Gurdwara Khara Sahib

Mattoo Bhaie Ke, Gujranwala District - Gurudwara Pathshahi VI

Mattu Bhai Ke is a village in the Nowshera Virkaan Tehsil of Gujranwala district of Punjab, Pakistan that holds great historical and spiritual significance for Sikhs. Located about two kilometers southeast of the Police Station Noshehra Virkan, it is home to the Gurdwara Khara Sahib, also known as Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi. This Gurdwara commemorates a pivotal moment in 1620 when Guru Hargobind Ji, the sixth Sikh Guru, made a brief stop here while returning from Kashmir. The site remains a place of deep reverence for Sikhs, symbolizing a lasting connection to Guru Hargobind Ji's teachings and travels. (Amir, 2018)

The site has two structure - the original structure that was used for Sukhasan in the early 1900's and the later structure that has been constructed in 1940-45.

Historical Context

When Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji was staying here a man came and sat close to Patshah after prostrating before him. The man's moustaches had turned yellow due to smoking. Guru Hargobind asked his name. "Hargobind is my name", he replied. Guru Hargobind said, "You carry this name yet you commit offense of smoking". The man quit smoking, sought forgiveness for the past deeds and became a Sikh of Guru Hargobind. This Gurudwara stands in memory of this incident.

The building of the Gurdwara is very attractive, floors are done in black and white tiles and walls are decorated with paintings of flowers. The ceiling too is decorated in floral designs. Many plaques bearing the name of the people who helped in its repair and maintenance and which tell us that it was constructed in 1933 AD.

A fair used to be held on the 7th day of the month of Saawan, a significant cultural event before the partition, highlighted the Gurdwara's role in fostering unity and community.

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Urban Context

The Gurdwara is located adjacent to the main road connecting Farooqabad and Gujranwala. This proximity ensures visibility and ease of access for visitors and pilgrims traveling from nearby urban and rural areas. Itis surrounded by a mix of traditional village houses and modern brick-and-concrete structures. Approximately 40% of the settlements have been converted into three-story modern residences, with several others currently under construction. This gradual transformation reflects the village’s evolving architectural and socio-economic landscape.

Positioned along the same axis as the main Gurdwara building, this smaller structure dates back to the early 1900s and utilizes older construction techniques and materials. It is speculated to have served as a Sukhasan room, a sacred resting place for the Guru Granth Sahib, or as a commemorative space marking the visit of Guru Hargobind. Located near the eastern boundary of the site, the remnants of the Langar Khana indicate its historical function as a communal dining area, central to the Gurdwara’s role in serving devotees and fostering a sense of community. Positioned to the south of the main building, the remnants of the Sarai reflect the Gurdwara’s historical role in offering hospitality and shelter to pilgrims and travelers visiting the site.

Location

Gurdwara Patshahi Chevin - Khara Sahib is situated in the village of Mattoo Bhaie Key, located in the Gujranwala District of Punjab, Pakistan. The Gurdwara is situated within a predominantly rural landscape characterized by agricultural land and village settlements. The surrounding environment consists of low-density housing, open fields, and a network of small streets and pathways typical of rural Punjab. Over time, the absence of urban development has helped preserve the serene and contemplative atmosphere associated with the site, though modern encroachments are starting to affect its surroundings.

Accessibility and Connectivity

The Gurdwara is accessible by road and lies a short distance from the main village thoroughfares. The region is connected via rural roads that link to larger highways in the district. However, the access roads are narrow and primarily unpaved, limiting accessibility for larger vehicles or significant visitor influx. Public transportation is minimal, with the majority of visitors relying on private or local means to reach the site.

Surrounding Settlement

The Gurdwara is surrounded by a small settlement typical of rural Punjab, with modest homes, narrow streets, and scattered shops serving the local community. The settlement is composed of tightly knit residential clusters, reflecting the communal lifestyle of the area. Agricultural fields flank the settlement, emphasizing the agrarian character of the region. While the immediate surroundings are still largely rural, informal encroachments and the establishment of small-scale commercial activities near the Gurdwara are gradually altering its immediate urban fabric.

Urban Integration

The Gurdwara, while historically significant, serves as a prominent landmark for the village of Mattoo Bhaie Key. Its relative height compared to the surrounding village landscape and agricultural fields makes it visible from afar, creating a striking presence in the rural setting.

Architectural Features and Their Analysis

The structure represents a harmonious blend of spiritual devotion and architectural ingenuity, embodying the Sikh heritage's rich traditions.

Spatial Organization

The Gurdwara's layout is organized around a square plan, with a centrally positioned sanctum, known as the Parkash Asthan, surrounded by a circumambulatory path (parikarma) half its size. The sanctum is crowned with a grand dome, emphasizing its spiritual prominence, while an open terrace encircles the parikarma. To the east of the main structure lies the sukhasan, a smaller yet historically significant structure predating the Gurdwara. The absence of a mumty on the terrace above the parikarma is an intriguing architectural choice, possibly reflecting the incomplete status of construction or a deliberate decision to maintain symmetry. The uncovered staircase facilitates rainwater The interiors are marked by detailed fenestrations, with the solid wood doors and windows echoing the intricate patterns found in the Parkash Asthan's ceiling. The peak of the dome's interior reaches an impressive height of 30 feet above the first floor, amplifying the sanctity of the space.

Architectural Features

The Gurdwara's architectural elegance is reflected in its intricate details, as illustrated in the attached sectional drawings and elevations. The structure comprises British brick (measuring 3"x4.5"x9") with a cement plaster finish, originally in white, which remains vibrant even after decades. Influences of classical Greek architecture are evident in the Corinthian-style columns and cement-based decorative elements adorning the façade.

Entrances and Fenestrations

Four doors and eight windows punctuate the structure, allowing natural light to enhance the sanctum's spiritual ambiance.

Terracotta Highlights

The first-floor arches and pilasters are adorned with red terrazzo outlined by yellow terrazzo bands, adding vibrancy to the otherwise subdued palette.

Flooring

The black-and-white checkered marble floor features a rotated square pattern with alternating borders, while the interior under the dome is inished with intricate frescoes in red, blue, and gold tones.

Stucco Work

Religious hymns are inscribed on the four arches within the parikarma, accompanied by wooden ceilings with mirrored details at key points. The sukhasan, constructed from Nanakshahi brick with lime mortar, features lime-plastered exteriors ideal for fresco work. The entrance's multifoil arch retains faint frescoes depicting stories from Guru Nanak's life, despite significant weathering and vandalism.

Dome and Roof Features

The central dome, constructed of reinforced concrete, is a visual and structural masterpiece. The roof tiles above the terrace complement the dome's grandeur. Frescoes with geometric patterns enrich the interior, while the external dome features intricate floral motifs. The sukhasan dome, though smaller, exhibits traces of biofilm and vegetation growth, with its petals partially concealed. The structure's external height is approximately 18.5 feet, with a compact plan of 9.5'x9.5'.

Current State

The Gurdwara's current condition reflects a mix of resilience and vulnerability:
  • Structural Challenges - Exposed reinforcement bars and fallen concrete on the slab's underside are critical concerns.
  • Vegetation Damage - Unwanted growth, including a peepal tree on the first-floor corner, poses a significant threat to the railings, ghumtis, and cornices.
  • Water Intrusion - The uncovered staircase exacerbates dampness within the structure, leading to interior damage.
  • Sukhasan Deterioration - Structural cracks, pest infestation, and faded frescoes mar its historical charm.