Devout offering prayers during centenary celebrations of Central Gurudwara Sahib in Gowliguda at Exhibition Grounds in Hyderabad on Sunday. (Photo: By Arrangement)

Hyderabad: A century of faith, service and community harmony came alive at the historic Central Gurudwara Sahib Gowliguda as the journey found a grand expression where thousands of Sikh devotees and people from different communities gathered at the Exhibition Grounds in Nampally on Sunday to mark its centenary celebrations of the historic Gurudwara.

Founded in 1926, the Central Gurudwara Sahib Gowliguda has stood witness to the transformation of Hyderabad across generations. Through changing times, it has retained its essential message of equality, brotherhood, compassion and sewa — selfless service. Its centenary, therefore, was much more than the completion of 100 years. It was a celebration of the Sikh community's enduring presence and contribution to the social and cultural life of Telangana.

Celebrating the historic and landmark occasion, the Prabhandak Committee of Central Gurudwara Sahib Gowliguda, in association with Sikh Gurudwaras across Telangana organised ''Vishaal Diwan '' (Mass Religious Congregation) where thousands of Sikh devotees and other faiths participated in congregation and offered prayers to Guru Granth SahIb Ji (Holy Scripture of Sikhs) at Exhibition Grounds.

The occasion was graced by prominent Sikh spiritual and community leaders, including Singh Sahib, Sant Baba Kulwant Singhji, Revered Jathedar (Head Priest) of Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib, Nanded, Maharashtra. Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib is one of the five supreme Takhts (seats of temporal authority) in Sikhism. Sant Baba Balwinder Singhji, Hazur Sahib wale is a highly revered spiritual figure and community leader associated with Gurudwara Langar Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra, Harmeet Singh Kalka, President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) participated in the centenary celebrations.

The spiritual atmosphere of the gathering was heightened by Gurbani Kirtans (Holy Hymns) and Kathas (Sermns) recited by renowned Ragi Jathas (Sikh preachers) from different parts of the country. Bhai Jagjeet Singh Babiha of Delhi, Bhai Balpreet Singh of Ludhiana, Bhai Jagpreet Singh Khannewale, Bhai Ravinder Singh and other Ragi Jathas and Katha Vachaks rendered d Shabad Kirtans and spoke on the teachings of the Sikh Gurus.

Their message went beyond the walls of the Gurudwara. The discourses highlighted the values of national integration, peace, equality, brotherhood and communal harmony, urging devotees to follow the teachings of Sikh Gurus, whose message of peaceful coexistence and service to humanity continues to resonate across communities.

“The historic centenary celebrations are a celebration of faith, service and unity, bringing the entire community together,” Central Gurudwara Sahib Gowliguda Prabhandak Committee, President, S. Trilok Singh said.

The centenary celebrations also underlined the Gurudwara's contribution beyond its religious identity. For generations, it has served as a place of prayer, fellowship and selfless service, reflecting the Sikh tradition of sewa at the heart of community life. Its social, cultural and spiritual activities have helped strengthen the bonds between the Sikh community and Hyderabad's wider social fabric. As the Gurudwara enters its second century, the celebrations carried a message of continuity — preserving a rich spiritual heritage while inspiring younger generations to uphold the values of service, equality and compassion, he said.

For Hyderabad's Sikh community, the story of Central Gurudwara Sahib Gowliguda is ultimately a story of continuity. It is the story of a faith that has preserved its traditions while becoming an inseparable part of Hyderabad's pluralistic character.

As the historic Gurudwara steps into its second century, the centenary celebrations have offered both a tribute to its past and a bridge to its future. The message from Gowliguda remains as enduring as ever: faith finds its deepest meaning in service, and a community grows stronger when it walks together in harmony, Trilok Singh said.

The spirit of equality was perhaps most visible at the conclusion of the congregation, when the traditional 'Guru-Ka-Langar', the free community kitchen, was served to devotees. Seated together in rows and sharing the same meal, people experienced one of the most powerful expressions of Sikh philosophy - that everyone is equal and that service to fellow human beings transcends social and religious boundaries.


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