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The domes of Gurudwara Dera Sahib (left) by Kangfupanda17-

Top 10 Outstanding Facts About Gurudwara Dera Sahib 

Gurdwara Dera Sahib is one of the oldest Sikh Gurdwara in Pakistan which commemorates the spot where the 5th guru of Sikhism, Guru Arjan Dev, was martyred on April 20th, 1606.

It is located just outside of the Walled City of Lahore and it’s part of an ensemble of monuments which includes the Lahore Fort, Samadhi of Ranjit Singh, Hazuri Bagh quadrangle, Roshnai Gate, and the Badshahi Mosque.

A number of factors led to the arrest, trial and torture of Guru Arjan. Emperor Jahangir who was a notorious alcoholic, drug addict and womanizer already hated Guru Arjan for a couple of reasons. After the arrest, Guru Arjan was taken to Lahore for a kangaroo court (fake trial).

The trial of Guru Arjan was just for show and held to give the appearance of a fair and just trial, despite the fact that the verdict had in reality already been decided even before the trial had begun. Emperor Jahangir ordered that Guru Arjan was to be tortured since he had refused to stop preaching his message of God as started by Guru Nanak.

Below are some interesting facts about this historical monument:

1.Gurudwara Dera Sahib Is A Blend Of Mughal And Sikh Styles 

Mughal Architecture style by Syed Gohar –

The architecture design is a beautiful blend of Mughal and Sikh sytles. The main Gurudwara building with gilded dome was built during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign, while some other additions were made later up until the partition.

Main hall has an exquisite and unique domeroof decorated with paintaings from Guru Nanak Dev Ji’. The walls and floor are beautifully made using marbles. The golden dome boasts a beautiful structure with intricate floral carvings and paintings which attracts many tourists.

The Gurdwara is in the centre of the town and comprises three separate memorials.
Sarji Sahib which is a well originally belonging to Bhai Ajita.It still exists and peple drink its water in the belief that it possesses curative properties.

Kritan Athan, a rectangular hall which marks the site where Sri Guru Arjan Sahib Ji had sat rapt in Kirtan when visiting Dera Baba Nanak for condolence on the death of Baba Dharam Das. The Guru Granth Sahib is also seated in this hall.

Central Gurdwara whisch is also known as Thara Sahib. Thara meaning a platform, where Guru Nanak had sat when he first came to Ajita’s well

2.Guru Arjan Sahib Memorial Is Built Here

Guru Arjan Sahib by Kuljitsingh00896 –

After many days of torture on the orders of the Mughal emperor Jahangir, Sri Guru Arjan Sahib Ji disappeared into the river Ravi here and re-joined with God. The torture of Guru Arjan infuriated his close friend and Muslim mystic, Mian Mir.

After intercession from Mian Mir, on the fifth day of torture, the Guru’s request for a bath in the river was granted. After submerging himself in the river, the Guru reportedly did not reappear.

The Mughal search party was unable to retrieve him. The Guru’s son and successor, Sri Guru Hargobind later had a memorial built here in 1619 to commemorate the martyrdom of Guru Arjan.

3.Muslims Began Their History Of Sikh Genocide

Sikh Genocide by Samvel Ghulyan –

The history of Sikh genocide was started by muslims when they tortured Sri Guru Arjan Sahib Ji, a pious and holy man who helped others and did much good.

The gurudwara, a site in Lahore’s walled city that is commemorated by the defunct Gurdwara Lal Khoohi – which has been repurposed into a Muslim shrine by the name of Haq Chaar Yaar.

4.It Had No Congregation Hall

Maharaja Ranjit Singh had a small but beautiful Gurdwara built here but it had no congregational hall. Therefore, in 1909, one was attached to Gurdwara. This led to daily congregations which were held regularly. Eventually a sarai (rooms for visitors) and a marble gate was built along with a Nishan Sahib (flag post).

5.Committee Was Formed To Tend To The Gurdwara

In 1925 A.D. a local committee under the administration of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak was formed to tend to the Gurdwara, which was replaced in 1927 when the SGPC took over the management and started rebuilding the Gurdwara on 21st April 1930.

On 9th September 1934, the work was completed including resurfacing the domes in gold. Also the clay areas to each side of the Gurdwara were paved.

6.Sikhs Had To Abandon The Gurdwara

As the number of Sikhs in daily congregations continued to increase necessitating further plans to extend the Gurdwara’s capacity. Renovation plans were drawn out, but due to the partition of the country, they could not be accomplished.

Due to not accomplishing the renovation and expansion plans, on 9th September 1947, after all of the hard work on the Gurdwara, Sikhs had to abandon their gurdwara to save their lives.

7.Daily Recitation Of Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Two Singh’s render daily service to this Gurdwara. Prakash and the recitation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib at this Gurdwara now continues daily.

Other Special divans take place on every last day of the dark half of the lunar month (Amavasya) together with all major anniversaries, especially the one marking Guru Nanak’s re-joining with God, are observed.

The other most important annual event observed is the fair celebrating the Vaisakhi festival.

8.Sikhs Visit The Gurdwara Every Year

The Sikhs visit the Gurdwara every year at the occasion of the martyrdom of Guru Arjan (on Shaheedi Jor Mela) to pay homage to the great Guru. The Government of Pakistan built a 47 roomed Mian Mir Block for visitors in November 1996 and the Guru’s langar is served round the clock.

9.Houses Several Relics

Guru Arjan Dev Ji compiled the Guru Granth which is a principal part of Sikh scriptures. The Gurdwara also houses several relics including an old copy of Adi Granth Sahib which is treated with the respect that would be given to a human Guru.

It is handwritten, has 1660 pages, each page having a handsomely illuminated border. The Guru Granth Sahib is seated in a small square pavilion with a pinnacled lotus dome under an overhanging gilded canopy within the gurdwara.

The whole pavilion is covered with gold-plated metal sheets with some of the hymns of Guru Nanak embossed on them.

10.One Of The Many Gurdwaras In Pakistan

Gurdwara Kartarpur by Shazaib Damn Cruze –

There are many other gurdwaras in Pakistan. The most commonly known and visited are Gurdwara Nankana sahib (Gurdwara Janam Asthan, birth place of Baba Guru Nanak Sahib (Founder of Sikhism), Gurdwara Kartarpur (also known as Darbar Sahib, death place of Baba Guru Nanak) and Gurdwara Panja sahib Hassanabdal.