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The Sikh community of Peshewar maintain the beautiful historic architecture of Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh
May 1, 2014 | By Sikh Siyasat Bureau
Peshawar, Pakistan (April 01, 2014): Mohallah Jogan Shah is one of the oldest abodes of Sikhs in Peshawar. The locality, situated near Dabgari, is home to a historic gurdwara and its own community school, hidden amongst the surrounding lofty buildings.
A view of historic Sikh building at Peshawar
“There are some 6,000 Sikhs that live in the mohallah,” says 50-year-old Pardeep Singh. “This is the area where our ancestors lived and we have maintained our culture, traditions and our own educational system,” added the Sikh proudly.
Bhai Joga Singh Khalsa Dharmic School and Guru Angat Dev Ji Khalsa Dharmic School both impart religious as well as secular education, with a deep focus on Sikh culture, said Pardeep Singh.
The oldest houses run alongside the narrow, but well-paved and seemingly endless maze of streets. The locality is circumscribed by several gates on all sides, making it perhaps the only gated community of the city.
A majestic symbol of Sikh architecture, the centuries-old Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh is located in the midst of Peshawar and is one of the two Sikh Gurdwaras in the city. The spacious three-storey structure is beautifully inlaid with mirror work and is visited twice a day by local Sikh sangat in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Sikh Children in Peshawar
Due to the deteriorating law and order situation, however, another wall has been raised around the building with vigilant police personnel standing on guard around the clock.
“Our gurdwara has been constructed in honour of Bhai Joga Singh, who was venerated in Peshawar, not only amongst Sikhs, but Pukhtuns as well,” says a local elder, Ameer Singh.
“There used to be a fair held near the gurdwara every year; however, it has been stopped due to the security situation of the city,” he added nostalgically.
Besides various folk tales associated with Bhai Joga Singh, locals believe a spring used to run through the locality, which was also named after him. This spring – no longer in existence – was said to be famous throughout the Peshawar Valley for its miraculous healing powers and was visited by pilgrims from far and wide.
Several magnificent structures were erected during the Sikh rule of the city from 1823 to 1848. While certain buildings, like Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh are well-kept, there are many others in dilapidated conditions. The Sikhs of Peshawar say they do their best to keep their heritage alive, however, once an old building collapses it is near impossible to restore it to its original form.
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Related Topics: Sikhs in Pakistan, Sikhs in Peshwar
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