Prayers at Lahore’s Aitchison College gurdwara after 78 years

TOI Today's ePaper Live Prayers at Lahore’s Aitchison College gurdwara after 78 years TNN / Updated: Feb 14, 2026, 09:08 IST Comments Share AA Text Size - Small - Medium - Large Bathinda: Prayers were held at the Aitchison College gurdwara in Lahore on Friday for the first time in nearly 80 years, marking the start of the institution's three-day 140th-anniversary celebrations."These were emotional moments," said Tarunjit Singh Butalia, honorary envoy at Aitchison College. "We waited for such an occasion for a long time. When the doors finally opened for the sangat (congregation) and the cleanliness drive began, we were overwhelmed to enter this holy place after so many decades," he added. PM Modi Dials Tarique Rahman, Seva Teerth, New Labour Code & More The gurdwara had remained functionally closed since Aug 1947 due to a lack of Sikh students. While the doors had been opened for maintenance or visitors in the past, no formal religious ceremonies had been conducted since the Partition. The foundation stone of Aitchison College was laid on Nov 3, 1886, to educate the royals and families of undivided Punjab. The campus is unique for housing three distinct places of worship — a mosque built in 1900 by the Nawab of Bahawalpur; a temple whose foundation was laid in 1910 by the maharaja of Darbhanga and the gurdwara designed by the renowned architect Ram Singh (Mayo School of Arts). The gurdwara's foundation stone was laid in 1910 by maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, an alumnus of the college. Completed within two years, the building served as a daily spiritual hub for Sikh students until 1947. A total of 15 Sikh alumni living in India in previous interviews fondly recalled the gurdwara's striking black-and-white marble floors and castle-like architecture, said Butalia, whose father, paternal grandfather, and paternal great-grandfather studied at Aitchison between 1906 and 1947. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Valentine's day wishes, messages and quotes ! End of Article Follow Us On Social Media Videos PM Modi Says India Pushes Reforms With Conviction, Not Compulsion; Poised To Drive Global Growth 'Symbols Of British Empire': PM Modi On North & South Block In 1st Address From Seva Teerth 'Umar Bhar Yahi Bhool': Yogi Adityanath Quotes Mirza Ghalib In UP Assembly To Target SP's Record BNP Demands Sheikh Hasina's Extradition From India After Bangladesh Poll Win Congress Demands Union Minister Hardeep Puri Resignation Over Alleged Jeffrey Epstein Links Row PM Modi Speaks To BNP Chief Tarique Rahman, Congratulates On 'Remarkable' Bangladesh Poll Win 6-Year-Old Dead, 5 Injured As Speeding Car Hits Pedestrians On Busy Lucknow Road; CCTV Shows Horror Kiren Rijiju Explains Why Modi Govt Paused Privilege Notice Against Rahul Gandhi After Dubey's Move Tarique Rahman’s BNP Heads For Landslide In Bangladesh Election, Rivals Cry Foul PM Modi Unveils Seva Teerth, A New PMO Hub Marking Governance Shift In National Capital Delhi - Photostories Real-life television jodis who tied the knot in reality: Sargun Mehta - Ravie Dubey, Ram Kapoor - Gautami Gadgil and more Top 5 real estate hotspots in Noida to watch in 2026 Exclusive: Krushna Abhishek reacts to Sunita Ahuja’s allegations against mama Govinda, talks about Laughter Chefs 3’s success and working on The Great Indian Kapil Show Galentine’s Day special: Iconic female friendships in Bollywood that define sisterhood 6 Vastu mistakes that are silently blocking wealth in your home (don’t ignore number 4) 5 national parks in India that are excellent for birdwatching Love, in different landscapes: Hills, islands and desert skies Seva Teerth opens doors: PM Modi launches new PMO complex in New Delhi - see pics Abs don’t equal healthy arteries: Doctor explains why appearance isn’t a health report card 5 key features that make adventure bikes perfect for long-distance touring - Hot Picks Top Trending

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