GURDWARA SAHIB TUMPAT, KELANTAN
No. 341 Jalan Stesen, 16200 Tumpat, Kelantan
In the early 1920’s, a few hundred Sikhs were employed as construction workers to build the East Coast railway line. This railway track commenced in Gemas in the State of Negeri Sembilan, passed through the State of Pahang and terminated in Tumpat in the State of Kelantan.
The Sikhs constructed a Gurdwara Sahib in Tumpat on a piece of land about 3/4 of an acre in size in the 1920’s.
As the original Gurdwara building was getting old, the Sikh sangat of Tumpat decided to build a new Gurdwara Sahib. In 1964 a new wooden building was built on stilts at a cost of RM10,000.00. Subsequently, the area below the Gurdwara Sahib building was walled up and converted into the langgar hall.
Some of the early Granthi’s who served in this Gurdwara Sahib were Bhai Kishen Singh in the 1920’s, Bhai Tahil Singh and Bhai Bhagel Singh in the 1930’s, and the late Cpl Bachan Singh in the 1970’s. From 1980 onwards, Sardarni Harnam Kaur wife of the late Sardar Dalip Singh has been taking care of the Gurdwara Sahib and doing the parkash and semapti of the Holy Book, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Since 1996, the Granthi’s duties are being performed by her daughter, Bibi Jaswant Kaur (Rani) who is also the Secretary cum Treasurer. During major functions in this Gurdwara Sahib, the Granthi from the Gurdwara Sahib Kota Bahru is brought here to conduct the respective religious ceremonies.
From 1970 to 2000, Sub Inspector (Rtd) Sardar Gormok Singh from Kuala Krai conducted all religious functions held in the Gurdwara Sahib Tumpat. He is also the advisor as well as one of the trustees. The second trustee is Headmaster (Rtd) Sardar Mahinder Singh.
There is presently only one Sikh family in Tumpat, who reside next to the Gurdwara Sahib premises and take care of the Gurdwara Sahib.
The weekly prayer is held on Fridays at 10.00a.m. Sikhs from Kota Bahru and Kuala Krai participate in the religious activities in the Gurdwara Sahib Tumpat.
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