| |
|
A view of the Golden Temple (Photo: Courtesy Dawn Studio, Amritsar)
|
There are a number of
important gurdwaras built all over the world that not only mark the
travels of the Gurus, but also showcase the reach of the faith. The
imprints of the Gurus remain etched on the rocks of Hassan Abdal or
Panja Sahib, and Nankana Sahib. The last, the birthplace of Guru
Nanak, is just a stone’s throw from the Wagah border. Today, these
and other gurdwaras in Pakistan are suffering because of sheer neglect
and lack of proper patronage either by the PGPC or the SGPC. The jathas
that go from India are but a yearly ritual —a symbolic trip that
pleases none. Concerted efforts should be made to ensure that the
Sikhs are allowed to visit their holy places in Pakistan on a regular
basis.
Across the Khyber Pass lies Afghanistan.
Ten historic gurdwaras, from Jalalabad to Kabul to Ghazni, lie today in
a state of penury and neglect. The Taliban rule and the war that
followed has robbed them of their lustre and grace. They are in need of
rehabilitation as much as the gurdwara in Iraq.
|
The oldest gurdwara in California, USA, is at Stockton
|
The situation is far
better in the USA. There are so many gurdwaras dotting the Eastern
Seaboard and California that one could mistake it to be Punjab. In the
1910s, when the immigration rush from Punjab into the Imperial Valley
commenced, the first gurdwara of the sea-weary Sikhs came into existence
at Stockton.
For the Sikhs settled in
California, the El Subrante Gurdwara in San Francisco, in downtown
Sacramento, in Yuba City offer spiritual solace. They congregate every
Sunday for prayers and langar though many sit down on
tables and benches now to partake of the langar.
Across the ocean, London
has several gurdwaras. Vietnam had two gurdwaras within the capital
city.
|
