Yahiyaganj Gurudwara in Lucknow all set for major makeover

The historical Yahiyaganj Gurudwara in Lucknow is set for a major facelift as the Uttar Pradesh tourism department has decided to develop it as a heritage and tourism site with a budget of Rs 2 crore.

The move aims to preserve the historical legacy of the gurudwara and enhance the quality experience of visitors.

State Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh stated the development work would be done preserving the gurudwara’s historical character. The approved fund is planned to be used for improving visitor facilities, beautification, better accessibility and modern amenities. 

“Yahiyaganj is not only a sacred place, but it also represents our cultural inheritance and social harmony,” principal secretary of tourism, culture and religious endowments Amrit Abhijat said, thereby making the project central to the state’s tourism policy.

The gurudwara was constructed in the 17th century in memory of the ninth Sikh Guru, Tegh Bahadur, who stayed in the site for three days in 1670 while travelling from Patna Sahib to Anandpur Sahib through Varanasi, Ayodhya and Jaunpur. Just two years later, his son Gobind Singh, who later became the tenth Sikh Guru, spent more than two months there with his mother Mata Gujri and uncle Kripal Chand on the way from Anandpur Sahib to Patna Sahib.

These prominent visits gave the gurudwara its deep-rooted significance among the Awadh Sikh community in Uttar Pradesh.

The gurudwara is also known to have some significant possessions in its art gallery. These include hukamnamas, which are hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib given as orders to Sikhs, issued by Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh, and a manuscript of the Guru Granth Sahib having the opening page that carries the Mool Mantar written by Guru Tegh Bahadur. 

These form a collection holding a unique historical as well as spiritual value for those interested in the Sikh heritage.  

A large number of devotees throng the site during 'Prakash Utsav' (Festival of Light) to take part in kirtan and langar. Thus, the new project has also focused on developing a more convenient space for large gatherings to enable better movement inside the complex.