A year after an eye-opening visit to Punjab, photographing its rich heritage, Sodhi Singh reflects on the poor state of the Sikh's sacred heritage.

Text and photographs by Sodhi Singh 

What is it with Sikhs that we have so many historical temples and important buildings many dating back to the time of the Gurus but we are the ones who are destroying our own heritage, often without even knowing?

Every power hungry committee loves to say 'here is our temple and we restored it and its worth this much and we donated the money!' But the task of keeping old traditions and artworks are left to the museums and are not available to be seen in public.

It was sad day back in February 2005 that I visited the great land of culture and tradition; the Punjab. All set with my camera ready to research and preserve, and on my visit to the great city of Anandpur Sahib where Guru Tegh Bhahdur's severed head was brought back after his martyrdom in Delhi. On the cremation ground was built Gurdwara Sis Ganj under the supervision of none other than Guru Gobind singh the tenth Sikh Guru !

But the sad fact is that all the original artwork and effort of the original artists and beloved devotees is now just being "White Washed Away ", and we are already at point where its hard to distinguish one Sikh temple from the other.

Why? Because they all the look the same!

What do we do ?

Who do we speak to ?

How do we preserve any temples/items left ?

These are some questions that we need answers to quick, else in another 10/15 years and we shall have plain Sikh temples reflecting the mind set of the new generation, like a white sheet of paper "BLANK and BORING"

The challenge to the new generation is here and now, otherwise, like the photos taken in February 2005, the entire entrance will be lost. Now, one-year later in February 2006, I wouldn't be surprised if all that beautiful artwork is a distant memory.

Think and let's do something about it …………

 (above) The inner part of an alcove spared from the whitewashing that has covered all of the original  19th century wall paintings (frescos) that once surrounded it. Pictured in February 2005 at Sis Ganj Gurdwara in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab

 (above) A delicate wall painting (fresco) that which is now so poorly maintained and protected that it has faded and its colours have been washed away. Pictured in February 2005 at Sis Ganj Gurdwara in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab

 (above) A fresco in better condition at Sis Ganj Gurdwara in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab

 (above) Surrounded by whitewashing and damaged by ill-thought out and inappropriate electrification the original gurdwara that was once a symbol of the devotion and artistry of its time now looks forlorn.  Pictured in February 2005 at Sis Ganj Gurdwara in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab

 (above) Another damaged fresco in Sis Ganj Gurdwara in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab

 (above) whitewashing gone mad. All the original paintings have been completely covered in a thick layer of whitewash, destroying the originlalartistry forever and reducing this central Sikh place of worship to another bland modern temple.

(above) whitewashing gone mad. All the original paintings have been completely covered in a thick layer of whitewash, destroying the originlalartistry forever and reducing this central Sikh place of worship to another bland modern temple.