# Gurdwara Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha Chakala - History, Timings & Visitor Guide | GurdwaraSahib.in > Visit Gurdwara Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha Chakala, Andheri East Mumbai — founded 1956 by Dr Shamsher Singh Jolly, open 24 hours, free langar Sundays. ![Gurdwara Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha Chakala](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/thumb.php?f=Guru%20Nanak%20Punjabi%20Sabha%20Building%20in%20Chakala%20Mumbai%20India.jpg&w=1200) Historical national # Gurdwara Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha Chakala Get Directions Share: Entry: Dress Code: Gurdwara Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha Chakala is a prominent Sikh place of worship situated in the bustling Chakala neighbourhood of Andheri East, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Located on Andheri Kurla Road, Amrit Nagar, opposite the Holy Family Church, this community gurdwara serves as a vital spiritual and social anchor for the large Sikh population living and working in Mumbai's fast-growing western suburbs. Established in 1956, the gurdwara was born out of a sincere desire to provide the Sikh community of the Andheri area with a local place of prayer and congregational worship, as the nearest gurdwara at the time was a considerable distance away in Khar. The gurdwara complex is far more than just a house of worship. Under the banner of the Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha — the charitable and religious organisation that founded and continues to manage it — the complex includes the Gurdwara itself, a Guru Nanak Charitable Dispensary, and historically served as the founding site of the Guru Nanak Mission High School, which was established in 1967 and has since grown and relocated to a larger campus on Mahakali Caves Road nearby. The charitable dispensary continues to offer medical services including physician, dental, eye, physiotherapy, orthopaedic, Ayurvedic, homoeopathic, and urological consultations, all at subsidised rates, reflecting the Sikh values of sewa (selfless service) and nishkam seva. Devotees and visitors from all communities and religions are warmly welcomed into the gurdwara, in line with the universal and inclusive principles of Sikhism. The gurdwara hosts regular prayers, kirtan (sacred music), and the community kitchen known as langar, which serves a free vegetarian meal every Sunday following the completion of the morning diwan. On significant Sikh occasions such as Guru Nanak Gurpurab and Baisakhi, the gurdwara draws large congregations from across Mumbai and neighbouring areas. Situated in one of Mumbai's most densely populated and commercially active corridors, Gurdwara Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha Chakala stands as a peaceful sanctuary amidst the city's frenetic pace, offering spiritual solace, community solidarity, and charitable outreach to thousands of residents each year. It is a testament to the vision and dedication of its founders, who transformed a modest outhouse kirtan gathering into a full-fledged institution serving the spiritual and social needs of Mumbai's Sikh community across generations. ## Significance Gurdwara Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha Chakala holds deep religious and cultural significance for the Sikh community of Mumbai's western suburbs. Named in honour of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder and first of the ten Sikh Gurus, the gurdwara embodies his core teachings of equality, selfless service, and devotion to the one formless God (Waheguru). The gurdwara's founding philosophy — to serve both the spiritual and material needs of the community — directly reflects Guru Nanak's principle of kirat karo (honest work), vand chhako (share with others), and naam japo (meditate on God's name). As one of the few gurdwaras in Andheri East, Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha Chakala serves as the primary place of congregational Sikh worship for thousands of families residing in the rapidly urbanised Andheri-Chakala corridor. It plays a central role in observing key Sikh religious occasions, including Guru Nanak Gurpurab, Baisakhi, and the Gurpurabs of the other nine Sikh Gurus, bringing together the scattered Sikh diaspora of Mumbai in collective prayer and celebration. Beyond its religious function, the gurdwara is deeply embedded in the social fabric of the neighbourhood. The Guru Nanak Charitable Dispensary attached to the complex extends healthcare at subsidised rates to the poor and disadvantaged, irrespective of their religion, caste, or community. The tradition of langar — free community meals served each Sunday — reinforces the Sikh ideal of universal brotherhood and inclusion. Through the Guru Nanak Mission High School and the dispensary, the gurdwara has influenced the lives of countless Mumbai residents, making it a place of both spiritual sanctuary and practical compassion. ## Nearby Gurdwaras ### Sher-e-punjab Gurudwara Mumbai Suburban District, India 1.2 km away Sher-e-Punjab Gurudwara is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in India. It is situated in India, the birthplace of Sikhism and home to the largest Sikh population in the world. As with all gurdwaras, Sher-e-Punjab Gurudwara welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva). Community ### Gurdwara Sahib Mumbai Suburban District, India 3.5 km away Gurdwara Sahib is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in India. It is situated in India, the birthplace of Sikhism and home to the largest Sikh population in the world. As with all gurdwaras, Gurdwara Sahib welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva). Community ### Guru Nanak Satsang Kalina Gurudwara Mumabi, India 4.2 km away Guru Nanak Satsang Kalina Gurudwara is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in Mumabi, India. It is situated in India, the birthplace of Sikhism and home to the largest Sikh population in the world. As with all gurdwaras, Guru Nanak Satsang Kalina Gurudwara welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva). Community ### Gurudwara Mumbai Suburban District, India 4.4 km away gurudwara is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in India. It is situated in India, the birthplace of Sikhism and home to the largest Sikh population in the world. As with all gurdwaras, gurudwara welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva). Community ## Detailed History The origins of Gurdwara Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha Chakala trace back to the early 1950s, during a period of rapid urban expansion in Mumbai's (then Bombay's) suburban districts. The Andheri area, particularly around Chakala, was witnessing a significant influx of Punjabi Sikh families who had migrated to the city following the upheaval of the 1947 Partition of India and in search of economic opportunities in India's financial capital. Despite their numbers, the community had no local gurdwara — the nearest place of Sikh worship was in Khar, some distance away. The pivotal figure in the founding of the gurdwara was Dr Shamsher Singh Jolly (1922–1992), a physician who was transferred in 1955 to the N J Wadia Dispensary on S V Road in Andheri as the Chief Medical Officer. Recognising the spiritual needs of the large Sikh community around him, Dr Jolly began organising kirtan (devotional music) sessions in the outhouse of the dispensary premises. His initiative resonated deeply with local Sikh families, and together they formed the Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha — a collective body dedicated to establishing a permanent gurdwara and associated charitable institutions. Dr Shamsher Singh Jolly was elected as the first President of the Sabha. Funds were raised in 1955 to purchase land in the Chakala area, and construction work formally began in 1956 with the laying of the foundations. The gurdwara complex was built over the ensuing years to include the Gurdwara hall on the upper floor and the Guru Nanak Charitable Dispensary on the ground floor. Dr Jolly personally provided free medical consultations at the dispensary every day from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, embodying the Sikh principle of seva. By 1967, the Sabha had grown sufficiently in resources and community support to establish the Guru Nanak Mission High School, which was initially housed on the first floor of the gurdwara building. As the school's enrolment and reputation grew, it eventually outgrew its original premises and was relocated to a larger campus on Mahakali Caves Road, Chakala, Andheri East, where it continues to serve students from all communities to this day. Over the decades, the gurdwara and its associated institutions have become cornerstones of community life in Andheri East, continuing the legacy of Dr Shamsher Singh Jolly and the founding members of the Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha who transformed a modest kirtan gathering into a multifaceted institution of spiritual and social service. ## Structures in the Complex ### Main Darbar Sahib prayer_hall The central prayer hall of the gurdwara, located on the upper floor of the complex, where the Guru Granth Sahib is permanently enshrined under a decorated palki (canopy). Kirtan and prayer services are held here daily. ### Guru Nanak Charitable Dispensary museum Located on the ground floor of the complex, this charitable medical facility offers subsidised consultations across multiple specialities including physician, dental, eye, physiotherapy, and orthopaedic services to all community members regardless of faith. ### Langar Hall langar_hall The community kitchen and dining area where free vegetarian meals are prepared and served every Sunday after the morning diwan. On festival days, the langar hall serves extended meals to larger congregations. ### Nishan Sahib tower The tall flagpole bearing the triangular saffron Nishan Sahib flag marks the gurdwara's presence and is visible from the surrounding streets, guiding devotees to the sacred premises. ### Entrance and Shoe Storage Area entrance The main entrance of the gurdwara is accessible to all visitors, featuring a shoe storage area and hand-washing facilities as is customary in all gurdwaras. The entrance is wheelchair accessible. ## Visitor Information ### Dress Code Head covering required (scarves available at entrance), remove shoes before entering, modest clothing recommended ### Photography Photography policy not publicly specified; seek permission from gurdwara staff before photographing inside the prayer hall ### Etiquette Cover your head at all times inside the gurdwara; remove footwear at the entrance; wash hands before entering the darbar sahib; bow before the Guru Granth Sahib; refrain from smoking, alcohol, or consuming non-vegetarian food within the complex; sit respectfully on the floor of the prayer hall ## Climate & Best Time to Visit ## Langar (Free Community Kitchen) Serves the local Sikh congregation and visitors; exact capacity not publicly specified Seating Capacity ## Architecture Gurdwara Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha Chakala is a multi-storey urban gurdwara complex built to accommodate both spiritual and social functions within the space constraints of Mumbai's densely built Andheri East neighbourhood. The complex is located on Andheri Kurla Road in Amrit Nagar and has evolved organically since its initial construction in 1956. The building follows a functional multi-floor layout: the ground floor houses the Guru Nanak Charitable Dispensary, providing accessible medical services to the community. The main prayer hall — the Darbar Sahib — is situated on the upper floor, where the Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal Sikh scripture, is installed and reverently enshrined at all times under a decorated canopy (palki). The prayer hall features the characteristic elements of Sikh sacred architecture, including the nishan sahib (the triangular saffron flag on a tall flagpole) marking its presence as a gurdwara, a langar hall for the preparation and serving of community meals, and facilities for the congregation to sit in rows during kirtan and prayer. The complex also originally accommodated the Guru Nanak Mission High School on its first floor before the school relocated to a separate campus. The gurdwara's entrance is open to all, with a shoe rack area and hand-washing facilities as is customary in all gurdwaras. ## Structures in the Complex ### Main Darbar Sahib prayer_hall The central prayer hall of the gurdwara, located on the upper floor of the complex, where the Guru Granth Sahib is permanently enshrined under a decorated palki (canopy). Kirtan and prayer services are held here daily. ### Guru Nanak Charitable Dispensary museum Located on the ground floor of the complex, this charitable medical facility offers subsidised consultations across multiple specialities including physician, dental, eye, physiotherapy, and orthopaedic services to all community members regardless of faith. ### Langar Hall langar_hall The community kitchen and dining area where free vegetarian meals are prepared and served every Sunday after the morning diwan. On festival days, the langar hall serves extended meals to larger congregations. ### Nishan Sahib tower The tall flagpole bearing the triangular saffron Nishan Sahib flag marks the gurdwara's presence and is visible from the surrounding streets, guiding devotees to the sacred premises. ### Entrance and Shoe Storage Area entrance The main entrance of the gurdwara is accessible to all visitors, featuring a shoe storage area and hand-washing facilities as is customary in all gurdwaras. The entrance is wheelchair accessible. ## Events & Celebrations ### gurpurab #### Guru Nanak Gurpurab The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and the namesake of this gurdwara, is celebrated with great devotion. Akhand Path (continuous 48-hour reading of the Guru Granth Sahib), kirtan, and a large community langar are organised, drawing large congregations from across Mumbai. #### Gurpurabs of the Ten Sikh Gurus The gurdwara observes the birth and martyrdom anniversaries of all ten Sikh Gurus throughout the year, with special kirtan diwans and langars marking each occasion. ### festival #### Baisakhi Baisakhi, the Sikh New Year and the anniversary of the founding of the Khalsa in 1699, is celebrated with special prayers, kirtan, processions, and community langar. It is one of the most joyous occasions at the gurdwara. ### historical #### Foundation Day of Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha The anniversary of the founding of the Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha and the gurdwara is believed to be observed as a significant occasion within the managing organisation, celebrating the legacy of Dr Shamsher Singh Jolly and the founding members. ### weekly #### Sunday Diwan and Langar Every Sunday, a full diwan (prayer service) with kirtan is held at the gurdwara, followed by langar (free community meal) for all attendees. This weekly gathering is the cornerstone of community life at the gurdwara. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### visiting Gurdwara Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha Chakala is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Langar is served every Sunday after the morning diwan. For specific diwan (prayer service) timings, visitors can contact the gurdwara at +91 90976 78076. Yes, langar (free vegetarian community meal) is served every Sunday after the completion of the morning diwan. On major Sikh festivals such as Guru Nanak Gurpurab and Baisakhi, special extended langar is organised. All are welcome regardless of religion, caste, or community. The complex includes the Guru Nanak Charitable Dispensary on the ground floor, which offers subsidised medical services including physician, dental, eye, physiotherapy, orthopaedic, Ayurvedic, homoeopathic, and urological consultations. The gurdwara also has a langar hall, shoe storage, and wheelchair-accessible entry and exit. The gurdwara's photography policy is not publicly specified. Visitors are advised to seek explicit permission from gurdwara staff or sewadars before taking photographs, especially inside the Darbar Sahib (main prayer hall). Respectful behaviour towards the Guru Granth Sahib and worshippers must be maintained at all times. ### history The gurdwara was established in 1956 by Dr Shamsher Singh Jolly (1922–1992) through the Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha. Dr Jolly began organising kirtan in a dispensary outhouse in 1955, recognising the lack of a local gurdwara for the large Sikh community in Andheri East. Land was purchased and construction began in 1956. The complex grew to include a charitable dispensary and the Guru Nanak Mission High School, which was founded in 1967. The gurdwara was founded by Dr Shamsher Singh Jolly (1922–1992), who served as the Chief Medical Officer at N J Wadia Dispensary in Andheri. He established the Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha alongside local Sikh community members and was elected its first President. He also provided free daily medical consultations at the attached charitable dispensary. ### transport The gurdwara is located on Andheri Kurla Road, Amrit Nagar, Andheri East, Mumbai 400093, opposite Holy Family Church. Andheri Railway Station (Western Line) is approximately 0.72 km away. The Western Express Highway Metro Station is about 0.16 km away. BEST bus routes 181, 470LTD, A-180, A-332, and A-403 stop nearby. Auto-rickshaws and taxis are readily available from Andheri Station. Suggest an Edit Upload Photos ![Marker](https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/images/marker-icon.png) Gurdwara Guru Nanak Punjabi Sabha Chakala Leaflet Get Directions → ### Contribute Help improve this page. Suggest edits, add photos, or share information about this Gurdwara. Suggest an Edit