A Gurdwara is born in East Africa

Sikhs first ventured into the new land called Kenya between 1890-1894. During this period the British Colonial Power wanted to construct the Railway line called the Uganda Railway within their territory. This was started in 1894 and a huge number of Sikhs took part in the construction.

 

One of the first places of worship in Kenya was built in Makupa in Mombasa town where the railway originated. When the Railway construction reached Makindu, in April 1901, another temple was built there. After this in 1901, Sikhs built a small Gurdwara near the Retail Market on Landies Road. The plot on which the Gurdwara stands, was allocated to the Sikh Railway workers by  the Railway authorities. The Sikh workers donated part of their hard earned wages towards the construction of the other Gurdwara along Factory Street which was started and completed in 1903. The workers who resided in the surrounding Railway Quarters (that are still intact today and occupied by locals), needed a place of worship where away from home they could keep their faith alive. The Sikh workers were very dedicated to this cause and donated in whatever way possible towards the construction of the Gurdwara.

 

The hundred year old Gurdwara which is still dear to Sangat residing in and out of Kenya. The original design of the Gurdwara had the main hall surrounded by a balcony all around, but with time it became necessary to extend the walls outwards to accommodate the ever increasing congregation. Only a very small part of the original balcony remains today at the rear end of the hall. The Darbar Sahib was designed with four doors, one in each direction, all of which still remain today. These signify the principals of Sikhism - "All people, of all castes and religions are always welcome to the House of the Almighty".

 

After the completion of the Gurdwara, the Sikhs living in the Railway Landies benefited from Guru Darshan, Gurbani Kirtan and Satsang. Many evenings were spent most wisely and advantageously congregating in the new Gurdwara. Since its inception, the Gurdwara has welcomed with open arms Preachers, Religious Scholars and Ragi Jathas from all over the world and it is well reputed the world over. Over the years the Gurdwara has been blessed by the  presence of individuals of deep religious standing from both overseas and locally.

 

A lot of modifications have been done to the premises over time to give it a more modern look but the basic structure has been preserved. The famed Damson trees too have been preserved and give the Gurdwara a hint of its past.

 

Since July 2002, an on going continuous Akhand Path Sewa has been performed at the Gurdwara by Sadh Sangat.

By Tarsem Singh Panesar

 

 

The entire floor of the Gurdwara has been tiled

The new extended kitchen

The new washbay

Rehabilitated Small Darbar Sahib

Langar Khana

Sangat having Langar

For more pictures visit the gallery on the Homepage