“What does Tatt Khalsa mean?” It refers to Sikhs who didn’t want Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s doctrines changed. Now step closer to the Guru Nanak Darbar Tatt Khalsa Diwan Selangor. It stands as the biggest Sikh temple in Southeast Asia. This significant gurdwara is found on Jalan Raja Alang. It is in Kuala Lumpur’s Chow Kit area.
The Guru Nanak Darbar Tatt Khalsa Diwan Selangor has a rich history. Its origins trace back to 1918. The current building was constructed between 1994 and 1996. The cost was RM4.3 million.
Notice the building’s design. It features four minarets. Each minaret sits at a corner. Stylized domes top these minarets. Behind the gurdwara is Wisma Tatt Khalsa. It faces Jalan Raja Bot.
This is a two-storey building. The ground floor houses a large dining hall and kitchen. A car park is in the basement. The Darbar Sahib is located on the first floor. Here, the Sikh holy book rests. It is the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
In 1910, many Sikhs lived in Kuala Lumpur’s Setapak and Ampang areas. They were bullock cart drivers, dairy farmers, watchmen, or business owners. Many came from Punjab’s Malwa region.
Bhai Kala Singh Kheda held a Jormela in 1918. He turned an empty hospital ward into a temporary gurdwara. Giani Gurbaksh Singh Ji led kirtan and prayers.
In 1919, the Sikh community rented premises on Pahang Road. They created a Gurdwara Sahib. The Vesakhi celebrations took place here in April 1920.
Bhai Kala Singh proposed a larger Gurdwara Sahib with a school in April 1920. The Tatt Khalsa Diwan Selangor formed to manage the new gurdwara. Its goal was to promote Sikhism. They wanted to safeguard Sikh rights and spread Punjabi education.
With help from Captain Graham, the committee secured land on Perkins Road in 1922. It is now Jalan Raja Alang. Donations funded the Gurdwara Sahib and school.
The Guru Nanak Darbar Tatt Khalsa Diwan Selangor opened on Vesakhi in 1924. Bhai Waryam Singh Bhinder declared it open. Over time, the complex expanded. It included a kitchen, langgar hall, and visitor rooms.
The Guru Nanak Darbar Tatt Khalsa Diwan Selangor assisted the Sikh community through World War II. It also helped during the communist insurgency. It played a role in Malaya’s independence in 1957.
The Tatt Khalsa Diwan Selangor strongly promoted Punjabi education. It offered religious and Gurmukhi education. The Diwan introduced technical courses. They sponsored the first Sikh Educational Conference in 1937.
In 1994, the school building was demolished. It made way for Wisma Tatt Khalsa. The school closed in 1998. The Diwan printed pamphlets on Sikhism. They published the Khalsa Malaya Darpan newspaper. Since 1984, they publish Malaya Samachar. It is the only Punjabi newspaper in Southeast Asia.
In 1955, the Guru Nanak Darbar Tatt Khalsa Diwan Selangor organized a Granthi Training Course. They organized an All-Malayan Sikh Conference in 1973. This was to oppose the UK’s crash helmet law.
The six-storey Wisma Tatt Khalsa complex completed in 1996. It serves the Sikh community. It houses a kindergarten and a hall for events. There is also the Malaya Samachar press and a library.
The new Guru Nanak Darbar building’s groundbreaking was in 1999. The building took nearly three years to complete. The Malaysian government donated to its construction.
The new Guru Nanak Darbar Tatt Khalsa Diwan Selangor is on 0.8 hectares of land. The basement has parking. The ground floor contains a dining hall and kitchen. The first floor is the Darbar Sahib.
The Guru Nanak Darbar building features four towers. Each has a minaret-like dome. The central dome is decorated with yellow mosaic.
Today, the Guru Nanak Darbar Tatt Khalsa Diwan Selangor is the largest Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. The Darbar Sahib seats about 1,500 people.
The soft opening was on April 10, 2002. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was carried in procession. This gurdwara stands as a testament to faith. It represents community and perseverance.