Sikh Temple, Makindu, Kenya, East Africa

Описание: It was built on 21st September 1898 by the Sikhs who were working on the construction of the railway line from the coast (Mombasa) inland to Lake Victoria and beyond to Uganda.

The Gurudwara is located about 100 miles (160–170 km) from Nairobi on the main Nairobi to Mombasa Road.

Set in the forest off the main road, the Makindu Gurdwara is the only convenient rest stop for weary motorists on this busy and long road to and from Mombasa. So the Sikh community of Kenya have done something special. They have built a beautiful edifice and campus where anyone of any religion or of no religion can withdraw from the mundane and reflect on the spiritual. This large complex houses a huge dining facility which provides free langar 24 hours a day as determined by their founder, Guru Nanak Dev ji.

Sikhs were employed by the British Empire in every sphere whether its be Army or as Labour.

In case of Kenya, Sikhs were employed by Britishers for the construction of Railways. First of all a small hut was constructed by Sikhs where they did the Prakash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.

As we all know that for laying the tracks one has to move on, so time came when Sikhs have to move further from Makindu. Sikhs then employed a native African to take care of hut and whenever Sikhs got holiday or during weekend , they used to travel to that hut at Makindu.

One day when they came to worship in the hut, they were informed something by the caretaker.

The caretaker told them that a Singh on a horse , equipped with weapons came with his some followers and asked me to tell you to construct a Gurudwara here.

When Sikhs showed the caretaker the portrait of Guru Gobind Singh and inquired about the guy, the caretaker said yes the Singh looked just like him.

The Sikhs constructed a beautiful Gurudwara at Makindu.The Gurudwara is run by Sikhs and Non-Sikhs. It has been a important place of worship for Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims.

The Gurudwara offer accommodation for the tourists passing from Makindu.

There are other miracles too about the Gurudwara like an amazing first-time encounter happened with a member of the Istri Sabha during the early years of the Gurudwara. A lady who was reading the Guru Granth Sahib in the night, by the light of a kerosene lamp (there was no electricity there at the time), witnessed in the flickering light a moving shadow which fell across the pages of Shri Guru Granth Sahib. The figure, she recalled, was of someone doing the 'chaur' over the Sikh Scriptures. The figure was, by description, none other than Guru Gobind Singh ji.

Another incident is that People claim to have have heard, in the silent of night, to have heard the approach of horses, just outside the Gurudwara. The sounds were akin to an army, stopping for the night. They claimed that they heard sounds of a kitchen being put in place, like langar was being prepared. Evidently, the incident was believed to be another darshan of the Guru ji, stopping by the shrine.

The Shrine therefore is very important place for Sikhs, though it is not very much famous. There are stories about Guru Gobind Singh ji appearing in Europe to a British army officer while facing the German armies. The Guru ji showed the British General the way out from the German forces and thus saving their lifes.

The story was narrated by him in Bangla Sahib when he came to India, escorting the plume and other important materials belonging to Guru Gobind Singh ji which was taken by the Britishers.