Lahore: Historical Gurudwara Opens After 80 Years... Gurbani Resonates for the First Time
A historic Gurudwara in Lahore, Pakistan, has been reopened for Sikh prayers after 80 years, marking a significant cultural event.
In a momentous occasion for the Sikh community, a historic Gurudwara located within the premises of Aitchison College in Lahore, Pakistan, reopened its doors for prayers approximately 80 years after it last hosted a religious service. This revival of the Gurudwara was confirmed by the college administration as part of the celebration for the institution's 140th anniversary. The event drew around 100 participants, all commemorating their spiritual history intertwined with the Gurudwara, particularly poignant for families with deep roots in the site before the division of India and Pakistan in 1947.
Dr. Tarunjeet Singh Butalia, an honorary envoy of the college, shared the emotional significance of the occasion, reflecting on how generations of his family had congregated for prayers in this very Gurudwara prior to the partition. He highlighted that his ancestors would gather there daily for evening prayers while studying at the college. This cultural landmark fell silent following the decline of the Sikh student population post-partition, leading to its closure, although the college maintained its premises.
Principal Turab Hussain underscored the importance of the event, describing it as both spiritual and historical. The reopening of the Gurudwara not only reestablishes a religious site for Sikhs in the area but also serves as a symbol of reconciliation and remembrance amidst the complex historical backdrop of partition. The gathering represents a renewed connection to heritage for the Sikh community, signifying a moment of healing and cultural revival within a historically significant context.