Gurdwara Janam Asthan

Gurdwara Janam Asthan, also known as Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, is a gurdwara, and one of the holiest sites of Sikhism, located in Nankana Sahib, Punjab, Pakistan. It is situated at the site where Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was born. It is officially listed as a '[List of cultural heritage sites in Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab, Pakistan|Protected Heritage Monument]' by the Government of Punjab, Pakistan; and is managed by the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee under the federal government of Pakistan.

Location

The shrine is located in the town of Nankana Sahib, approximately 65 kilometres from Lahore. Nankana Sahib had previously been known as Rāi Bhoi Kī Talvaṇḍī, but was eventually renamed in honour of Guru Nanak.

Significance

Gurdwara Janam Asthan is believed to be located at the site where Guru Nanak was born to Mehta Kalu and Mata Tripta.
The gurdwara forms part of an ensemble of nine important gurdwaras in Nankana Sahib. The shrine is frequently visited by Sikh yatris as part of a pilgrimage route in Pakistan.

History

The first gurdwara is believed to have been built at the site in the 16th century by the grandson of Guru Nanak, Baba Dharam Chand. The current gurdwara was built by Ranjit Singh in the 19th century.

1921 Massacre

86 Sikhs were killed during the 20 February 1921 Nankana massacre, which took place after a confrontation between supporters of the gurdwara's manager, Mahant Narayan Das, and members of the reformist Akali movement who accused him of both corruption and sexual impropriety.

Conservation

The gurdwara complex is listed on the Protected Heritage Monuments of the Archaeology Department of Punjab.