Jhelum Gurdwara Bhai Karam singh- Pakistan

Address

Jhelum Gurdwara Bhai Karam singh- River Rd, Bagh Mohalla Jhelum, Punjab 49600, Pakistan

Diety

Guru Dev Ji

Introduction

Jhelum is an ancient city with a number of historical sites which getting out of the site because of they have been neglected over the time and often left abandoned. The “Bhai Karam Singh Gurdawara” is one of those sites. The sacred site of Gurdwara Bhai Karam Singh is showing its splendour in the Bagh Muhalla, on the river bank of Jhelum. No exact date is mentioned when this Gurdawara was built, but the sign plates shows that it dates back to early 1920s. It is a beautiful gurdwara, but the neglect has taken its toll. This beautiful building has fallen into disrepair and is mostly in a dilapidated state. Even then, its beauty captivates an observer.

Puranic Significance

It is a beautiful building painted in yellow and has many wooden doors and windows. The main prayer hall has beautiful wooden cupboards and balconies. The takht, a platform still exists in the main prayer hall. There is a vast courtyard at the back of the Darbar Hall. The river Jhelum flows quite close by, though a high protective embankment blocks the view. But from the roof, it is quite visible. Main hall has three main doors & three windows that open on South-East side towards the Jhelum River. This side of the building is now fading; the red bricks are showing up; harsh weathers and negligence of respective department are its dominant factors. Walking from one of those three doors there is a big courtyard with view of Jhelum River; which is also decorated with black and white tiles. There would have been a vast and beautiful view of river from the courtyard; but now, like most of our rivers Jhelum is walking ashamed. The courtyard has “Ashnan Gaths” on its both sides. There is also a place for the people to arrive by boat. Stairs on the both (North & West) sides of the courtyard takes you to the first floor. Now days, this building is in use of the CIA department Jhelum and pay rent to Auqaf Department. Lending the building the CIA department somehow is a better step in some ways than leaving it alone for the people and junkies who could change its view in no time. Common people are not allowed to visit the place thus protracting it from invades. People from CIA department told, Many Sikh Yatri come to visit this Gurdawara in Wasakhi & they are put in tears when they see the condition of this building. In the floods of 2010 & 2014, being on the bank of the river the Gurdawara was affected badly.