Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi, Lakhpat, Gujarat | Image source: sikhiwiki.org
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will address the Gurpurab celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Gurudwara Lakhpat Sahib in Kutch, Gujarat on 25 December 2021, at around 12:30 PM, via video conferencing.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurab is celebrated at Gurudwara Lakhpat Sahib every year from 23rd to 25th December. Guru Nanak Dev Ji stayed at Lakhpat during his adventure. There are wooden footwear and a palkhi (cradle) at Gurdwara Lakhpat Sahib, as well as manuscripts and Gurmukhi script.
During the 2001 earthquake, the Gurudwara was damaged. Gujarat’s then chief minister, Shri Narendra Modi, took urgent steps to make sure the damage was fixed. This step showed the deep reverence of the Prime Minister for the faith, as also reflected in multiple recent endeavors, including the celebrations of the 550th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, 350th Parkash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and 400th Parkash Purab of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
About Gurudwara Lakhpat Sahib
Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi means “Gurdwara of the first master” and is located in Lakhpat, Gujarat, India – A town in Gujarat that Guru Nanak Sahib visited during his second and fourth missionary journeys (Udasis) in 1506-1513 AD and 1519-1521 AD. Gurdwara Guru Nanak Sahib was built to preserve the memory of these early 1500s visits by the revered Guru. Guru Nanak visited this site on his way to Mecca during the Fourth Udasi. A few rare personal possessions of his are retained here.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited Gujarat and Lakhpat on his travels. Lakhpat used to be part of Sind (now in Pakistan). It’s 170 km from Gandhidham, Gujarat, India. Lakhpat was called “Basta Bander” in the sixteenth century. Khakpat used to be a rice-growing area and a port. After an earthquake in 1819, the area became barren, and crops withered away because the river was gone after the earthquake.
In the early nineteenth century, a Gurudwara was built in Lakhpat to commemorate Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s visit. To make up maintenance costs and to look after visitors, a huge chunk of land was given to the Gurudwara. Gurdwaras are sustained by the land and crops they grow. Lakhpat is about 20km from Korini village, where there’s a big Sarovar in memory of Guru Nanak Dev’s visit. From Lakhpat, Guru ji crossed to Somiani in Sind for his famous journey to Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.
Gurudwara Lakhpat Sahib won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Award for 2004. The award consists of a scroll and a trophy that goes to CRCI (Cultural Resources Conservation Initiative).
The Archaeological Survey of India, the State Department of Archaeology, the United Nations Development Programme, and United Nations Volunteers supported the conservation program. It took seven months to restore the Gurudwara after it was damaged by a cyclone in 1998 and an earthquake in 2001. After the 2001 earthquake, the government of Gujarat restored and rebuilt the 200-year-old Gurdwara at Lakhpat in the Kutch district.
UNESCO recognized the state government’s efforts by awarding the Asia-Pacific Heritage Award to Lakhpat gurdwara. People took part in reconstructing the gurdwara through the cultural activities department. A grant was provided by the Archaeological Survey of India, and the United Nations Volunteer Programme helped. The UNESCO award stated, “The restoration of this Sikh temple demonstrates a sophisticated holistic understanding of both the technical and social aspects of conservation.
This building retains its historic character thanks to careful attention to detail and sensitive repair work. Involving and empowering the community ensures the long-term survival of the building and its cultural traditions.”
Read Also: Commemoration 400th Birth Anniversary (Prakash Purab) of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji