Gurudwara Shari Lakhpatsahib

Gurudwara Lakhpat Sahib is one of the most famous places of worship for Sikhs in Gujarat and is thronged by thousands of pilgrims each year. Apart from being an affluent port in the erstwhile era, Lakhpat also boasts of its associations with several people and prominent gurus.

This Gurudwara here is related to the oldest order of the Sikhs which is called as the Udasi Sect. There are legends that say that Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first of the ten Sikh Gurus, visited the place during his trip to Mecca. This fact is never factually corrected though. Some of the major elements in this Gurudwara are elaborate cradles of wood, sandals of wood that are believed to have been used by Guru Nanak Dev Ji himself and Udasi Sect’s several manuscripts.

History

The Gurudwara at Lakhpat Sahib has stood there majestically since 1800s and several believers of the Sikh faith gather here from places nearby and finally settled here which was pretty close to Gandhidham, a settled town in those days. After partition of the country, a handsome amount of Sindhi population migrated and settled into the heart of this place. These people from Sindh were devoted to the service and message of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. They helped the existing communities of Sikhs establish the Gurudwara in a true and magnificent self here. They then continued to serve it for many decades without causing any damage to the actual structure.

The actual history of the city and the Gurudwara is much richer than this, though legends assert that the first guru of the Sikhs, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited this place when he undertook a trip to the Holy Islamic Cities of Mecca and Medina which both lie in the Saudi Arabian peninsula. Although, there is no significant historical proof of the same, but this story is widely accepted and believed by Sikhs across the nation. This Gurudwara later served as one of the strongest holds of Udasi Sect of the Sikhs which is the largest of all the sects. Gurudwara Shri Lakhpat Sahib is a gurudwara where several religious and historical treasures are kept safe. Its repertoire includes "Charan Paduka" Sahib. There are the Khadvas (wooden sandals) that was used by the divine being of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Facts

The Udasi Sect also served as the caretaker of this Gurudwara for a long time after which the Sikh committee of the nearby Gurudwara at Gandhidham undertook the responsibility of maintaining the Gurudwara. They organized a number of events and functions to keep alive the spirit of Unity and culture belonging for the community there.

The gurudwara was also helped by a major restoration project under the guidance of UNESCO that supported the proper upkeep and development of the gurudwara and helped in conservation of material and architectural heritage of the place. The project was completed in 2003 and has been a major helper in the process of conservation of historical and symbolical religious site.

They also received an award from the same when UNESCO in association with several Indian agencies put a step forward and ensured the restoration and conservation of Gurudwara after it was damaged during the earthquake in Gujarat. It now stands firmly and serves as a community center for Sikhs.

Structure of Gurudwara

Apart from the main complex, the Gurudwara also has an extension that serves as a getaway for people. The twin storied gateway has huge pointed arc that add to the glamour of the wooden gates. The major elements that contributed in the construction of the Gurudwara were Limestone and Sandstone which are both available locally. These were suspended in the Lime Mortar and covered with a lime plaster later. On the outside, the place has been embellished with fine stone work which complements its perforated balconies.

How to Reach

• Ahmadabad Airport is the nearest airport.
• The nearby railway station is Gandhidham Railway Station.

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