Historical Gurdwaras of Punjab - Guru Tegh Bahadur
Birthplace
Gurdwara Guru Ka Mahl, Dist. Amritsar
This was the birthplace of Guru Hargobind's sons Guru Tegh Bahadur born here in 1621 and his brother Baba Atal Rai (1630). Guru Hargobind lived here for some time and was also married in this house. Guru Arjan 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.
.jpg "Gurdwara Guru Ka Mahl")
The Guru is Found!
Gurdwara Baba Bakala, Dist. Amritsar
Guru Harkrishan before he died in 1644 had said that his successor could be found at Bakala. When Sikhs flocked there they were confronted with 22 members of the Gurus family each claiming that they were the Guru. Meanwhile a wealthy merchant Makhan Shah had his ships carrying valuable cargo caught in a fierce storm at sea. He vowed to offer five hundred gold coins to the Guru if his goods safely reached home. The ships reached port safely and Makhan Shah made his way to Bakala to pay homage to the Guru. When he finally got there he was confronted with all the same quandary as the rest of the Sikhs, who was the real Guru? Being a businessman Makhan Shah decided that he would pay homage to all of the twenty two claimants and placed two gold coins before each of them as tribute. When he had visited all of the claimants, a child pointed out to him that a holy man lived across the street. Makhan Shah decided that he may as well pay him tribute also. When Makhan Shah entered the house he found that Guru Tegh Bahadur was in meditation. He was told that Tegh Bahadur who had lived here in quiet meditation for many years did not like to receive visitors. Makhan Shah waited until he met the Guru and placed two gold coins before him. At this Guru Tegh Bahadur smiled and said to Makhan Shah, “I thought that you had pledged five hundred coins”. Makhan Shah became so elated that he kissed the Gurus feet and started shouting from the rooftop “I’ve found the Guru, found the Guru!”. All the Sikhs rushed to the house of the quiet saint and when they heard the story there was much rejoicing for many days. Thus the pious, humble saint Tegh Bahadur was acclaimed here as being the true Guru of the Sikhs and natural successor of Guru Harkrishan.
Curing Pains
Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib, Dist. Patiala
Built on the spot where Guru Tegh Bahadur rested while passing through the area in 1662. The Guru meditated under a banyan tree near a pond. Bathing in the sacred tank of the Gurdwara is believed to cure many ailments.
Visit to a Friend
Gurdwara Bahadurgarh, Dist. Patiala
Guru Tegh Bahadur stayed here for two months with his family during his travels of the Malwa region in early 1674. The Guru had come to visit his old friend Saif Khan the Nawab of Saifabad.
Missionary Work
Gurdwara Pathshahi Nouvin, Talwandi Sabo, Dist. Bathinda
A Gurdwara near Takht Sri Damdama Sahib dedicated to the memory of the visit of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The Guru undertook extensive travels throughout Punjab preaching and visiting various Sikh sangats, getting wells dug, purchasing cows and giving them free to peasants and planting trees at suitable places. This same place would later be visited by Guru Gobind Singh.
