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PAKISTAN
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GURDWARA
PANJA SAHIB, HASAN ABDAL
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Hasan
Abdal is an Ancient city situated at a distance of 45 kilometres from
Rawalpindi to the west side of the mountain.
It is hilly area. A few places have natural fountains. Saintly persons
usually take abode there. Wali Qandhari had established a celebrated
dera at Hasan Abdal, near a natural fountain. The dera had a specific
significance for giving boon to the man of the faith and punishing the
non-believers. Guru Nanak along with Bhai Mardana reached Hasan Abdal
in Baisakh Samwat 1578 B.K. corresponding to 1521 A.D. in the summer
season. Under a shady cool tree, Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana started
reciting Kirtan, the devotees gathered together which annoyed Wali Qandhari
but he was helpless. According to a legend, Bhai Mardana was sent three
times to Wali Qandhari so that the former might quench his thirst. Wali
Qandhari refused and even used harsh words for him. Despite all of this,
Mardana still very politely stuck to his demand. The Wali ironically
remarked : Why don't you ask your Master whom you serve? Mardana reached
the holy presence of Guru in a miserable state and qouthed. "Oh lord
! I prefer to death to thirst but will not approach the Wali, the egoist."
The true Lord said smilingly," Oh Bhai Mardana ! Repeat the Name of
God, the Almighty; and drink the water to your heart's content." The
Guru put aside a big piece of stone lying nearby, Where a pure fountain
of water sprang up and began to flow endlessly. Bhai Mardana quenched
his thirst and felt grateful to the Creater. On the other hand, the
fountain of Wali Qandhari got dried up like vanishing of comforts and
conveniences of an unfortunate fellow. On witnessing the wondrous act,
the Wali in rage, threw a part of a mountain towards the Guru from the
top of the hill. The true Lord halted the hurled stone with his hand.
An indelibe mark of Guru's hand was inserted in the stone. Observing
that miracle, the ego of Wali vanished and he became the Guru's fast
devotee. Several attempts were made to deface the impression of the
hand of the Guru but all of non avial and the mark remained for ever
and ever. This holy and revered place is now known as Panja Sahib. Sardar
Hari Singh Nalwa after conquering the Sindh province during the Sikh
rule, got erected a huge building of Gurdwara and a sarovar there. The
control of the administration of the Gurdwara remained with the hereditery
Mahant. After passing away of Mahant Mittha Singh about whom the people
had grievances, a march was led by Bhai Kartar Singh Jhabbar, to get
control of Gurdwara. The Jatha reached Panja Sahib on 18 november, 1920
and the S.G.P.C. gained possession. The local managing committee. erected
a new building of the Gurdwara and extended the existed sarai for more
accomodation. The Baisakhi fair held at Panja Sahib was worth seeing.
During the peaceful morcha of Guru-Ka-Bagh, one of the jathas of the
sikhs was brutally beaten by the British administrators and the capacity
of the Sikhs for suffering and resisitance was put to trail. While the
authorities indulged in lathi charge, the peaceful Singhs were raising
the slogan : Ultimate victory belongs to the truth (Sat Sri Akal). The
wounded were carried on motor vehicles to Amritsar. They were hungry
for the last two-three days and were despatched to Attock jail by Rail.
The Sikh Sangats at Panja Sahib received an intimation that the hungry
Singhs were taken to Attock by rail. Arrangements were made for their
food at Railway Station. The Jathedar requested the station master to
stop the train but he refused to do so as it was not destined to halt
the train. Jathedar Karam Singh argued with the station master and said
that if there were any such instructions from his masters for not stopping
the train, It was the ordered by his master, the Almighty, that the
train must stop. After concluding an Ardasa, the Singhs lied down on
the railway lines. The Jatha was being led by Bhai Karam Singh (Manager
Gurdwara Panja Sahib) and Bhai Partap Singh. Thus, the Singhs stopped
the train on 31st October, 1922 by laying down there lives. The train
which was not destined to make halt there, made stoppage for one and
a half hour and the food was duly servrd to the Singhs. Bhai Karam Singh
and Bhai Partap Singh were martyred and six Sikhs received serious injuries.
There stands no memorial for this incident. The administration of this
Gurdwara is with Pakistan Waqf board. A particular Jatha visits this
place on the eve of the Baisakhi festival. A Singh resides in the campus
of the Gurdwara from the board and maintains tha pious Maryada.
