Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi
Punjab which is considered a land of five rivers does not only have fertile lands, it has been quite fertile in producing and storing history. It not only saw many religions knocking it's doors, one actually took birth here, the Sikkhism. The land is strewn with many grand remnants of the holy sites of the Sikh Faith. Many have fallen prey to our typical national apathy towards the epithets of history in general and non-Islamic in particular. One such forgotten pillar of Sikh history is Pehli Patshahi Gurdwara. It is one of a dilapidated holy sites of Sikhism and is located in suburbs of Lahore. Not much known to the local people and almost unexplored by tourism buffs. Here,in this piece, history of this gurdwara is not thoroughly investigated as the scope of this blog post is the general travel guide for reaching to this historic site. This ancient gurdwara is walled from all the sides. There is a breach in the wall that touches a metal road and it is supposed to be the entrance for this abandoned and derelict gurdwara. If we search the online archives there are many sikh gurdwaras by this name. One of them is in Delhi gate, walled city Lahore. However, this particular gurdwara is known as Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi , Manak, Lahore. According to the information, there used to be a large pond as well that disappeared after the partition. While searching about the historical background of this antediluvian site i found this interesting piece[Reference].
When Jagat Guru came to village Pajian from Manga, the villagers initially welcomed him but later made fun of him. Jagat Guru left the village and stayed at this place outside the village. Some follower asked Guru Dev Ji as to why he had moved out of the village. Guru Ji said those were "Paji" (mean) and hence the village cane to be called Pajian and -the mound came to he known as Manak. It subsequently developed into a big village.
The 3-storeyed building of Gurdwara had been built beautifully and it was spacious. The complex incJudpd a Langar Hall, Prakashasthan, inn, foyer, and a diwan hall built like a haradari. There were Samadhs of Udasi Sadhus and a water tank close to the shrine. The tank has now become a stagnant pool. These buildings are in the process of decay and may become a heap of dust. The central building collapsed during the last two years.
82 ghumaon of land has been gifted by villagers to the Gurdwara. The Jats. of this village belong to the same grandfather. Some of them were converted to Islam, others became Sikhs while the rest remained Hindus. Visakhi fair is held and during the fair the villagers are not allowed to cook in their homes. All, irrespective of their religion, take food from Langar. It is managed by Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus alternately for one day. After 1947 a girls school was housed in it but later on the premises was left vacant. When refugees from Mewat arrived they were settled here and they did not bother to maintain it. Floral designs on the walls were erased. It was followed by the caving in of roofs. Now the walls too are falling part.
However, as I witnessed this site in the end of January, 2013 there was nothing that can be called as a pool or cistern. Its all flat surface now with a christian poor family residing inside it. They make curtains from canes (vernacularly called 'Chics') for household use. However, they are friendly and allow the visitors to roam freely inside. The old three storied building is now mostly in ruins and the signs of multiple stories are left only on one side of the building. A dome is in good condition and is under the use of the family residing there. The ancient art work can also be seen on the walls. The site as a whole is a reflection of our behavior towards the national heritage.
How to reach there ?
It is very easy to reach there. All you have to follow is the famous Raiwind Road and travel towards North. As you reach never the exit of Jati Umrah, which will be on the west of the road there are two options to reach this site. Both are given below in the maps.
Driving map from Jati Umrah Exit
As you turn on the west road that leads to Sharif Medical complex, turn on this road, drive along till you cross the complex, a few hundred yards a farm road turns left, towards the South and leads straight to the Village of Manak. Remain on the road that circumvents the Village and it will take you directly to the Gurdawara. Or from Sharif Medical Complex you can drive straight up to Sunder road from where you will take a left on the Sundar Road. Follow the blue line as shown in the map and you will reach this historic site. Remember while driving through this route you will pass by the gate #1 of Sundar Industrial Estate only. If you see gate # 2 this means you have missed the point for Manak village. In that case you have to turn back. The approximate time required is 15 min drive from Sharif Medical Complex.
Driving map from Raiwind City Bypass
This is a shorter route to this Gurdwara. To adopt this way you have to come straight on raiwind road until you passed by the Establishment of HAIER Pakistan, After that follow the blue line and you will reach Gurdwara in 5-10 min drive.
Do visit this site as it is our national heritage.