Gurudwara Sahib Kuala Lipis, Pahang

By the early years of the 20th Century, there were a few Sikhs in Kuala Lipis, mainly in the Police Force. Some of the Sikhs were contractors who employed general labour from the Punjab. In 1910, these Sikhs commenced the construction of the Gurdwara Sahib on the present site, which is nearly one acre in size. This building was built by sewadars (voluntary workers) who had been brought from Punjab by Sikh contractors. They built this Gurdwara Sahib during their free time. This single storey brick structure with a tiled roof was completed in 1916 at a minimum cost. The building is constructed in the old colonial style with thick walls and a corridor all around. The Granthi's quarters, langgar hall, kitchen and two rooms for Sikh visitors are built on the left side of the Gurdwara Sahib building. The Gurdwara Sahib was built on a raised piece of land. There were 12 steps that led to the main entrance of the Gurdwara Sahib. Over the last 80 years, the land in front of the Gurdwara Sahib has been gradually filled up. As a result, only six steps out of the original 12 remain while the rest are buried underground. The Management Committee comprises of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and seven committee members. There has been no regular Granthi in this Gurdwara Sahib for a long time. The family of the late Bhai Hakam Singh has been doing sewa in this Gurdwara Sahib for the last 40 years i.e. since the 1960's. His sons, Sardar Mohan Singh and Sardar Manjit Singh and their families do the parkash and semapti of the Holy Book, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, and also take care of the Gurdwara Sahib. There are presently eight Sikh families residing around Kuala Lipis who participate in the religious activities in this Gurdwara Sahib. The usual weekly prayers are held on Sunday mornings at 9.00a.m. Courtesy: Sikh Gurudwaras in Malaysia&Singapore Saran Singh Sidhu AMN,PNM,FRNS