# Gurdwara Chowa Sahib | Sacred Spring at Rohtas Fort > Visit Gurdwara Chowa Sahib at Rohtas Fort, Jhelum — where Guru Nanak is believed to have created a sacred spring. A key Sikh pilgrimage site in Pakistan. ![Gurdwara Chowa Sahib](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/thumb.php?f=Rohtas%20Fort%20view%20of%20a%20Havelli.jpg&w=1200) Historical UNESCO World Heritage Site national # Gurdwara Chowa Sahib Get Directions Share: Entry: Dress Code: Gurdwara Chowa Sahib is a historically significant Sikh shrine situated at the northern edge of the ancient Rohtas Fort, near Jhelum in Punjab, Pakistan. The name derives from the Punjabi word "chowa," meaning a natural spring, and the gurdwara commemorates the site where Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, is believed to have miraculously created a water spring during one of his spiritual journeys known as udasi. Positioned near the Talaqi Gate of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rohtas Fort, the gurdwara stands on the banks of the River Ghan (also known as the Kahan River), approximately 18 kilometres from Jhelum city and 8 kilometres from the town of Dina. The shrine is revered as one of the most sacred Sikh sites in Pakistan and forms a prominent landmark along the country's Sikh Heritage Trail. The gurdwara complex features a three-storey structure built in a style that blends 19th-century Sikh and Mughal architectural traditions. The main prayer hall, known as the Darbar Sahib, houses the Guru Granth Sahib — the eternal Sikh scripture — while the Langar Hall, named Guru Ramdas Hall, provides community meals to all visitors irrespective of their faith or background, embodying the Sikh principle of seva (selfless service). One of the most distinctive features of the complex is its sacred pool, or sarovar, believed to be fed by the same natural spring that Guru Nanak is said to have created during his visit. Pilgrims come from across the world to collect this water, considered holy by the Sikh community. The spring continues to flow to this day and also supplies water to the surrounding local area. After the 1947 Partition of the Indian subcontinent, the local Sikh population migrated to India, leaving the gurdwara unoccupied and gradually falling into disrepair. For more than seven decades, the structure suffered significant deterioration due to neglect and environmental exposure. A major restoration project was launched in 2019, spearheaded by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) of Pakistan and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), with financial contributions from the UK Sikh diaspora and support from organisations such as Ranjit Nagara, a Sikh heritage group based in the United States. The restored gurdwara was reopened on 3 August 2019 to coincide with the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Today, Gurdwara Chowa Sahib attracts Sikh pilgrims and heritage tourists from across the globe, particularly those visiting Pakistan under the cross-border pilgrimage arrangements that have grown since the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor in 2019. The site continues to be an active place of worship and community gathering, serving as a powerful symbol of Sikh spiritual heritage preserved within the landscape of historic Punjab. ## Significance Gurdwara Chowa Sahib holds profound spiritual and cultural importance for the global Sikh community. The site is believed to mark the spot where Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, performed one of his most celebrated miracles — the creation of a life-giving spring in an otherwise arid and saline landscape. This event is understood by Sikhs as a manifestation of divine grace and Guru Nanak's deep compassion for the suffering of others, particularly his beloved companion Bhai Mardana. The spring itself is regarded as sacred, and many pilgrims travel great distances to drink from or collect its water, believing it to carry spiritual blessings. The gurdwara embodies the core Sikh values of sewa (selfless service), satsang (holy congregation), and simran (meditation on the divine name), making it a living centre of spiritual practice rather than merely a historical monument. Culturally, the site stands as one of the most important Sikh pilgrimage destinations in Pakistan, forming a key node on the country's Sikh Heritage Trail. Its location within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rohtas Fort complex adds to its significance as a site of intersecting religious and historical value. The annual celebrations on Guru Nanak Jayanti — observed on the full moon of the Kattak month — draw large numbers of pilgrims for ardas, kirtan (devotional singing), and community langar. The gurdwara's restoration has also become a symbol of interfaith goodwill and cross-border cultural preservation, demonstrating the capacity of communities across national and religious divides to protect their shared heritage. ## Founding Story Gurdwara Chowa Sahib (Urdu: گردوارہ چوآ صاحب; literally: "Gurudwara of the exalted spring") is a renovated gurdwara located at the northern edge of the Rohtas Fort, near Jhelum, Pakistan. Situated near the fort's Talaqi gate, the gurdwara commemorates the site where Guru Nanak is popularly believed to have created a water-spring during one of his journeys known as udasi. But parkash of Guru Granth Sahib is not there. The first commemorative structure was built by Charat Singh, who installed a sarovar pool, and area for recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib. The current building dates from 1834, and was commissioned by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Ranjit Singh's general Gurmukhi Singh Lamba played an important role in maintaining the gurdwara. After the takeover of the Punjab by Ranjit Singh, Gurmukh Lamba captured Rohtas Fort from the local Gakhar chief Raja Noor Khan, son of Raja Fazaldad Khan, in 1825. Due to the enmity of main brothers Raja Gulab Singh and Dhian Singh (Dogra Raja's) having influence over Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the fort was given to Mohar Singh. But when Mohar Singh retired to Banaras against the wishes of the Maharaja, the fort and the contingent of seven hundred horses were placed under Gurmukh Singh Lamba. Thus making his command long (Lambi), he was popularly addressed by the Maharaja as Lamba Sardar. ## Historical Timeline 1834 ### Event in 1834 and was commissioned by Maharaja Ranjit Singh 2020 ### Event in 2020 a Sikh community organization based in USA, Ranjit Nagara, took over the rehabilitation and renovati ## Detailed History The history of Gurdwara Chowa Sahib is rooted in the travels of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder and first Guru of Sikhism, who undertook several extended spiritual journeys known as udasis across the Indian subcontinent and beyond. During his fourth udasi, believed to have taken place in the early 16th century, Guru Nanak and his devoted companion Bhai Mardana are said to have journeyed through the region near present-day Jhelum in Punjab. According to tradition, after spending approximately 40 days at the nearby Tilla Jogian temples, the two travellers stopped to rest at the rocky terrain near what is now Rohtas Fort. Legend holds that Bhai Mardana was overcome by intense thirst in the arid landscape, where the available water was saline and unfit for drinking. Guru Nanak is believed to have struck the ground with his cane, dislodging a stone, whereupon a fresh and pure spring of water miraculously emerged and quenched Bhai Mardana's thirst. This spring — the chowa — is said to have been flowing ever since and remains the spiritual heart of the gurdwara complex. The site gained further historical prominence during the reign of the Mughal emperor Sher Shah Suri, who constructed the imposing Rohtas Fort adjacent to the spring in the mid-16th century. It is recorded that Sher Shah Suri himself attempted to redirect or relocate the spring uphill for the fort's use but was unsuccessful — an episode that deepened the spring's reputation as a miraculous and inviolable source. The first formal commemorative structure at the site was built by Sardar Charat Singh, grandfather of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who also installed a sarovar (sacred pool) and a space for the recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib. The current gurdwara building was commissioned in 1834 by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, ruler of the Sikh Empire, who endowed the site with land grants and annual financial provisions for its upkeep. Following the 1947 Partition of the subcontinent, the gurdwara was abandoned as Sikhs migrated to India. It remained largely unattended for over 72 years until a formal restoration programme began in August 2019 under the ETPB and PSGPC. Restoration employed traditional lime-based plaster techniques and was co-funded by the UK Sikh diaspora community. The gurdwara was ceremonially reopened in August 2019, marking a significant moment in the preservation of Sikh heritage in Pakistan and welcoming international pilgrims once again. ## Structures in the Complex ### Darbar Sahib (Main Prayer Hall) Prayer Hall The principal prayer hall of the gurdwara complex, housing the Guru Granth Sahib under a decorated canopy. The hall is the focal point of all religious ceremonies, kirtan recitals, and congregational worship. It occupies the main floor of the three-storey gurdwara building and features arched doorways and natural lighting from the structure's thirty-two windows. ### Sacred Sarovar (Holy Pool) Sacred Pool A sacred pool (sarovar) installed by Sardar Charat Singh and believed to be fed by the natural spring that Guru Nanak is said to have created. Pilgrims come to the sarovar to collect and drink the holy water, which is considered to carry spiritual blessings. The pool remains one of the most revered features of the complex. ### Guru Ramdas Hall (Langar Hall) Community Kitchen and Dining Hall Named in honour of Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru and founder of the langar tradition, this hall serves as the community kitchen and dining space of the gurdwara. Free meals are prepared and served here to all visitors regardless of faith, caste, or social standing, embodying the Sikh principle of equality and selfless service. ### The Sacred Spring (Chowa) Natural Sacred Site The natural spring at the heart of the gurdwara complex and the reason for the site's existence and name. The spring is believed to have been miraculously created by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and continues to flow to this day. It is both a spiritual focal point for pilgrims and a practical water source for the surrounding area. ### Main Gurdwara Building Historic Religious Building The three-storey main building commissioned in 1834 by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, featuring thick stone and brick walls approximately four feet wide, thirty-two windows across multiple floors, and a distinctive cupola crowning the roofline. The structure blends 19th-century Sikh and Mughal architectural styles and was restored in 2019 using traditional lime-plaster techniques. ## Visitor Information ### Dress Code Head must be covered at all times inside the gurdwara premises; headscarves and scarves are available at the entrance. Shoes must be removed before entering ### Photography Generally permitted in the outer courtyard and gardens; seek permission from gurdwara management before photographing inside the Darbar Sahib ### Etiquette Maintain silence and reverence in the Darbar Sahib; refrain from smoking, consuming alcohol, and bringing non-vegetarian food onto the premises; bow before the Guru Granth Sahib upon entering the prayer hall ## Climate & Best Time to Visit ## Accommodation ### Nearby Hotels Available in nearby area ## Langar (Free Community Kitchen) The Guru Ramdas Hall can accommodate a substantial number of devotees; capacity is expanded during festival periods and major pilgrimages Seating Capacity ## Community Services ### Charitable Programs Free langarReligious services ## Architecture The current gurdwara structure, commissioned in 1834 during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, exemplifies the architectural traditions of the Sikh Empire blended with Mughal design influences prevalent across Punjab. The building rises across three storeys and is constructed with thick stone and brick walls estimated to be approximately four feet wide, reflecting the robust building methods of the 19th century. The facade is punctuated by thirty-two windows distributed across multiple floors, allowing natural light to filter into the interior spaces and giving the structure an open and airy character. The complex includes a main prayer hall (Darbar Sahib) on the principal floor, a langar hall named the Guru Ramdas Hall, and a sacred sarovar (pool) fed by the natural spring. A distinctive cupola crowns the roofline, adding elegance and verticality to the structure in the manner of 19th-century Sikh gurdwara design. During the 2019 restoration project, traditional lime-based plaster techniques were employed to repair deteriorated sections, ensuring that no alterations were made to the original design philosophy — preserving the building's historical character and material authenticity while reinforcing its structural integrity for future generations. Architectural Style: Sikh Gurdwara architecture ## Sarovar (Sacred Pool) ## Structures in the Complex ### Darbar Sahib (Main Prayer Hall) Prayer Hall The principal prayer hall of the gurdwara complex, housing the Guru Granth Sahib under a decorated canopy. The hall is the focal point of all religious ceremonies, kirtan recitals, and congregational worship. It occupies the main floor of the three-storey gurdwara building and features arched doorways and natural lighting from the structure's thirty-two windows. ### Sacred Sarovar (Holy Pool) Sacred Pool A sacred pool (sarovar) installed by Sardar Charat Singh and believed to be fed by the natural spring that Guru Nanak is said to have created. Pilgrims come to the sarovar to collect and drink the holy water, which is considered to carry spiritual blessings. The pool remains one of the most revered features of the complex. ### Guru Ramdas Hall (Langar Hall) Community Kitchen and Dining Hall Named in honour of Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru and founder of the langar tradition, this hall serves as the community kitchen and dining space of the gurdwara. Free meals are prepared and served here to all visitors regardless of faith, caste, or social standing, embodying the Sikh principle of equality and selfless service. ### The Sacred Spring (Chowa) Natural Sacred Site The natural spring at the heart of the gurdwara complex and the reason for the site's existence and name. The spring is believed to have been miraculously created by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and continues to flow to this day. It is both a spiritual focal point for pilgrims and a practical water source for the surrounding area. ### Main Gurdwara Building Historic Religious Building The three-storey main building commissioned in 1834 by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, featuring thick stone and brick walls approximately four feet wide, thirty-two windows across multiple floors, and a distinctive cupola crowning the roofline. The structure blends 19th-century Sikh and Mughal architectural styles and was restored in 2019 using traditional lime-plaster techniques. ## Events & Celebrations ### Religious Festival #### Guru Nanak Jayanti (Gurpurab) The most significant annual event at Gurdwara Chowa Sahib, celebrated on the full moon of the Kattak month (typically November). Pilgrims gather for continuous kirtan (devotional singing), ardas (prayers), and recitation from the Guru Granth Sahib, followed by large-scale community langar. The site draws Sikh pilgrims from Pakistan and abroad during this period. #### Baisakhi Celebrations Baisakhi, celebrated in mid-April, marks both the Sikh New Year and the founding of the Khalsa in 1699. The gurdwara hosts special prayers, kirtan, and langar to mark this important occasion in the Sikh calendar, attracting local and visiting devotees. ### Religious Ceremony #### Guru Granth Sahib Akhand Path Akhand Path — an uninterrupted, continuous reading of the entire Guru Granth Sahib over approximately 48 hours — is performed on special religious occasions and anniversaries at the gurdwara. Sewadars and visiting granthis take turns reading in relay, with the congregation gathering to listen and participate in the closing ceremony. ### Pilgrimage #### Sikh Heritage Pilgrimage Visits Organised pilgrimage groups from India and the global Sikh diaspora visit Gurdwara Chowa Sahib as part of Pakistan's Sikh Heritage Trail. These visits, facilitated through bilateral pilgrimage agreements and the ETPB, have increased significantly since the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor in 2019. ### Cultural Event #### Annual Restoration Commemoration An annual commemoration marking the August 2019 reopening of the restored gurdwara, reflecting on the significance of its preservation and the contributions of the international Sikh community to its restoration. The event includes prayers, cultural programmes, and thanksgiving ceremonies. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### General In Punjabi, 'chowa' means a natural spring or stream. 'Chowa Sahib' therefore translates as 'the exalted spring' or 'the revered spring,' referring to the miraculous spring that Guru Nanak Dev Ji is believed to have created at this site during his travels. ### Spiritual Significance The gurdwara is believed to mark the site where Guru Nanak Dev Ji miraculously struck the ground with his cane during his fourth udasi (spiritual journey), causing a fresh spring to emerge from the otherwise saline and arid land to quench the thirst of his companion Bhai Mardana. The spring is regarded as a divine blessing and continues to flow to this day. ### Location The gurdwara is located at the northern edge of Rohtas Fort, near the Talaqi Gate, in Jhelum district, Punjab, Pakistan. It sits on the banks of the River Ghan (Kahan River), approximately 18 km from Jhelum city and 8 km from the town of Dina. ### History The first commemorative structure at the site is believed to have been built by Sardar Charat Singh, grandfather of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The current three-storey gurdwara building was commissioned in 1834 by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, ruler of the Sikh Empire, who also endowed the site with land and annual funds. The restoration project began in August 2019 under the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), funded in part by the UK Sikh diaspora. The gurdwara was ceremonially reopened on 3 August 2019 to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. ### Visitor Information Yes, Gurdwara Chowa Sahib is open to visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. All visitors are expected to cover their heads, remove their shoes before entering, and maintain respectful conduct on the premises. Entry is free of charge, and all visitors are welcome to partake in the community langar. The cooler months from October to March offer the most comfortable visiting conditions. The most auspicious and vibrant time to visit is during Guru Nanak Jayanti, typically in November, when large numbers of pilgrims gather for kirtan, ardas, and community langar celebrations. Suggest an Edit Upload Photos ![Marker](https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/images/marker-icon.png) Gurdwara Chowa Sahib Leaflet Get Directions → ### Contribute Help improve this page. Suggest edits, add photos, or share information about this Gurdwara. Suggest an Edit