Historical Gurdwaras in Other States

Historical Gurdwaras in other States of India

When we travel beyond Delhi, the number of historical Gurdwaras in remaining states becomes less as only three Gurus, namely Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Teg Bahadar Ji & Guru Gobind Singh Ji visited these areas. Thus, we also have historical Gurdwaras in the states of Uttar Predesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Predesh and Gujrat. As the number of these Gurdwaras is quiet substantial, we will take only one or two prominent historical Gurdwara in each of these states.

Gurdwara Guru Ka Taal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh

In Uttar Pardesh most of the historical Gurdwaras are associated with Guru Teg Bhadar Ji as he passed through many places in this state while going to and coming from Patna (eg. Allahabad, Lukhnow & Mirzapur). However, there is one Gurdwara at Agra known as Guru Ka Taal, which has a special historical significance. It is this place from where Guru Teg Bahadar Sahib was arrested when he was on his way to Delhi to protect the religious freedom of Hindus. This place is near Sikhandra in Agra. The Guru along with his followers Bhai Mati Das ji, Bhai Sati Das ji Bhai Dyala Ji, Bhai Gurditta Ji, Bhai Uda ji, and Bhai Jaita ji started journey from Shri Anandpur Sahib. Stopping at Saifabad (Patiala), Cheeka, Jind, Rohtak, Janipur Guru Sahib reached here at Agra. Guru Sahib stopped outside Agra city at this place (Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib is situated on the left side of Gurdwara Guru Ka Taal in the same campus). This Gurdwara is being managed by Sant Baba Pritam Singh Ji. Another Gurdwara known as Guru Tegh Bahadar Sahib at Azamgarh is also under their control. The Granthi attending on their behalf at Gurdwara Azamgarh named S. Satnam Singh (Mob. 9454082555) told that there are only two Sikh families in that area. However, on certain occasion when Gurpurabs are celebrated some of the families come from main city and nearby places. The unique feature of this Gurdwara is that it has 25 old hand written Beers of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and 6 hand written Beers of Dasam Granth. Sant Baba Pritam Singh Ji can be contacted on Mob. 9412257675. There is one historical Gurdwara at Allahabad where Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib is stated to have stayed for some days. This Gurdwara, Gurdwara Bari Sangat is managed by Nirmal Panchayati Akhara headed by Giani Sri Mahant Swami Gian Dev Singh Ji. The head office of this Akhara is at Kankhal near Haridwar. They are managing some historical and non-historical Gurdwaras by appointing their persons as in-charge of the said Gurdwaras. The in-charge of Allahabad Gurdwara is Mahant Gian Singh. The Bal Lila Gurdwara at Patna is also managed by this Akhara. The in-charge at that Gurdwara is Baba Kashmir Singh Bhoori Sahib who has got constructed and supervised the beautiful sarai (living rooms for the visitors) near this Gurdwara. Sant Darshan Singh from Nirmal Akhara Kankhal (Mob. 8360431571) in formed that there are various Sampardavas of Nirmal Panth. For example the Dera of S. Mishra Singh at Amritsar is different from Thakur Samparda. Similarly, there is an Antarjami Dera of Nirmalas.

Gurdwara Reetha Sahib

In Uttarakhand, there are 19 historical Gurdwaras, mainly, in Champawat, Haridwar and Udham singh Nagar. The two most famous Gurdwaras of this state are Nanak Matta and Gurdwara Reetha Sahib. Both the Gurdwaras are associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s travels. When Guru Nanak Dev ji met Nath Yogis, a magical event is stated to have taken place. Bhai Mardana Ji asked for food which the Yogis did not give to him. They rather pointed out to him to eat Reethas (a soap nut Tree), which was bitter in taste. Guru ji blessed him and when Bhai Mardana ji ate Reethas, the same had turned sweet. The tradition records that Reethas on that very tree still grow sweet and are given as Parshad to the Sangat. This Gurdwara in Champawat can be contacted on telephone nos. 09456394242 & 05965227601.

Gurdwara Nanak Matta Sahib

Another famous Gurdwara Shri Nanak Matta Sahib is situated 15 kms. west of Khatima Railway Station on road to Tanakpur. Although, it is near the town of Sitarganj, the place has been known after the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who visited this place in 1514 during his 3rd Udaasi. At that time, this place was inhabited by the followers of Gorakhnath and it was called Gorakhmatta. The land for this Gurdwara was donated by Nawab Mahandi Ali Khan. The kar sewa for the construction was started in 1975 and now there stands a beautiful Gurdwara consisting of the main hall, the Langar hall and a sarai for the stay of the devotees. Guru Nanak had discourse with the followers of Gorakhnath and enlightened them about the true religion. As Guru Hargobind Sahib also later on visited this site, a second Gurdwara, named as Gurdwara Pathshai Cheevi has also been built there. The pipal tree under which Guru Nanak had a dialogue with the Gorakhpanthies can still be seen between the main Gurdwara and Gurdwara Pathshai Chhevi. Contact details of this Gurdwara are, the Phone Numbers (Office) 05948-241525 and 05948241244. S. Ranjeet Singh, manager can be contacted on 9917473403. Email is gpc@nanakmattasahib.com.

Gurdwara Gyan Godri Sahib

Before closing discussion on historical Gurdwaras in Uttarakhand, it need to mentioned that Guru Nanak Dev Ji had also visited Haridwar, which now lies in the state of Uttarakhand. When he found that the people gathered at Har Ki Paori were throwing water towards the sun, he started throwing water in the opposite direction towards the west. When Guru was asked as why he was doing so, in his unique style of teaching, he replied that he was throwing water to irrigate his crops in Punjab. When people asked him, how could water reach Punjab, the Guru replied that if it could not reach Punjab, how could it reach the rising sun. Earlier, a place was earmarked as a Gurdwara in memory of this event. However, this small room constructed at that time was removed by the Mahants and now there is no Gurdwara there. The Sikh bodies are requesting the government to allow them to construct a Gurdwara to keep the memory of that event alive with a view to rid the people of superstations. Many demonstrations have already taken place for constructing the said Gurdwara known as Gurdwara Gyan Godri Sahib, but the matter is still pending.

Historical Gurdwaras in Rajasthan

Like other states, Rajasthan too has some famous historical Gurdwaras. The two Gurdwaras which need a particular mention are Gurdwara Shri Budda Johar Sahib, Ganga Nagar and Gurdwara Pehli Pathshai, Pushkar. Ganga Nagar Gurdwara is significant for two reasons, firstly this city has considerable Sikh population as compared to other cities of Rajasthan and secondly, this Gurdwara is associated with the two devout Sikh borthers, Sukha Singh & Mehtab Singh who had gone to Amritsar to punish Massa Rangarh, guilty of sacrilege of Sri Harmandir Sahib. They had cut his head and bringing it here hung it on a tree on 11th August 1740. The Gurdwara was being managed by a committee headed by S. Balkaran Singh, but, when some members parted away from him to form a separate committee under S. Jagjit Singh, a dispute arose between them. Jathedar Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Gurbhachan Singh dissolved both the committees and constituted a nine member committee for managing the affairs until the new constitution is framed and submitted to Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The situation is still complicated as the directions of Sri Akal Takht Sahib have not been followed and it is being insisted upon that both the committees should go and the new Gurdwara committee should be elected from the Sangat. This demand has mainly come from Bhai Bulaka Singh Sangarsh Morcha. While levelling allegations of misappropriation of gurdwara funds on the two management committees, convener BBSSM Hardeep Singh Dibdiba told TOI that they were ready to lay morcha to rid historical gurdwara of the control of two managements. They wouldn’t allow the nine-member committee to take over the management of Gurdwara. “The Gurdwara committee members should be elected from sangat,” said Dibdiba, who is also president of Rajasthan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.

The second Gurdwara is situated at Pushkar, where there is no Sikh population, but, because of the fact that the place was visited by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and also later on by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, a Gurdwara has been constructed here. It is now known as Gurdwara Singh Sabha and functions as a branch of Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Ajmer. The attending Jathedar of this Gurdwara Sahib is Jathedar Sukhwinder Singh (M: 9950098115).

Gurdwara Data Bandi Chor Sahib

In Madhya Pradesh, there are some historical Gurdwaras in some of the cities. For example, in Bhopal, we have Gurdwara Guru Nanak Tekri Sahib (contact no. 09826025322) where Guru Nanak Dev Ji is stated to have visited and cured a leprosy patients. Similarly, in Jabalpur we have Gwarighat Gurdwara. However, the maximum historical gurdwaras are in and around Indore. The gurdwaras like Gurdwara Imli Sahib & Gurdwara Charan Paduka Betma Sahib attract numerous Sikh Pilgrims from all parts of Country. Gurdwara Ankleshwar is also a well known Gurdwara. All these Gurdwaras are associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s travels. However, the most famous Gurdwara in Madhya Pradesh is at Gwalior. The Gurdwara Data Bandi Chor Sahib at Gawalior is one of the most renowned Gurdwaras of India. This is associated with the imprisonment of Guru Har Gobind Sahib in Gwalior Fort and his celebrated release in which he managed to win the freedom of 52 Rajas (Kings) who had long suffered imprisonment in the Fort. The word “Bandi” means “imprisoned”, “Chhor” means “release”. Pilgrims from all over the country visit this Gurdwara to pay homage to Guru Hargobind Sahib. During October/November, the worldwide Sikh Sangat (community) celebrates the safe return of the sixth Nanak, Guru Hargobind from detention from Gwalior Fort in about October 1619. As this day coincides with the Hindu festival of Diwali (“the festival of lights”), the Sikhs have been celebrating Diwali as ‘Bandi Chhor Diwas’. This Gurdwara is under the management control of Baba Sewa Singh Ji (9417208634) of Khadoor Sahib. The other Gurdwaras under this management include Gurdwara Kandh Sahib at Batala and Gurdwara at Dera Baba Nanak. Whereas Gurdwara Kandh Sahib is associated with Guru Nanak’s marriage (wedding party had stayed here near a mud wall), Dera Baba Nanak Gurdwara in Gurdaspur District is the place where Guru Nanak had discussion with Ajita Randhawa. This town is also important as it is the closest place in India to Kartarpur in Pakistan. From any high place, Kartarpur can be seen through binoculars. In view of the forthcoming 550th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, many new plans have been made for this town including the opening of Kartarpur Langha (passage).

Gurdwara Sri Lakhpat Sahib

In Gujrat state also, there are number of historical Gurdwaras relating to the travels of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, as in Baroda Gurdwara Nanakwadi, in Barauch, Gurdwara Chadar Sahib and a Gurdwara in Lakhpat are all stated to have been visited by the first Guru during his travels. However, the Lakhpat Gurdwara is the most well known Gurdwara. It is the place in Gujrat which was visited by Guru Nanak Dev Ji during the fourth Udasi. Lakhpat was earlier part of Sind (now in Pakistan) and is presently situated 170 kilometres from Gandhi Dham. To commemorate Guru Nanak Dev ji’s visit to Lakhpat, a Gurdwara was built in the early years of the nineteenth century. A vast tract of land was bestowed to the Gurdwara to make up expenses for maintenance and to look after the visitors. The revenues from the land and the crops grown there have sustained the Gurdwara. From Lakhpat, Guru ji crossed to Somiani port in Sind for his famous journey onwards to Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. The place served as a seat of the Udasi Sect. Several rare treasures are preserved at Gurdwara Shri Lakhpat Sahib, including the “Charan Paduka” – Khadavas (wooden footwear) that belonged to Guru Nanak Dev ji. At present various extensions are being added to the Gurdwara complex and this “sewa” of additional building of Yatri Niwas (visitor’s sleeping rooms), Langar hall (Dining hall), Diwan Hall (congregation hall) is being undertaken by Shri Baba Lakkha Singh ji – Baruch. The prominence of this Gurdwara was highlighted when it bagged the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Award for the year 2004. The award comprises a scroll and a trophy which goes to CRCI (Cultural Resources Conservation Initiative). The Archaeological Survey of India, the State Department of Archaeology. United Nations Development Programme and United Nations Volunteers supported the Conservation programme which took seven months for restoration, as the Gurudwara was damaged during 1998 cyclone in Gujarat and the January 2001 earthquake in Gujarat. The government of Gujrat undertook the conservation and reconstruction of the 200-year-old Gurdwara at Lakhpat in Kutch district after it was damaged during the 2001 earthquake. Recently, in view of the celebration of 350th Birth anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Gujrat Goverment announced a special grant for renovation of 2 Gurdwaras including Lakhpat Sahib. The other Gurdwara, which was mentioned for this assistance by the chief Minister Sh. Vijay Rupani was the Gurdwara at Bet Dwarka named after one of the Panj Pyaras Bhai Mohkam Singh who belonged to Dwarka. Contact Nos. of this Gurdwara are 011- 23654218, 986853976 (M).

Historical Gurdwaras in Eastern India

Starting from the eastern most part of the country, we have two Historical Gurudwaras in Sikkim. These Gurdwaras are known as Gurdwara Gurudongmar Sahib and Gurdwara Nanak Lama at Chungthang. The first Gurdwara is situated on the banks of a famous lake which is one of the highest lakes in the world. Located at an altitude of 17,800 ft (5,430 m) in the Indian state of Sikkim. It is a lake which is considered sacred by both Buddhists and Hindus. The lake is named after Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, founder of Tibetan Buddhism who visited the lake in the 8th century. The lake has been claimed to have been blessed during the 15th century by Guru Nanak. The lake is now named after Guru Nanak, who is remembered as Gurudongmar. It is believed that when Guru Nanak visited this place during his third udasi, it was meant to solace the Karmapa Nyingmapa sects then being hounded out from Tibet by the Gelugpa sect. These sects had fled from Tibet to the Himalayan belt of Northern India. Many from the Karmapa Nyingmapa sect were the followers of Guru Nanak, as their Head Lamas became Guru Nanak’s followers in Kailash Mansarovar area after being impressed by Guru Nanak’s discussions with the famous Sidhas of the age. Lake Guru Dongmar generally remained frozen. According to a legend some local people approached Guru Ji with an appeal for help. The lake remained frozen during most of the year and rendered it incapable as a source of water. Guru Nanak Dev Ji is said to have touched the lake and it has never frozen since then. Guru Nanak’s footprints, a robe and a water-carrying utensil are preserved in a nearby place called Lachen Gompha. Here the locals refer to Guru Ji as Rimpoche Nanak Guru who on his way to Tibet had rested there.

Gurdwara at Chungthang

The Gurdwara at Chungthang, a town in north Sikkim is situated at the confluence of two rivers: River Lachen and Lachung Chu, both tributaries of the “most scenic” River Teesta. The thumb-shaped state borders Nepal in the west, the Chinese Tibet Autonomous Region to the north and east, Bhutan in the south-east and the Indian state of West Bengal to its south. It is stated that Guru Nanak Dev ji had Dug his walking stick at this place which eventually grew into a tree. This tree has trunk in stick shape and leaves are below the rounded trunk, which looks like handle of stick. It is at this spot that a Gurdwara known as Gurdwara Nanak Lama is located some 95 kilometres from Gangtok at an elevation of almost 18,000 feet above sea level. This Gurdwara was built by the members of Assam rifles battalion. The management of the Gurdwara is also run by the Indian Army. Some time back, the two Gurdwaras in Sikkim were in news when an incident of displacement of Sri Guru Granth Sahib from the Gurdwara Gurudongmar lake was made by local Buddhists. They had left belongings of the Gurdwara, including the ‘saroop’ of Guru Granth Sahib, other scriptures, a photograph of Guru Nanak Dev and a few belongings in front of Gurdwara Nanak Lama. It was said the Gurdwara administration informed the local police before shifting all articles, as well as Guru Granth Sahib, inside Gurdwara Nanak Lama. A team was sent by SGPC to sort out the matter, but it still remains unresolved. Let us hope that dispute, if any with the local people will be amicably settled and the Sikhs will be able to visit these two religious places.

Historical Gurdwaras in Assam

The next state is Assam, where we have a very famous historical Gurdwara known as Gurudwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadar Sahib in Dhubri. This famous Gurdwara, situated on the bank of river, Brahmputra, was originally built in the memory of Guru Nanak Dev Ji who is believed to have visited this place in 1505AD while travelling from Dhaka to Assam. Later on, Guru Tegh Bahadar Sahib visited the place and established the Gurdwara. It was during his stay in Dhubri that the Guru received the news about the birth of his son at Patna. Sikh devotees from all over India and the world assemble in this Gurdwara every year in the month of December to mark the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadar with due solemnity and ceremony. Sikh devotees call this festival Sahidee Gurpurab. The management of this Gurdwara is looked after by Sikh Pratinidhi Board Eastern Zone, which is the apex body of the Sikhs living in Northeastern states and North Bengal including Siliguri with members drawn from all over the region. The Board undertakes various activities for the development of Sikhs in particular and people of the region in general. The Board was established in 1981. Its head office is at Gurdwara Dhubri Sahib. S. Tahal Singh (9435100984) and S. Kulwant Singh are presently its president and general secretary.

Historical Gurdwaras of Orissa

When Guru Nanak Dev Ji travelled through Orissa, his destination was the famous Hindu Shrine at Jagannathpuri. On the way to puri, he stayed at Cuttack, where we have a historical Gurdwara dedicated to his stay, known as Gurdwara Datun Sahib. It was at Jagannathpuri that Guru Nanak composed his immortal Aarti. It is said that in the evening when the priests performed Aarti. Guru Nanak stood there as a silent spectator as if nothing was happening. He came out in the open and sang the following hymn :

“The entire sky is the silver plate. The Moon and the Sun are lamps. The luminous stars are studded in it like jewels. The wind was the scent of all flowers on earth. Thus worship performed, O Thou the destroyer of births! And the unstuck melody of his word ringeth through the universe. Millions are Thy eyes and yet Thou have no eye. Millions are Thy feet and yet Thou have no feet, Millions are Thy noses and yet Thou have no nose, and through the Guru’s instruction this light is illuminated, 0 people! That alone is worship that pleased my Lord. Like the honey is to bee, my mind cherishes the honey of His Lotus feet. O Lord! Allay the thirst of Nanak, thy Sarang, O Lord of Bliss! So that he merges in His Name.”

Thus, the Guru Preached against idolatry and exhorted the people to sing the praises of one formless God who was God of all ‘The place where Guru Nanak sang the above mentioned hymn, a Math was created by Udasi Priests. It was first established by Bhai Almast, the notable Udasi Priest during the middle of 17th century. However, the same, being not a Gurdwara in the right earnest, it was being felt that a Gurdwara be constructed at some nearby available place so that the great event of composition of a great hymn, about which Tagore had said that it was an international anthem for the entire world, be commemorated. When Bhai Shamsher Singh of Delhi visited this place, he discussed the matter with the Sadh Sangat of Orissa and adjoining states and decided to stay back and built a beautiful Guru Ghar. Despite the fact that there is no Sikh family living in Jagannathpuri, Baba Ji purchased a plot of land and started constructing a Gurdwara. It is worth mentioning here that one of the five beloveds of Guru Gobind Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, also belonged to this place. So, realizing the importance of this place in Sikh history, a beautiful Gurdwara called Gurdwara Aarti Sahib, a four storey building, has been built now. Beautiful rooms built in it are given free to the Sangat. The Langar of Guru continues 24 hrs. Anyone from any religion, caste or creed can stay here; have Langar and blessings of Guru Maharaj.

Historical Gurdwaras in West Bengal

The state of West Bengal has 11 historical Gurdwaras, mostly at Howra-Kolkatta, including two at Malda and one at Durgapur. However, Gurdwara Bari Sangat, Kolkatta is the most notable Gurdwara in West Bengal which commemorates the visits of both Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Tegh Bahadar Sahib. This Gurdwara, situated in Tullapati Cotton Street is very popular among the Sikhs. When SGPC was constituted, this Gurdwara was also brought under their control, but this arrangement could not continue for a long time and ultimately a managing committee of its own was formed. Presently, this management committee is headed by S. Kamikar Singh. The Gurdwara can be contacted on phone no. 003332914166.

Historical Gurdwaras in South India

South India is comprised of five states, namely Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala. In addition, there are 3 union territories, namely Andaman and Nikobaar, Lakhsdeep & Puducerry. The Sikh population in the south India is very small as compared to the rest of Indian states except the far east. However as Guru Nanak travelled throughout the country and beyond for enlightening the people about the true path of religion based upon the principals of oneness of God and equality and fraternity among all the people, there are a number of spots even in south India which commemorate the visit of the great Guru. Thus, we have Gurdwaras in Rameshwaram, Kanchipuram, Thagaraya and Gurdwara Tilgangi Sahib located near Palipuram and Kotayam in the state of Tamilnadu.

Gurdwara Guru Nanak Dham at Rameswaram

Remeshwaram Gurudwara known as Gurudwara Guru Nanak Dham is managed by Sri Guru Nanak Sat Sangh Sabha and Educational Society. According to them Sri Guru Nanak visited Rameswaram in 1511 and stayed for 19 days on his return journey from Sri Lanka, where he preached to break the barriers of passion and prejudice. He made significant contribution in solving the problems of Shivnabh, King of Sri Lanka, and 18 others. When S. Surjeet Singh Barnala was the Governor of Tamil Nadu, he managed to collect donations from Sikhs living in Tamil Nadu and around and they said Sabha was constituted for the construction and management of the Gurdwara. Now there are rooms available for the visiting pilgrims and important days like Gurpurabs are celebrated here. For a contact with this Gurdwara S. Gurmeet Singh can be approached at phone no. 007200300356.

Other Gurdwaras of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in South

The main Gurudwara Pehli Patshasi Kanchipuram is located in district Changalpat about 75km from Chennai. Another Gurudwara commemorating the visit of Guru Nanak Dev ji is called Sri Talgangi Sahib in Kottayam near Trivandrum. It is stated that a number of Yogis used to live there. In the course of discourse with the Yogis, Guru Nanak explained the principle of sharing with others, especially the needy, with whatever you have. The yogis gave Guru Nanak a ‘Til’ (sesame seed) and asked if he could share it with others. Guru Nanak asked Bhai Mardana to take the seed, put it in a small earthen trough and crush it. Guru Nanak then asked for the remains of the sesame seed to be added to water, giving everyone present a sip of water to drink. The place is now called Tilganj Sahib, wherein udasi mendicants used to live up to the 1960s. There is one more Gurdwara, situated at the the foothills of the Nilgiri mountains in Coimbatore (91-422-2550605). It is believed that Guru Nanak Dev Ji left his footprints here on his way back from Sri Lanka. There is one Gurdwara known as Gurdwara Pehli Patshasi located in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh.

Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib

Coming to Karnataka a Gurudwara named Gurudwara Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib is situated in a place called Bidar in Karnataka. Gurudwara Shri Mai Bhago Sahib is located in Janawada village, near about 10 km away from the city of Bidar. Although all these Gurudwara’s are being visited by the tourists, Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib attracts the maximum tourists, sometimes more than five lakhs in a year. During the three melas (main events/festivities) held during Holi in the month of March, Dussehra in October and Guru Nanak’s birthday in November, the numbers of visitors swells to about 30,000 a day. It is believed that when Guru Nanak visited this place, there used to be acute shortage of drinking water in Bidar. All efforts of the people to dig wells were of no avail. Even when wells produced water the water was found to be unfit for drinking. The Guru was greatly moved by the miserable condition of the people. With divine name on his lips and the mercy in his heart he touched the hillside with his toe and removed some rubble from the place. To the utter surprise of all, a fountain of sweet, cool water gushed out of the hillside. The place soon came to be known as ‘Nanak-Jhira’. Now this water fountain has been named as an Amrit Kund and a big Gurudwara has been built around it. The management of Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib now runs a free hospital, an engineering college (Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College), a Polytechnic, a college and two schools, one of them being in Hyderabad. A number of students, particularly Sikh students, come for doing engineering and other courses to these institutions. There are a number of rooms available for the stay of the devotees. Free kitchen (Langar) is available all the time. S. Balbir Singh (9844001500) is the President of the Gurdwara Management Committee. The Contact details of the Gurdwara Sahib are: Email : nanakjhirabidar@gmail. com. Contact numbers are: 08482228274, 9880966845 and 9945483601.

Gurdwara Tap Asthan Mai Bhago

There is another Gurdwara at Bidar. This is known as Gurdwara Tap Asthan Mai Bhago. This Gurdwara is situated 11 kilometres from Bidar along the Bidar-Barauli-Auradh road. Mai Bhago, the surviving heroine of the battle of Muktsar, who had left Nanded after the passing of Guru Gobind Singh ended up settling near the important historic Gurdwara Nanak Jhira where she spent the rest of her saintly life at Jinwada in a house just outside the walls of the fortress of Bala Rao and Rustam Rao, two Maratha chiefs in whose release from captivity Guru Gobind Singh had been instrumental. This house was maintained as a holy place after her death. When Gurdwara Nanak Jhira was occupied by Sikhs in 1948, they also acquired this house of Mai Bhago from its last caretaker, Gulab Rao, and set up “Gurdwara Tap Asthan Mai Bhago” – “Shrine of the place of meditation of Mai Bhago”. It was a simple small room with a verandah in front maintained by the managing committee of Gurdwara Nanak Jhira Sahib, Bidar. It also need to be mentioned here that Bhai Sahib Singh, one of the Panj Piaras (five beloved of Guru Gobind Singh), hailed from Bidar where he was once a barber. He was the son of Gurunarayana and Ankamma from Bidar. Thus, the city of Bidar has become a popular Sikh pilgrimage centre.

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