The historic Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi in Lahore has reopened for worship after 79 years, ending a closure that began with the Partition in 1947. The shrine on Temple Road in Mozang reopened on Sunday after the completion of its restoration.
The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) completed the restoration and reopened the building for worship. Dawn reported that the board held a joint ceremony with the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and the Punjab government to mark the occasion.
The gurdwara is associated with the sixth Sikh Guru. According to accounts, Guru Hargobind visited the place during his visit to Lahore in 1619. The shrine had remained closed since 1947 and had gradually fallen into disrepair.
Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi: a shrine with a long history
The old building of the gurdwara was established in 1926 through the efforts of Sardar Mehar Singh. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) assumed administrative control of the shrine in 1927.
The Partition in 1947 brought an end to regular Sikh worship at the shrine. For 79 years, the building stood closed to devotees.
At the ceremony to mark the reopening, Punjab Minorities Affairs Minister Ramesh Singh Arora said the restoration of more than 50 gurdwaras across Pakistan was under way. Arora, who also heads the PSGPC, said the work was being carried out in line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
He said Gurdwara Khara Sahib in Nowshera Virkan was also expected to be inaugurated this month.
Pilgrims and the Kartarpur Corridor
Arora said Sikh pilgrims from India and other parts of the world were welcome to visit Pakistan to attend celebrations marking the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
According to him, around 10,000 Sikhs from India wanted to visit Pakistan, but the Indian government had not granted permission to more than 3,000 pilgrims despite a positive response from Pakistan.
He also urged the Indian government to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor to facilitate Sikh pilgrims and promote religious tourism between the two countries.
The corridor, which links the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur with India, has long been a bridge for Sikh pilgrims. Its reopening would let far more devotees reach shrines in Pakistan, including the newly restored gurdwara in Lahore. Ramesh Singh Arora has already said Pakistan would warmly welcome Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann if he is allowed to travel, and the Guru Nanak Expressway is among the road projects linking the region.
Protecting minority heritage
ETPB Secretary Nasir Mushtaq said the board would continue its efforts to protect and restore places of worship belonging to the Sikh and Hindu communities.
The restoration of Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi aims to provide better facilities to the Sikh community for worship while safeguarding Lahore’s historical and religious heritage for future generations.
The contribution of former PSGPC president Sardar Bishan Singh and Professor Mampal Singh to the restoration of the gurdwara was acknowledged at the ceremony.
Pakistan’s leaders reaffirmed their commitment to minority rights on Diwali, and minority representation remains a live issue in public debate. The reopening gives those commitments a visible result in Lahore.
What happens next
The gurdwara is now open for religious worship, and the Sikh community can perform its rituals at the restored site. The ETPB says restoration work at other historic gurdwaras and temples will continue.
For Lahore, the reopening restores a piece of the city’s shared past. A shrine closed for 79 years is once again a living place of worship.
Frequently asked questions
Which gurdwara reopened in Lahore?
Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib on Temple Road in Mozang, Lahore, reopened for worship after restoration.
How long was it closed?
It had been closed since the Partition in 1947, a gap of 79 years, and had fallen into disrepair.
Who restored the gurdwara?
The Evacuee Trust Property Board completed the restoration, and the reopening ceremony was held jointly with the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Punjab government.
What is the gurdwara’s history?
It is linked to Guru Hargobind’s visit to Lahore in 1619. The building was established in 1926, and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee took administrative control in 1927.
How many Sikh pilgrims want to visit Pakistan?
Around 10,000 Sikhs from India wanted to visit for Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary, but India had permitted only just over 3,000, according to Punjab Minorities Minister Ramesh Singh Arora.
