Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha
Sikh Temple, Singapore
The gurudwara was founded in 1918 by Baba Karam Singh Hothi. Religious celebrations include, among other functions, prayers in the morning and evening. Social ceremonies such as engagements and marriages of sikh couples are arranged. There are about 25,000 members of the sikh community in the area.
Address: 90/92 Wilkie Road, Singapore 0922 (Singapore)
Phone: 337-6301
Gurdwara Sahib Sri Guru Singh Sabha is one of the oldest Sikh institutions in Singapore established by the early immigrant Sikh community in 1918.
The first building was located close to the old Central Sikh Temple at Queens Street. The congregation used rented premises until the property at 90 Wilkie Road was acquired in 1932. Extensive structural changes were made to prepare the congregational hall on the first floor. In 1968 an adjoining plot of land was purchased for the construction of an entirely new premises. Construction on this new building began in 1978 and was completed in 1980.
The new gurdwara was declared officially opened in 1984. The old premises was converted into a ‘jangh ghar’ where receptions for wedding events were held for a short period. This use for the old building was discontinued and has since been converted to a Gurmat Parchar Centre for use by the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Youth Wing for Sikhi parchar and as accomodations for residential camps (samelans) during schools holidays.
Gurdwara Sahib Sri Guru Singh Sabha is one of the oldest Sikh institutions in Singapore established by the early immigrant Sikh community in 1918.
The first building was located close to the old Central Sikh Temple at Queens Street. The congregation used rented premises until the property at 90 Wilkie Road was acquired in 1932. Extensive structural changes were made to prepare the congregational hall on the first floor. In 1968 an adjoining plot of land was purchased for the construction of an entirely new premises. Construction on this new building began in 1978 and was completed in 1980. The new gurdwara was declared officially opened in 1984. The old premises was converted into a ‘jangh ghar’ where receptions for wedding events were held for a short period. This use for the old building was discontinued and has since been converted to a Gurmat Parchar Centre for use by the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Youth Wing for Sikhi parchar and as accomodations for residential camps (samelans) during schools holidays.
From its early days, the sabha has organised classes to teach Punjabi to Sikh children in Singapore. In 1947, the sabha provided premises and equipment for the Khalsa Punjabi School. The school operated from this premises till it moved to the multi-purpose building of the Singapore Khalsa Association in 1971.
The sabha was actively involved in arranging remittances for flood relief in the Punjab in addition to fund raising / donations drives for building projects involving numerous school, colleges and gurdwaras in Punjab. Today the sabha has been active in contributing to multi-religious and multi-cultural matters in Singapore.
Sri Guru Singh Sabha has been active in encouraging closer cohesion of the Sikh community in Singapore, being supportive in the organisation of festivals like Vesakhi, Gurpurabs and National Day celebrations.
The launching of the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Youth Wing is a strong endorsement of the support the sabha has for Sikh youth activities. Samelans for youths are held twice yearly in it premises together which brought Sikh youths together in learning and appreciating our culture and heritage.
Plans are underway to make major renovations to the premises which will include a lift-installation for the 3-storeys of the gurdwara including repairs & restorations (R&R) to the old premises to make permanent fixtures for multi-purpose use, as well as a car-park.
Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha
90/92 Wilkie Road, Singapore 228086.
Telephone: (65) 63376301 Fax: (65) 63375160
E-mail: info@singhsabha.org
The Sikhs who originated from the Majha regions of Punjab established the Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Singapore. This Sabha was registered with the Government on 25th June 1918. The first office of this Sabha was rented at Number 178 Queen Street. Later, this Sabha acquired a piece of property located at Number 4, Queen Street near Bras Basah Road.
The first committee members of this Sabha were Sardar Karam Singh Thatian, President, Sardar Ujagar Singh Kot Thandal and Sardar Fagan Singh Jewahar Singh Wala who were both Vice Presidents, Sardar Lall Singh Manan, Secretary, Sardar Narain Singh Mari Panua, Assistant Secretary, Sardar Santa Singh Sedukae, Treasurer and three committee members.
In 1922, this Sabha converted its premises in Queen Street into a Gurdwara Sahib. Bhai Partap Singh was appointed the first Granthi of this Gurdwara Sahib.
On 17th August_ 1932, the Sri Guru Singh Sabha purchased a property at Number 92, Wilkie Road for Straits Settlements $10,875.49. The building was renovated and converted into the Gurdwara Sahib. This building was used as a Gurdwara Sahib until 1981 after which it has been used for general activities. On 21st August 1957, the adjoining property at Number 90, Wilkie Road was purchased for Malayan $36,000.00.
In 1975, the Management Committee of this Sabha decided to build a new Gurdwara Sahib at Number 90 Wilkie Road. A building committee was formed to construct the new Gurdwara Sahib building and raise donations. This committee comprised of the President, Sardar Kapoor Singh Bhambhri assisted by Sardar Gurnam Singh Bhathal, Sardar Kartar Singh Saloh, Sardar Khusal Singh Tharoo, Sardar Chanan Singh Khanowal, Sardar Makhan Singh Jaura, Sardar Doola Singh and Sardar Tarlok Singh Lohke.
The foundation stone of the new Gurdwara Sahib building was laid by the Panj Piyarae on 7th September 1975 (22′ Badon, Samvat 506 Nanakshahi). The Honourable Mr. Ong Teng Cheong officially declared the newly completed Gurdwara Sahib building open on 15th October 1981. This new four storey Gurdwara Sahib building is very beautiful. The ground floor has the Granthi’s quarters as well as five rooms for visiting ragis or parcharak jathas. The Guru Ka Langgar hall and kitchen are located on the second floor. The third floor is used as a car park. The fourth floor is used as the Darbar Sahib where the Sikh Holy Book, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, is kept. The new Gurdwara Sahib building was constructed at a cost of S$15,000,000.00. This Gurdwara Sahib has two entrances, one is located at Number 90 Wilkie Road and the other at Number 7 Opar Road.
The Sri Guru Singh Sabha played an important role in assisting the widows in the Ashram during the Japanese occupation of Singapore (1942 – 1945). Since then, this Sabha has played a major role in the advancement of Sikh religious education and Punjabi classes in collaboration with the Khalsa Dharmak Sabha. The previous Gurdwara Sahib building is now used to conduct Punjabi classes.
The Khalsa Jiwan Sudhar Sabha office is also located in this Gurdwara Sahib premises. There is an Assistant Registrar of Marriages who officiates at Sikh weddings in this Gurdwara Sahib when called upon to do so. The actual marriage ceremony is performed by the Granthi in accordance with Sikh rites.
The Management Committee comprises of the President, Secretary, Treasurer, their Assistants and five committee members. The present Trustees of this Sabha are Sardar Doola Singh Chamba, Sardar Kartar Singh Dalamnangal, Sardar Paramjit Singh Bal and Sardar Sawaran Singh Vancheri.
About 500 Sikh families participate in the religious activities held in this Gurdwara Sahib. The weekly prayers are held on Sunday mornings from 7.00a.m. to 11.30a.m. The Sikh Naujawan programmes are also held on Sundays from 10.00a.m. to 12.00p.m. The Isteri Satsang programmes are held on Thursday afternoons from 1.00p.m. to 4.30p.m.
Reference: "Ithas Khalsa Dharmak Sabha Singapore" by Sardar Tara Singh Hathesi, Gujaranwalia, Singapore, Page 218 – 219 (Published by Khalsa Dharmak Sabha, Singapore – April 1985)
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