Gurudwara Lahura Sahib

Ghowindi, Lahore District - Gurudwara Pathshahi I

The village called Ghowindi is on Lahore-Ghowindi road. It is two kilometer from Ghowindi and the shrine of Jagat Guru called Lahura Sahib is located in this village. Guru Nanak had come to this village from "Jahman" and stayed under the benign shade of a Lahura tree, thus the shrine came to be called Lahura Sahib. Lahura tree is also known as Rahura or Rahira. It bears saffron coloured flowers which usually blossom in the spring and its wood is used for making sarangi (a stringed musical instrument) and other musical Instruments. There used to be a settlement of Gypsies at the time when Gur Dev Ji set foot on this blessed land.

Historical Context

The village of Ghowindi stands about a mile from the India-Pakistan border, opposite the Khalra check-post in India. Guru Nanak arrived at this village from Jahman, and rested beneath a Lahura tree (Tecomella undulata, or desert teak). Some authors claim that Guru had planted the Lahura tree while visiting this village, hence the name Lahura Sahib." Guru Nanak's visit to Ghowindi coincided with festivities celebrating the birth of a son of a gypsy (Vanjara). Bhai Mardana pleaded with Guru Nanak to attend the function because it had been three days since they had their meal. The Guru agreed but instructed Mardana not to beg for food. The Vanjara family, however, took no notice of Mardana who was patiently waiting to be invited to eat. Unfortunately, the infant boy died soon after that, causing the family's joy to turn to lamentation.

Guru Nanak compassionately explained to the grieving family how birth, growth, and death were all preordained and occurred according to God's will-events that are best borne with patience and equanimity. Guru Nanak consoled the bereaved mourners, advising them to surrender to the will of the Almighty. Tradition says that the Guru recited the hymn entitled "Pahire" in Sri Rag on this occasion:

" Pahilai Paharai Rain Kai Vanajaariaa Mitraa Hukam Piaa Garabhaas Aradaas Uradh Tap A(n)tar Kare Vanajaariaa Mitraa Khasam Setee.

In the first watch of the night, O my merchant friend, You were cast into the womb, by the Lord's Command. Upside-down within the womb, you performed penance, O merchant friend, And you prayed to your Lord and Master. (SGGS 74)

Sri Guru Tirath Sangreh (1884) records that the Lahura tree is also known as Rahura in the jungle, and it has similar leaves to the Imli (tamarind)." The following is a description of Gurdwara Lahura Sahib Ghowindi in 1924-1926: - There is a small darbar with residential dwellings around. The village gifted 83 kanals of land. The priest is Soorma Singh. To reach this place from Jallo railway station, follow 11 miles of the dirt path in the southwest direction. A personal ride has to be arranged to visit the site.

Waliullah Khan, in his book Sikh Shrines in West Pakistan (1962), has documented a photograph of a large entrance gate to the gurdwara at Ghowindi." However, no such structure can be found today in the village. There remains an eroded, small, square structure on the outskirts of Ghowindi, which the locals describe used to be a gurdwara once. It is made of exposed brick and is topped with a dome. The sarovar and a well have dried up. Surrounding the ruins are numerous trees, including a tall, bushy Lahura tree, whose lush and leafy branches hang low, almost touching the ground.

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Urban Context

Gurdwara Lahura Sahib - Patshahi Pehli, located in Ghowindi, Lahore District, holds deep spiritual and historical significance. Surrounded by an array of trees, including Fraash, Kiker, Kher, Pīlu, and Neem, the site is renowned for its natural beauty and its healing waters, which are believed to treat skin ailments for the local villagers. These trees not only enhance the sacred space’s spiritual atmosphere but also create a self-sustaining ecosystem with a natural water catchment at its core. In today’s time, the Gurdwara serves as a place of pilgrimage, offering spiritual solace and physical healing. It remains a testament to the harmony between nature and faith, with the trees playing a pivotal role in preserving the sacred landscape and the unique healing phenomenon. Its significance endures, fostering a deep connection between the local community and the natural environment.

Architectural Features and Their Analysis

TThe Gurdwara Lahura Sahib – Patshahi Pehli is set on a modest square or rectangular plan, typical of early Sikh shrines. At its heart lies the Parkash Asthan, the sanctum where the Guru Granth Sahib would have been installed. A circumambulatory passage (parikrama) surrounds the sanctum, facilitating Sikh worship practices and symbolizing devotion and unity. The courtyard around the central structure serves as an open and serene space, likely used for gatherings and meditation.

The construction of the gurdwara reflects its historical era and regional building techniques. It is built using Nanak Shahi bricks, which are smaller, uniform, and durable against weathering. These bricks are held together with lime mortar (kamkor), a traditional mix that provides structural flexibility and durability, ideal for resisting seasonal temperature changes. The structure rests on a slightly elevated plinth, protecting it from seasonal flooding while enhancing its prominence on the site.

Architecturally, the structure features depressed three-centered or multi-foil arches in its doorways and windows, showcasing depth and symmetry. The dome, the centerpiece of the design, is a fluted double-dome structure built with concentric layers of Nanak Shahi bricks, using lime mortar to create stability. It employs pendentives to transition the load from the square base, a classic Sikh architectural feature. At the apex, an inverted lotus and a kalasa finial once adorned the dome, symbolizing divine energy and Sikh identity. The brick dome construction was strengthened by layers of lime plaster and was adorned with intricate frescoes. The interior walls and ceilings were once richly adorned with frescoes and naqashi, featuring floral motifs, arabesques, and geometric patterns painted with natural pigments like ochre, indigo, and red. These frescoes represented local craftsmanship and the spiritual symbolism of Sikhism. The stucco work on the facade included decorative arches and jharokas, adding depth and intricacy. Narrow arched windows and false jharokas on the exterior walls enhanced both functionality and aesthetics. Chamfered corners with fluted pilasters gave verticality to the structure, while cornices added horizontal relief, achieving an architectural balance.

Wood was used extensively in the construction of doors and lintels, most likely crafted from durable and termite-resistant materials such as teak or sheesham. These wooden elements showcased detailed carvings, of geometric and floral motifs reflecting the region's artistic excellence. Plaster, made from a lime and sand mixture, provided a smooth finish to both interior and exterior surfaces, protecting the bricks and serving as the base for intricate fresco work. The flooring was originally constructed from marble or stone slabs, while later interventions may have added blue or green glazed ceramic tiles, indicating possible colonial influences. A boundary wall initially enclosed the gurdwara complex, defining the sacred space and protecting it from external disturbances. This wall also established a physical and symbolic separation from its surroundings. The entrances to the gurdwara likely included openings on all four sides, demonstrating the Sikh ethos of inclusivity and openness.

Over time, the gurdwara has suffered extensive structural decay. Cracks, fallen bricks, and erosion have significantly weakened its stability. The once-vibrant lime plaster and frescoes have either faded or been vandalized, leaving behind faint traces of their former grandeur. The Nanak Shahi bricks have eroded, compromising the structural integrity further. Seasonal flooding and urban encroachments have caused parts of the boundary wall to vanish, while unchecked vegetation has overtaken portions of the site, accelerating its deterioration. However, despite its dilapidated state, the architectural elements that remain—such as fragments of frescoes, the deteriorating dome, and wooden carvings—offer a glimpse into the historical and spiritual significance of this sacred structure.

Current State

The site embodies both unity and division, reverence and neglect, memory and amnesia. Addressing these contradictions requires a nuanced approach that balances historical fidelity with contemporary relevance. By fostering interfaith understanding, empowering local stakeholders, and leveraging institutional support, Lahura Sahib can be transformed from a relic of the past into a living testament to Pakistan's rich and diverse heritage.