The short answer
Gurudwara Dr Diwan Singh (Police Gurudwara): what visitors should know first
Worth a short, respectful visit, especially if the langar (communal meal) is being served, which is open to all regardless of faith. Cover your head before entering and remove your shoes, as at any gurdwara.
History and context
The story behind Gurudwara Dr Diwan Singh (Police Gurudwara)
The gurdwara was established in 1937 and named after Dr Diwan Singh Kalapani, a physician who was imprisoned in the Cellular Jail for his role in the independence movement and is honoured locally as a martyr. It has since served as the main place of Sikh worship for Port Blair's Punjabi community.
Useful facts
Gurudwara Dr Diwan Singh (Police Gurudwara) facts at a glance
- Location
- Aberdeen Bazaar, opposite the local police station, Port Blair
- Faith
- Sikhism
- Deity/dedication
- Named for Dr Diwan Singh Kalapani, a Cellular Jail prisoner honoured as a martyr
- Visitor note
- Cover your head, remove footwear, and behave respectfully during prayers or langar
- Built
- Established 1937
Why it matters
Why Gurudwara Dr Diwan Singh (Police Gurudwara) is worth your time
The gurdwara's naming after Dr Diwan Singh Kalapani ties it directly to the same freedom-struggle history that the Cellular Jail commemorates, but from the perspective of the Sikh community specifically, whose members were among the political prisoners held there. It is a reminder that the jail's inmates came from across India's religious and regional communities, not from any single group.
More broadly, the gurdwara's presence in central Port Blair reflects the town's mixed population, built up through decades of settlement from mainland India after independence, alongside Bengali, Tamil and other communities that give the city a more varied character than its remote location might suggest.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Its freedom-movement namesake
Named for Dr Diwan Singh Kalapani, a Cellular Jail prisoner remembered as a martyr, linking it directly to the jail's history.
- 02
The community langar
A communal meal typically open to visitors of any faith, served in the gurdwara tradition of shared hospitality.
- 03
Its central bazaar location
Set opposite the local police station within Aberdeen Bazaar, giving it the informal name Police Gurudwara.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Known locally as the Police Gurudwara for its location opposite the town's police station, this Sikh place of worship was established in 1937 and named for Dr Diwan Singh Kalapani, a physician who was imprisoned in the Cellular Jail and is remembered as a martyr of the freedom movement. The gurdwara serves Port Blair's Punjabi and wider Sikh community, many descended from settlers who arrived to work in administration, the armed forces and trade after independence.
As at any gurdwara, visitors of all faiths are welcome; the etiquette is simple but should be observed carefully: cover your head, remove your shoes at the entrance, and sit respectfully during any prayers or the community langar meal, which is typically open to everyone regardless of religion. The atmosphere is calm and unhurried, a contrast to the bustle of the surrounding bazaar just outside.
Because it sits centrally within Aberdeen Bazaar, a visit here fits naturally alongside a walk through the market and a stop at the nearby Hanuman temple, giving a fuller sense of the different communities that make up Port Blair's population.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Cover your head with a scarf or cloth before entering
- Remove your shoes at the entrance
- Avoid alcohol or tobacco before your visit, as at any gurdwara
- Ask before photographing inside the prayer hall
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Aberdeen Bazaar, opposite the local police station, central Port Blair
- Time needed
- 10 to 20 minutes; longer if you join the langar
- Best time
- Morning or early evening, when prayers and langar service are typically underway
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- A level, single-precinct gurdwara with straightforward access, though visitors should be ready to sit on the floor during prayers or langar, which may need extra care for those with limited mobility.
- Tickets and access
- Free entry, as at any gurdwara. Cover your head with a scarf or cloth, remove your shoes, and avoid alcohol or tobacco before visiting; photography inside the prayer hall should be approached with sensitivity.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Gurudwara Dr Diwan Singh (Police Gurudwara)
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Travelling with parents?
A level, single-precinct gurdwara with straightforward access, though visitors should be ready to sit on the floor during prayers or langar, which may need extra care for those with limited mobility.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Why is it called the Police Gurudwara?
Because it sits directly opposite Port Blair's local police station within Aberdeen Bazaar; its formal name honours Dr Diwan Singh Kalapani.
Who was Dr Diwan Singh Kalapani?
A physician imprisoned in the Cellular Jail for his role in India's independence movement, remembered locally as a martyr and honoured in the gurdwara's name.
Can non-Sikh visitors enter the gurdwara?
Yes, gurdwaras welcome visitors of all faiths, including for the community langar meal, provided visitors cover their heads and remove their shoes.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.