The Sikh Gurdwara in San Jose was founded in the early 1980s by former President, Jit Singh Bainiwal along with Teja Singh, as well as Baba Pyara Singh Obhi.
Teja Singh, Jit Singh Bainiwal, and the late Pyara Singh Obhi along with other devoted sevadars from the local community founded the Sikh Gurdwara San Jose in 1984.
The Sikh community in South Bay was increasing at a rapid pace and there was a dire need for a local Gurdwara, a place where the congregation could attend. At first, the Gurdwara held samagams at a local community centre. In the year 1986, after tremendous obstacles, the Gurdwara Committee bought a small edifice on White Road.
Within a couple of months, the Gurdwara Committee realised that the structure was too small for a Sangat. Subsequently, in the year 1990, the Committee purchased a plot at 2785 Quimby Road, and further purchased two adjacent plots over the next few years, which brought the total land owned by the Gurdwara Committee to nearly five acres.
In the years 1993-1994, the Gurdwara Committee under the able leadership of Jit Singh Bainiwal as well as Bhuphindar (Bob) Singh Dhillon along with other members of the Committee concluded that the land would not be large enough for the growth of the Sadh Sangat in the future.
Keeping things in proper perspective, the residents’ surroundings and the need of a large Divan Hall in the future and parking facility for the Sadh Sangat were essential. In addition, there were County and City requirements that would not have met the Gurdwara’s needs.
Bhuphindar Singh Dhillon’s vision turned to a reality after searching for many properties. Bob Dhillon, the present General Secretary, found the community’s current home, which is located in 3636 Murillo Avenue. The property is ideally located in San Jose’s Evergreen Hills. This property is spread across 40 acres and offers beautiful views of the bay as well as the city lights at night. This eventually became the North America’s largest Gurdwara.
The first phase of the structure was completed in the year 2004, and with the entire infrastructure, the phase was built at a cost of 12 million dollars. The second phase is now totally completed with an additional cost of 20 million dollars.
Bhuphindar Singh Dhillon along with other members of the Committee are grateful and thankful for the Sadh Sangat’s support to make this Gurdwara one of the most splendid in the entire world.
