:dateline:Gurdwara Bal Leela Sahib (Nankana Sahib, Pakistan), where first Sikh master Guru Nanak Dev Ji used to play during childhood and enlighten his friends about the Almighty Lord, has been open for the pilgrims after about a decade long renovation. Notably, this Gurdwara Sahib was closed pilgrims around 17 years due to the dilapidated condition of its building.
Gurdwara Bal Leela Sahib is located 300 meters south-east of Gurdwara Janam Asthan (Nankana Sahib). A Sarovar named Nanaksar is situated at the Gurdwara Sahib which was built by Rai Bular.
Before 1921, this Gurdwara Sahib was managed by the Nirmala Sikhs but after 1921 the Sikh community taken its charge. After 1947�s Indo-Pak partition, the Sikh community again lost control of this historic shrine and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) of Pakistan got its control. �
Interacting with media, the head granthi of Gurdwara Bal Leela Sahib Sukhbir Singh Maan informed that the Gurdwara Sahib has been opened due to the joint efforts of the UK-based Jatha Guru Ka Bagh, Baba Jagtar Singh Kaar Sewa Wale of Tarn Taran, the ETPB and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. �The langar hall, Parkash Asthan and Sukhasan Sthan had been renovated over a period of 10 years,� he added.
�The old sarovar adjacent to the Gurdwara Sahib is lying dried-up and needs renovation. The Gurdwara Sahib is now open to pilgrims after completion of the Kar Sewa,� Maan said, adding that the �Parkash� of Guru Granth Sahib is held there daily.
Historic facts reveal that the sixth Sikh master Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, had visited the town and had the shrine premises enlarged. Diwan Kaura Mal, a Hindu noble, had got the holy pond renovated and brick-lined after his victory over Multan in 1748. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was behind the renovation of the holy shrine building and enlargement of the sarovar in the early 1800s.
The last renovation of the gurdwara was held under Sant Gurmukh Singh Kaar Sewa Wale between 1930 and 1940.
