeding to Amritsar. The shrine is also linked to Bibi Kaulan, who is believed to have accompanied the Guru on the journey along with the Sikh congregation.
Restoration and construction history
According to Davinder Singh Dhillon, editor of the Gurdwara Pedia portal, the site originally consisted of a simple memorial. A grand gurdwara was constructed in 1923 through the efforts of Bhai Mohan Singh Akali (Nihang), with support from Lahore's Sikh community. Renowned civil engineer Sir Ganga Ram, who designed several iconic buildings in undivided Punjab during the British era, made a significant contribution to the construction. Dhillon said the complex originally comprised around 17 kanals of land and included facilities for langar and accommodation for pilgrims. Before Partition, it was managed by the local Sikh sangat under the supervision of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
Architectural features and post-Partition decline
Historical records state that the original tharra, marking the spot where Guru Hargobind had rested, was later enclosed within a permanent structure built in 1923 at the centre of a garden. The shrine featured an imposing dome, surrounding verandahs and marble flooring bearing inscriptions in both Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi commemorating Sikh devotees who contributed to its construction. The shrine suffered extensive damage during the communal violence of 1947 and remained abandoned after the Sikh population migrated to India. Over the decades, the building deteriorated, the adjoining sarovar was filled in and much of the surrounding land was encroached upon. For several years, the premises reportedly remained under the occupation of a private family, which had also established a local pir’s grave within the complex.
Revival of Sikh heritage
With its restoration and reopening, the shrine has once again become accessible to the local Sikh community, reviving an important chapter of Sikh heritage in Pakistan.
