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Historical
Gurdwaras of Punjab dedicated to Guru Hargobind Sahib
Gurdwara
Bir Baba Buddha, Dist. Amritsar
Gurdwara Guru Ki Wadali, Dist. Amritsar
Gurdwara Guru Ka Mahl, Dist. Amritsar
Sri Akal Takht, Amritsar
Gurdwara Babeksar, Dist. Amritsar
Gurdwara Daroli Bhai, Dist. Firozpur
Gurdwara Chhevin Padshahi, Dist. Jalandhar
Gurdwara Bath Sahib, Dist. Gurdaspur
Khalsa College, Amritsar
Gurdwara Damdama Sahib, Sri Hargobindpur, Dist.
Gurdaspur
Gurdwara Baba Atal, Dist. Amritsar
Gurdwara Patal Puri, Kiratpur, Dist. Ropar
Gurdwara
Bir Baba Buddha, Dist. Amritsar
Baba Buddha used to live here in the jungle outside Amritsar.
Being without a child for many years Guru Arjan Dev's wife Ganga Devi
became anxious. Guru Arjan Dev told her; "If you wish a child,
ask a pious Sikh like Baba Buddha, the aged seer and devout disciple
of Guru Nanak for a blessing". Ganga Devi went to seek the
blessings of Baba Buddha with a large entourage. She presented Baba
Buddha with many delicacies to eat. Baba Buddha refused to provide any
blessings. Upon hearing what happened, Guru Arjan Dev told his wife to
return this time on foot, with a simple meal prepared by herself. This
time Baba Buddha was delighted and partook of the simple food. He
prophesied; "A son will be born to you who will crush the enemies
of Nanak's house, just as I have crushed this onion with my hand."
That prophecy was to soon thereafter come true with the birth of Guru
Hargobind in 1595.
Gurdwara Guru Ki Wadali, Dist. Amritsar
This is the birthplace of Guru Hargobind who was born here in 1595.
Guru Hargobind was a saint and a soldier and the first military hero
of the people of Punjab in 600 years since the conquest of Punjab by
the Muslims. Guru Hargobind always carried two swords to symbolize the
concepts of Miri and Piri. Piri meaning spiritual authority and Miri
meaning temporal authority, Sikhs are expected to maintain a balance
between the two, to be soldiers and saints. The 400th anniversary of
Guru Hargobind's birth was celebrated in 1995.
Gurdwara Guru Ka Mahl, Dist. Amritsar
Guru Hargobind lived here for some time and was also married in this
house. This is also the birthplace of Guru Hargobind's sons Baba Atal
Rai and Guru Tegh Bahadur. Guru Arjan Dev was married here and was
also installed as Guru here in 1581. This was the home of Guru Ram Das
and his family. Guru Ram Das founded the city of Ramdaspur (modern day
Amritsar) and started the excavation of the 'pool of nectar' called
Amritsar.
Sri Akal Takht, Amritsar
Akal Takht literally means Eternal Throne. It is part of the Golden
Temple complex and is situated on the other end of the causeway
connected to the Harmandir Sahib. The foundation was laid by Guru
Hargobind. It was here that he was ceremonially installed as Guru in
1606. The building of the Akal Takht opposite the Golden Temple has a
special meaning. While the Golden Temple stands for spiritual guidance
(piri) the Akal Takht symbolizes the dispensing of justice and
temporal activity (miri). During the day the Guru Granth Sahib is kept
in the Golden Temple, while at night it is kept in the Akal Takht.
Traditionally all Sikh warriors sought blessings here before going to
battle. During the 18th century while Sikhs were fighting a guerrilla
war in the forests they used to gather at the Akal Takht on special
occasions such as Baisakhi and Diwali. Here the community used to have
general meetings and approve resolutions.
Gurdwara Babeksar, Dist. Amritsar
Bhai Gurdas laid the foundation of the Gurdwara in 1622. Guru
Hargobind established a camp here for his cavalry and soldiers soon
after. Guru Hargobind said that anyone who bathed in the pool would
receive the benefits of rational thinking (Babek).
Gurdwara Daroli Bhai, Dist. Firozpur
This is the birthplace of Baba Gurditta, the eldest son of Guru
Hargobind born in 1613. Baba Gurditta was a great saint and the father
of Guru Har Rai as well as the elder brother of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The
family of the Gurus wife Mata Damodari still live here and are
custodians of some rare personal belongings of Guru Hargobind as well
as a handwritten copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib bearing the personal
seal of Guru Gobind Singh.
Gurdwara Chhevin Padshahi, Dist. Jalandhar
Here Guru Hargobind had religious discourses with the Muslim saint
Shaikh Darvesh. A handwritten copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib prepared
sometime between 1715 and 1728 by the great Sikh scholar and martyr
Baba Deep Singh is kept here.
Gurdwara Bath Sahib, Dist. Gurdaspur
The ascetic son of Guru Nanak and the founder of the Udasi order Baba
Sri Chand lived here deep in the forest for the last part of his life.
Guru Hargobind visited Baba Sri Chand and when Baba Sri Chand
complimented the Guru on his chivalry and piety, Guru Hargobind
replied with great humility, "It is all the result of your
blessing". Guru Hargobind also gave his son Baba Gurditta to Baba
Sri Chand as the next leader of the Udasi order. Baba Sri Chand was
also visited here by Guru Arjan Dev who told Baba Sri Chand about the
hostility of the Gurus elder brother. Baba Sri Chand replied: "This
will be his undoing and ruin both in this world and the next".
Baba Sri Chand died and was cremated here in 1612 at the ripe old age
of 118.
Khalsa College, Amritsar
Guru Hargobind fought his first battle at the present day site of
Khalsa College in 1634 and was victorious. The Guru was about to
celebrate the marriage of his only daughter Bibi Viro when he was
attack by the Mughals. A force of 700 Sikhs defeated an army of 7,000
mughal troops. The foundation stone of Khalsa College was laid in 1892
and it has since been one of the eminent Sikh educational
institutions.
Gurdwara Damdama Sahib, Sri Hargobindpur,
Dist. Gurdaspur
Guru Hargobind fought a fierce battle against Mughal forces in
December of 1634. They did not want the Sikhs to settle in the town
and build a Gurdwara. The Gurus forces were victorious although they
were heavily outnumbered. After the battle Guru Hargobind showed his
respect and tolerance of other religions by not only finishing the
work on the Gurdwara but also ordered the building of a mosque for
Muslims.
Gurdwara Baba Atal, Dist. Amritsar
The beloved son of Guru Hargobind, Baba Atal Rai left the earth and
was cremated here. Atal Rai was a much beloved son of Guru Hargobind
and was born in 1620. One day as young Atal Rai playmate was bitten by
a snake and died. At seeing the boys family crying over his body, Atal
Rai bought his friend back to life. When Guru Hargobind heard of the
miracle he admonished his son saying that "How can anyone
interfere with the ways of God?". Baba Atal Rai was so distressed
at hearing his fathers reprimand that he withdrew to the side of
Kaulsar pool and saying his prayers, lay down and gave up his life for
the life that he had saved. The nine stories of the Gurdwara represent
the nine years of Baba Atal's short life. Two great heroes from Sikh
history Nawab Kapur Singh and Jassa Singh Ahluwalia were also cremated
here.
Gurdwara Patal Puri, Kiratpur, Dist. Ropar
Guru Hargobind in 1644 as well as Guru Har Rai in 1661 were cremated
here. The ashes of Guru Harkrishan were brought from Delhi and
immersed here in the river Sutlej in 1664. In 1675 Guru Gobind Singh
at the age of nine received the tragic news that his father Guru Tegh
Bahadur had been executed in Delhi. Guru Gobind Singh traveled from
here to Anandpur Sahib for the cremation of his fathers head which had
been spirited away from Delhi by a devoted Sikh, Bhai Jaita.
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