Kiratpur Sahib

Kiratpur Sahib (Founded by the 6th Guru) has the Gurdwaras denoting the birth places of Guru Har Rai Ji and Guru Harkishan Ji and also Gudwara known as Gurdwara Patalpuri where Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib was cremated. Later on, Guru Har Rai Sahib, who lived here, made this city his preaching centre and also breathed his last in 1661, were also cremated at this place. The ashes of Guru Harkishan, who breathed his last at Delhi, were also brought to this place and immersed here at this place. Thus, this Gurdwara situated on the banks of river Sutlej, became sacred and the Sikhs started brining ashes of their deceased for immersion and prayers.

Chamkaur Sahib

Chamkaur Sahib falls in Ludhiana District. The Gurdwaras located here relate to the battles fought by Guru Gobind Singh with the Imperial troops. Gurdwara Garhi Sahib marks the place used by the Guru as temporary citadel in the unequal battle on 7th December 1705. On occupying the house during the night of 6/7 December, he had assigned 8 Sikhs each to guard each side of the four sided perimeter wall, while another two, Madan Singh and Kotha Singh, were posted at the only entrance which faced north. Guru Gobind Singh, with his sons Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh and other disciples, took up positions on the first floor of the house in the centre. The Sikhs were sent in small batches to fight with hundred of peoples on the other side. Another Gurdwara, Qatalgarh Sahib (Sahid Ganj) is on the spot where thickest hand to hand fight took place on 7 December 1705 between the Mughal army and the Sikhs, including the Sahibzadas, Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, and three of the original five Piare (the Five Beloved). One Gurdwara near around is dedicated to Bhai Jivan Singh. Jivan Singh was the same Bhai Jaita who had brought Guru Tegh Bahadar’s head after his execution from Delhi to Kiratpur in 1675, and earned from Guru Gobind Singh the endearing title of ‘Ranghrete Guru ke Bete’. Upon his initiation into the order of the Khalsa in 1699, he had received the name of Jivan Singh. According to the Bhatt Vahis, he was killed in a rearguard action on the bank of the Sarsa. This Gurdwara commemorates the historical battle- fought by Guru Gobind Singh in a small fortress. He faced a mighty Mughal army with just forty Sikhs. On the same spot, the great Guru blessed his two elder sons Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, saw them off to the battle field and exhorted them to attain spiritual perfection by sacrificing their lives. The two Sahibzadas and 37 Sikhs, attained martyrdom in the battle. Here stands a pillar, on which the words breathing the spirit of determination in the battle field are inscribed.

O Lord! Bless me, That I may never be deterred from righteous actions,

And fear no adversary in battle, That victories be mine,

Let conscience be my guide, I crave that I may sing Thy Praises,

May I draw my last breath in heroic battle.

Never before, has any teenager warrior, displayed a cool courage in the face of death. Their heroic deeds against tyranny are remembered every year by grateful devotees. They assemble in thousands at Chamkaur Sahib to attend the Shahidi Jormela in the memory of the two Sahibzadas. There are five historical Gurdwaras at Chamkaur. Gurdwara Garhi Sahib, stands at a place, where once stood a haveli of one Chaudhri Garibu. This was converted into a fortress by Guruji to face the larger Mughal hostile force. Another Gurdwara is Tarhi Sahib. Here the Tenth Master left the Garhi along with his three devoted Sikhs at dead of night. The place where they clapped hands to announce the departure of the Guru, a memorial called ‘Tarhi Sahib’, has been raised. Gurdwara ‘Qatalgarh Sahib’ commemorates the martyrdom of the Guru’s two elder sons, Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, who displayed supreme valour and heroism and became martyrs while fighting against formidable odds.

Other Gurdwaras at Chamkaur Sahib

Gurudwara Qatalgarh Sahib (Shahid Ganj), west of Garhi Sahib, is the main shrine at Chamkaur Sahib. This marks the site where the thickest hand to hand fight took place on 7 December 1705 between the Mughal army and the Sikhs, including the Sahibzadas, Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, and three of the original Gurdwara Bhatha Sahib Ropar Gurdwara Patalpuri Kiratpur Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Chamkaur Sahib Gurdwara Sheshmahal Kiratpur five Piare (the Five Beloved). A Gurdwara was constructed here by Sardar Hardial Singh of Bela in 1831 but that building was replaced during the 1960’s by a new complex raised under the supervision of Sant Piara Singh of Jhar Sahib and later on Sant Bishan Singh of Amritsar. The main building called Manji Sahib is an elegant three storied domed structure standing upon a high base. The large divan hall contains an eight metre square sanctum. Another vast hall close by is called Akal Bunga. It was used for the daily congregations before Manji Sahib was constructed. To the west of Akal Bunga is an old Baoli Sahib is still in use. The Guru ka Langar, community kitchen, is further north from Baoli Sahib and Akal Bunga. The Gurdwara also houses the offices of the local managing committee which administers all historical shrines at Chamkaur under the overall control of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. In addition to the daily services, largely attended assemblies take place on the first of each Bikrami month and on important anniversaries on Sikh calendar. A three day fair called Shahidi Jor Mela is held on 6, 7 and 8 Poh, usually corresponding with 20th, 21st and 22nd December, commemorating the martyrs of Chamkaur.