- Historical Gurdwaras of Punjab Classified by Guru -
"True is that place, where the mind becomes pure. True is the one who abides in Truth."
| Guru and Gurdwaras |
|---|
| Guru Nanak |
| Guru Angad |
| Guru Amar Das |
| Guru Ram Das |
| Guru Arjan |
| Guru Hargobind |
| Guru Har Rai |
| Guru Harkrishan |
| Guru Tegh Bahadur |
| Guru Gobind Singh |
| Famous Sikhs |
Historical Gurdwaras of Punjab Guru Nanak
1. Hazards of Marriage
Gurdwara Kandh Sahib, Batala, Dis. Gurdaspur
Guru Nanak was married here to Bibi Sulakhani. He was engaged to the daughter of Mul Chand Chauna who along with the Brahmin priests insisted on a traditional Hindu marriage while Guru Nanak wanted a simple marriage. Guru Nanak was sitting besides a crooked mud wall (kandh) discussing the marriage plans with the Brahmin clergy. It was planned to push the wall on top of the Guru but Guru Nanak was warned of the plan by an old woman. Guru Nanak just smiled and said "This wall will not fall for centuries. The will of God shall prevail." The wall is still preserved within the Gurdwara and a celebration is held here every year on the anniversary of Guru Nanak's marriage.
2. Life as an Accountant
Gurdwara Hatt Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi, Dist. Kapurthala
As a young man Guru Nanak was convinced by his family to accept employment here as the accountant of the provisions of Nawab Daulat Khan Lodhi. Guru Nanak got the job on the recommendations of his brother-in-law Jai Ram. The Nawab was very much impressed by the young Guru who would work diligently in the day and spend the evenings and night singing the praises of God with his friends.
3. Start of a Family
Gurdwara Guru Ka Bagh, Sultanpur Lodhi, Dist. Kapurthala
Guru Nanak spent 14 years in Sultanpur Lodhi as a young man working for Nawab Daulat Khan Lodhi. This was the house of Guru Nanak where his two sons Baba Sri Chand and Baba Lakhmi Chand were born. Guru Nanak tested his two sons, but neither proved worthy of being his sucessor. Baba Lakhmi Chand was too involved in worldly affairs while Baba Sri Chand chose the path of renunciation and became an asthetic.
4. Jailed by Jealousy
Gurdwara Kothi Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi, Dist. Kapurthala
Guru Nanak worked for Nawab Daulat Khan Lodhi in charge of his accounts. The Guru was temorarily jailed here on the orders of the Nawab while all the accounts where checked. It had been reported to the Nawab by jelous elements that the Guru was stealing from the inventory as his predecessor had. When the inventory was checked and found to be intact, the Nawab released Guru Nanak & appologized profusely, even offering Guru Nanak a promotion to Prime Minister of the state. Guru Nanak refused to accept the position as he had decided to dedicate his life to the spread of Sikhism.
5. Communion with God
Gurdwara Ber Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi, Dist. Kapurthala
At this spot Guru Nanak would go bathing early in the mornings in the Bein river before meditation. While bathing here one day Guru Nanak disappeared in the stream and was missing for three days where he was in communion with God. Upon returning the enlightened Guru Nanak began his lifelong mission of preaching Sikhism. Guru Nanak had planted a Ber (jujube) tree seedling on this spot which has today grown into a large tree.
6. Discussions with the Yogis
Gurdwara Achal Sahib, Dist. Gurdaspur
During his travels Guru Nanak stopped here at the center of the Nathpanthi Yogis. Many people gathered to meet and hear the Guru and this caused jealousy among the Yogis that they were being ignored. Their leader Yogi Bhangar Nath had a long religious debate in which Guru Nanak argued that asceticism and renunciation were not the ways to reach God. Guru Nanak said that the yogis were hypocrites because outwardly they renounced the world yet they would go to peoples houses to beg for food. Yogi Bhangar Nath started performing magic but was humbled when he lost the ability in front of Guru Nanak. The Guru told Yogi Bhangar Nath that all such tricks and miracles were insignificant compared to the love and grace of God.
7. The Final Years
Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak, Dist. Gurdaspur
After a lifetime of travel and converting the masses Guru Nanak settled down here at Kartarpur on his farm on the banks of the river Ravi. Guru Nanak discarded his pilgrims dress and adopted the clothes of a householder. Guru Nanak believed that true religion could be practiced and salvation achieved while living in the world without the need for renunciation. Guru Nanak also taught his Sikhs the great value of earning an honest living. Here Guru Nanak settled down with his family and many followers and started farming the land. Days would be spent in farming while mornings and evenings would be spent in prayer and singing the praises of God. Over centuries the river Ravi has shifted courses and the part of the farm where Guru Nanak passed away in 1539 is on the other side of the river in Pakistan, while Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak is on the Indian side of the border where Guru Nanak used to meditate daily. In the Gurdwara is preserved a chola (robe) which Guru Nanak recieved as a gift while visiting Mecca.
