Winkie

Listing below historical gurudwaras in states of India. All these gurudwaras have a link with our Gurus and Sikh History. Not mentioned here are the gurudwaras found in Pakistan related to Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Gurudwaras in Bangladesh related to Guru Tegh Bhadur Saheb ji. The source of this listing is Sikh Shrines in India: G S Randhir (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) Here detailed history of all these gurudwaras is given. The Sikh Historical Shrines in Punjab: Amritsar: Golden Temple Sri Akal Takht Baba Atal Gurudwara Ramsar Lohgarh Guru-Ki-Wadali Gurudwara Baba Bakala Khadur Saheb Ludhiana: Gurudwara Alamgir Gurudwara Raikot Ropar: Anandpur Saheb Kiratpur Saheb Gurudwara Parivar Vichod Bhatha Saheb Sri Chamkaur Saheb Gurdaspur Achal Saheb Dera Baba Nanak Batala: Kandh Saheb Bhatinda: Gurudwara Saheb Damdama Saheb Gurudwara Zafarnama Talwandi Sabo Takhatpura Tarn Taran Faridkot: Gurudwara Dina Goindwal: Baoli Saheb Chaubara Sahib Ferozapur: Gurudwara Daroli Bhai Sri Hargobindpur: Damdama Saheb Manji Saheb Jalandhar: Gurudwara Chhevin Padshahi Jaitu: Gurudwara Gangasar Kartarpur: Gurudwara Tham Saheb Machhiwara: Gurudwara Machhiwara Gurudwara Charan Kanwal Faridkot: Gurudwara Muktsar Nangal: Gurudwara Ghat Saheb Vibhore Saheb Patiala Dukhnivaran Saheb Gurudwara Bhadur Garh Sangrur: Gurudwara Bhadaur Sirhand: Fatehgarh Saheb Sultanpur Lodhi: Gurudwara Hatt Saheb Ber Saheb Kothi Saheb The Sikh Historical Shrines in Haryana: Ambala: Manji Saheb Gurudwara Gobindpura Gurudwara Badshahi Bagh Lakhnaur Saheb Gurudwara Kapal Mochan Panjokhra Saheb Panchkula: Nadha Saheb Manji Saheb The Sikh Historical Shrines in Himachal Pradesh: Nahan: Paonta Saheb Bhangani Saheb Gurudwara Pir Budhhu Shah Kangra: Gurudwara Nadaun Una: Manikaran Saheb Mandi: Gurudwara Mandi Gurudwara Rawalsar The Sikh Historical Shrines in Jammu Kashmir: Srinagar: Gurudwara Srinagar Mattan: Gurudwara Mattan The Sikh Historical Shrines in Delhi: Sis Ganj Rakab Ganj Bangla Saheb Gurudwara Mata Sundri Bala Saheb Gurudwara Moti Bagh Damdama Saheb Majnu-Ka-Tilla Nanak Piao Gurudwara Banda Bhadur The Sikh Historical Shrines in Uttar Pradesh: Uttaranchal: Hemkund Saheb Hardwar: Gurudwara Nanakwara Nanital: Nanak Matta Varanasi Guru Ka Bagh Agra: Gurudwara Mai Than Allahabad: Gurudwara Pukka sangat The Sikh Historical Shrines in Madhya Pradesh: Gawalior: Gurudwara Bandichhor The Sikh Historical Shrines in Maharashtra: Nanded: Hazur Saheb Damadama sahib Gurudwara Mata Saheb Devan Gurudwara Mal Tekri Saheb Hira Ghat Nagina Ghat Shikar Ghat The Sikh Historical Shrines in Assam: Dhanpur: Barcha Saheb Damdama Saheb The Sikh Historical Shrines in Bihar: Patna: Patna Saheb Gau Ghat Guru Ka Bagh The Sikh Historical Shrines in Orrisa: Puri: Gurdwara Mangu Math The Sikh Historical Shrines in West Bengal: Gurudwara Bari Sangat- Kolkatta The Sikh Historical Shrines in Karnatka: Nanak Jhira: Bidar

There is a book called Bhai saheb Bhai Veer Singh Ji authored by Maha Singh Gyani. It was published in 1969. It tells us all about his works, His Gurumukha Jeevan and all incidents related to his life, whole biography. Nice book but is in Punjabi. Will try to translate few parts in English for sikhawareness sangat. Bhai Saheb ji's books on poetry are just amazing, Below are two of his poems from his best books Mere Saiyan Jeeyo. 1.Dard Dekh Dukh Aunda Duniya Da Dukh Dhek Dhek Dil Dabda Dabda Janda Andarla Panghar Vag Turda Neino Neer Vasanda Phir Ve Dard Na Ghate Jagat Da Chahe Aappa Varo Par Pathar Nahin Banya Janda Dard Dekh Dukh Aunda 2.Meri Jindey Tera Thaun Kisey Nadi De Kinarey Tera Thaun Kisey Jungle Beley Tere Bhagan Vich Arshan Te Udna Te Gaundyan Phiran Akeley Tera Jeevan Sega Tere He Joga Tu Aappe Aape Naal Kheley Tu Kivein Rolian Vich Aa Khaloti Tere Char Chuferey Jhameley

For me Sikhi is great faith where I live in the blessed fort created by my Gurus and sant mahapurakhs where one can go deep into the flowery water of naam bani, where I am always a learner, where I feel the beauty of the holy, where i can see absolute beauty, giving me an aspiration towards a pure idea for all humanity, where there is a goal for me to acheive, where i tread on a path of self realisation and spiritual perfection and i am in constant touch with my God, and without Him I cannot live.

Holla Mahla: Source: Holi Tu Holla ( Principal Satbir Singh, Born1st March1932- died 18 August 1994) On 11 th November 1675 Guru Gobind Singh after his father’s martyrdom saw that Sikhan vich ‘Abhay Pad’ was yet to come. Guruji was in thoughts that what is that weakness which had caught the Sikhs? Guru had to take the weakness out of Sikhs. ‘Guru Dikhlaee mori Jit Mrig padat Hai chori. Holla Mahla also means this. Holla means Hamla and Mahl means jayey. To find out where to attack so that enemy which is sitting inside and also around us is defeated. To attack at that place where suspicion of mind is broken. To find out weakness so that cowardice is removed. Maadi awastha di tha Pakijgi ley lavey. Es mantav layi Guru ji ne Holla celebrate karn atey Mahla chadan da faisla kita. Holla nu Hull da vigdaya roop vi kahya jaanda hai. Hull means Talwar di nok. Talwar di nok utey Khedna hi sikhi hai. The path of sikhi is Khaniyo Tikha and this path starts from where path of duniya is ended. Pehla maran kabool jeevan ki chad aas hai’ te phir ‘Hon sabhna ki renuka’ taan phir guru milda hai. Aisa manan te karan wala sikh he Safalta naal mahla chad sakega. Such a Sikh after crossing the Charan ganga reaches Fateh garh and Guru Gobind singh ji di khushian prapt karega. Anandpur vich hun taak holla mahla Loh garh tun chal ke Fateh garh tak pujan di reeti Nibhai ja rahi hai. When Guru Gobind Singh sat on throne he thought that it is important to find out that weakness jis de sahmney Ijjat lootindi dekh ke log chup ho jaande? Which is that disease jis ne insaan nu kamjor kar dita hai? What is that air who has blown all the green gardens in human life? What is that web jis ne insaan nu apne vich fas leya hai? What is that poisnous snake jis ne aisa dasya ki saari manukhta hi nidhal ho dig gayi? What is that magic jis de prabhav heth man has turned animal. To name this disease Guru Gobind Singh ji said it is “ Selfishness- Khudgarjee” Out of selfishness is born jealousy and jealousy gives birth to hatred Es hatred ne he Uch neech de khayalan nu pakiyan keeta hai Es ne ek nu kamjor atey duje nu abhimani bana dita. To destroy this high and low among men was the first aim of Guruji. And when such was destroyed taan holi da subhao he badal gya. And khandey da amrit ne te Singh bana dita. New colours came to Anandpur Saheb now. New society was formed. This culture on the day of holla mahla competition de takrey hon lag gaye From that day eh reet ban gayi ki two dal were formed And both had its own pradhan and then competion took place one to attack the other and the other to defend himself. The dal which won used to get reward from Guruji. The manukh earlier used to act for show biz now acted for happiness and the ras of others. Jo subhao earlier was ahankar(haathi) lazy (bald) Kaam (Gadha) Amodpuna(Bhainsa) Atey Atchaturaiee (Kan) vala see Hun change ho ke Gun gavo (Rababi) Sada sad jagat Prem (Pakhavaj) Bhakti atey Nirmal Nirmalta Vala ho gaya Pheel rababi Bald pakhavaj Kauaa taal bajavey Pehr cholna Gadha nacchey Bhainsa bhagat karavey (assa kabir ji) Nimrata Ne ahankaar nu muka dita Jis Manukh da subhao ek dujey nu dasna se Jis da subhao pith vich churi maran da se Us di agyanta ult ke gyan ban gayi Us nu sujhi aa gayi ki mitr-ghat karna kitna ghor paap hai This change brought in mankind was so powerful that now no one feared to put his feet on fire. To speak and fight against Julum. Talwar di nok ute sikh khedn lag paye Eh ajeeb lali, lal rang Holley Mahlaey ne chad dita. Naam da lal rang, Sewa da lal rang, Julum against bolan da lal rang, Daan da lal rang and gyan da lal rang. ‘Lal rang tis ko laga Jis ke vadbhaga Maila kadey na hovi na lagey daaga.’ Today let us ask out the same questions from ourselves? We have to search this weakness inside and around us. Are we on the same path as Guruji said? ‘Yahi Kaaj Dhara Hum Janamang Samajh leyo sadhu sabh Manmang Dharam Chalavan Sant Ubaran Dusht sabhan ko Mool udharan.’

'Eh Kinehi Daat Aapas Te Jo Pieye Nanak Sa Karmat Saheb Tuthe Jo Miley' Dhan Baba Lal Singh Ji. This Lal Singh when first came to join the Paltan in fauj there was no one to give his reference and identification without this shinakhat no one was introduced in the army. As baba Lal Singh Ji depressed was about to leave he met Baba Karam Singh Ji there. Seeing Lal Singh Ji sad Baba ji asked the reason and on hearing about that no one was giving his identification,Baba Karam Singh Ji who didnt knew Lal Singh Ji before at once went to the officer in charge and gave his shinakhat. Dhan baba Lal SIngh ji who then was so deeply impressed that he too soon became a true bhagat and sewak of waheguru. Baba Karam Singh ji di cho naal many became sants. Sant Harnam Singh Ji and Sant Nagina Singh ji is also worth mentioning here. A recent event going to take place at Gurudwara Hoti Mardan Baba Khem Singh Ji di 6 th Barsi 13th March 2005 Gurudwara Hoti Mardan Saheb vich manai ja rahi hai.

Many scholars, poets, learned men have done lots of research on Man:mind and soul. This continous research of what is man or rather mind and soul is going on and on but Dhan Sri Guru Granth Saheb Ji where we can find all the answers to such questions. As Bhai Saheb Maskeen Ji used to discuss this frequently about mind and soul. He used to say Tan Di Apni Sadhna hai,Te Man Di Apni Sadhna Hai.. Dharamak Sadhna Man Di Shadhna Hai.. To elaborate it Jo Karam Asi karde haan Je Uss vich Man shamil Nahin tan oh Man da hisa nahin banda that sanaskar is not formed in the mind. As Guru Nanak Dev Ji said in Japji Saheb 'Puni Paapi Akhan Nahey Kar Kar Karna Likh Le Jaho.. If we are doing Path, we are sitting at a Gurudwara, we are listening to Keertan but if we are not deeply involved in that with our pure heart and mind (Man) then that sanskar or action is not recorded as our good deeds. Maskeen Saheb Ji in one of his katha had said that whenever any person does a bad deed his Man his totally involved in that he performs that action with full concentration because he is always in fear , fear from society, fear from law fear from being caught. So without fear we cannot be deeply involved in any thing. In same way we are not involved in total while doing path or keertan because that good action which we are portraying as doing good deed is not recorded in our heart and mind because that is being done without any fear. Simran or Bhakti done with fear is more deep rooted, fear of God, fear that one day we have to leave this earth will bring us much closer to God and one day when this good deed being done for fear becomes a sanskar for mind and soul then Ucchi awastha vich Ja ke becomes one with God attains Parmatma and that fear then vanishes and it turns into a sanaskar where we are always thinking of God our thoughts are pure and actions good. 'Simar Simar Satguru Apna Soya Man Jagaya' So to do jap with concentration Puri ekagarta Naal Bolya Waheguru Da Jaap Man Andar Sanskar ban janda hai Guru Nanak Dev Ji says 'Kaya Kagad Man Parvana, Ser ke Lekh Na Pahdey Iyana.' Means that Kaya or body is like a paper kagad, In this paper whatever is written that is Man that makes Man the mind.. Guru Ji says that no one has that vidya to read the mind or man And these are the lekh of our heads that our mind has written. Guru Nanak Dev Ji says even many highly intellectuals and educated persons too have failed to read the mind 'Padhya Murakh Akheye Jit Labh Lobh Ahankar.' Then how to read and control this mind or man. 'Har Veley Amrit Da Bijya Bhagat Khaye Kharach Rahe Nikhotey' 'Nirban Keertan Gayo Karte Ka Nimakh Simar Jit Chutey' 'Ek Chit Je Ek Chin Dhayo' So when we do Naam Simran with pure conscience and with concentration then we can read our man and those bad sanskaras that already have accumulated in the mind slowely start to dissolve and pure man and thoughts take their place. Jiyo Waheguru ji da sanskar man te banda jaye Tiyon tiyon hi Baki sarey sanskar jo man te ne Mit jandey han. Vikaran De sanskar Kaam Lobh Krodh Mit Jandey Ne Santokh vich Bani padhna da bal us Akal Purakh tu Milda hai If one part of the mind Jaag Jaye then from the shakti of simran baki part also jag jande han 'Shabad Guru Surat Dhun Chela' If we come to that stage where while meditating on waheguru we are getting anand and happiness if we listen to keertan and are happy in that listening then samjho man jagda ja raheya hai and that is anand di dhuni on our mind. When one reaches in this stage where his milap with that Pramatma Oh sohney Akaal Purakh Naal aa Jaye then we get a new birth, Eh Janam Jap to hounda hai New birth because Man khatam ho jaanda hai This new Man emerges and begins to shine. Where that soul sees Nirankar ta roop in each one..'Eh Vis sansar tum Dekhdey Eh Har Ka roop Hai Har roop Nadri Aaya'. 'Satguru Ke Janamey Gavan Mitayaa' The cycle of birth and death goes away when this new birth at the house of God takes place. Hari Da roop Sabh te Nazar Aunda hai Te Anand di prapti houndi hai

Great!

Babaniyan Kahaniyan………. Principal Satbir Singh Ji the great Sikh Historian was born on 1st March 1932. He was son of Bhai Harnam Singh and Mata Ranjit Kaur. Born with a great and deep heart as the river Jhelum his birth place, was fortunate to accompany great scholars like Prof. Teja Singh, Principal Jodh Singh and Principal Saheb Singh at very young age. He himself became a learned scholar, writer, historian and a puran Gursikh whose speeches and writings are a valuable asset to our Panth. As Bhai Saheb Bhai Veer Singh Ji says Seeney Khich Jina Ne Khadi Oh Kar Aram Nahin Bahendey” Today we remember him on his birth anniversary whose name is shining like other great scholars Bhai Nand Lal, Bhai Sahib Veer Singh and Principal HarKrishan Singh. Principal Satbir singh ji died on 18 August 1994. He had written number of books and articles. Today as I took out one of his articles to read from my own little library it made myself proud once again to be a Sikh. I am going to describe below some extracts from his famous article “Anokha Jaloos” which is heart rendering and it seems whatever is written there is taking place right in front of our eyes. Dhan Sikhi Te dhan O Sikh. Anokha Jaloos (written in 1958) Jaloos (Procession) is a medium of expression. Many such processions have taken place by mankind from time immemorial. Some take out to express happiness, some to express anger, some for religious purposes, some to show his prosperity and some to fear others. Julius Ceasar had taken out a procession to create fear on the citizens of Pompey. In todays century Mao Ji Tung had taken out procession at Peiking to celebrate his victory. Queen Elizabeth II also had taken out a procession at London which is still remembered by many. We also took out a procession at Amritsar Akali Conference. But a procession which I am now going to narrate should not at all be forgotten and has to be reminded again and again by us and told to coming Sikh generations so that they also know the bravery of Sikhi and our Khalsa Panth. This Jaloos had made a deep impact on the historians and the people who had witnessed this jaloos. The then Shah Farrukhshiyar to create fear on his men had ordered this procession. This Jaloos was taken out on 29 Feb 1716 at almost all the bazaars of Delhi. There were 740 people in this procession but blood stained heads hanging on spears and behind that hundreds of heads followed which was a barbaric scene. As we know that Guru Gobind Singh Ji had sent Banda Bhadur from Nanded to Punjab to curb the atrocities of Mughals. Just before Guru Gobind Singh’s death in October 1708AD Guruji gave Banda Singh the military command of the Sikhs in Punjab and charged him to protect the people from the oppression of Wazir Khan the then Governor of Sirhind. But during his northward journey from Deccan Banda came to know that Guru Gobind Singh had been stabbed by an assassin sent by Wazir Khan. Banda Bhadur took revenge and killed Wazir. Seeing the rising Banda who was now a terror for Mughals, Farrukhshiyar ordered Abdus Samad Khan the Nawab of Lahore and Zakariya Khan the faujdar of Jammu to create a Jahad against Banda and kill him. For nearly five years Banda and his men remained a terror to the imperialists till at last the Mughal armies helped by the Hindu Chiefs of the hill states laid siege to his army at Gurdas Nangal where after eight months of fighting Banda and his men surrendered because months of starvation had made them weak and helpless. On 7th December 1715 Banda and his men were caught. And though now in the hands of Mughal still they feared from Banda Singh. Tau Bhi Sabh Bande Te Darre Mare Sher Se Jiyon Gaj Tarey. They were afraid that with his power of Sikhi Banda might fly away into the air as well and escape. Heavily chained and locked in an iron cage Banda was brought to Delhi on 29th February 1716 AD and paraded throughout the city with a cortege of half dead prisoners and bleeding heads of many Sikhs carried on spears. Zakariya Khan planned to take a procession of these Sikhs at Delhi and hand them over to Farrukhshiyar. Zakariya Khan wicked mind thought that these are only few hundred singhs so he caught 2000 more Sikhs and had their heads chopped and hanged them on spears. The kesh of Dhan Guru De Sikhs were blowing in the air. Each head was carried on each spear held by a Mughal soldier. After these heads the last spear of the procession had a dead cat hanging down symbolizing that even cats were put to death from Sikh forts. After that followed an elephant on which the cage of Banda the brave was put on elephant’s back. These nasty Mughals had blackened the faces of Sikhs and were made to wear caps made out of skin of sheep. All this was done so that people and the spectators seeing the jaloos could laugh and make jokes on Sikhs. Guru De Sikh Waheguru da bhana man Ke shabad padhde Ja rahe san All the way through such heinous and cruel procession the Sikhs were tortured, stones were pelted on them by the people who gathered to watch the jaloos. But Dhan Guru De Sikh they kept on reciting Gurbani. Thousands of people gathered till Lahori Gate and the procession was marched towards Red Fort where this procession was ended. On 5th March 1716 at Chandni Chowk the killing of Sikhs began. Maran Saban Kai Muund Par Safal Maran Hai Tahay Tanak Vikhay Tan Ko Tajey Priyo So Preet Nibhaye Itayadik Guruyan Ke Vaak Gavat Rahe Bhaye Bebaak Katal Hon Te Jara Na Darey Tan Taj Turat Bivanan Charein At last Banda Singh was offered the usual choice of death or Islam but he chose death bravely. He was ordered to kill his own four year old son Ajai Singh The innocent child was brutally killed and his heart was taken out and thrust into the mouth of his father Banda Singh. Banda’s eyes were removed with a knife his left foot was cut off his flesh was torn from his body with red hot pincers and then his body was hacked to pieces limb by limb. Baba Banda Singh Bhadur was matryed on 9th June 1716. This day seemed to be the last day of this cruel procession where Sikhi Kesan Sawasan Naal Nibhai. The martyrdom of Banda Singh and his companions really is heart rendering. If we look back at the pages of history we will find that how Sikhs were brutally killed and they attained martyrdom but didn’t let their Sikh faith stumble. It is for us to remember them and then look at ourselves as how much we have payed them back and what path we are walking into now in the name of modernization??? How many among us are true Gursikh? How many easily forget the blood that was spilled for this faith?? Thanks to our elders and great Sikh historians and Sants who have written this for us to remember our Sikh history.

There is also one very interesting episode related to Baba Karam Singh Ji. Always inspires me too! Once one senior army official was coming at Hoti Mardan Cantt for inspection. For his welcome the paltan was to put up a parade.When the day of his arrival came on that day Baba Karam Singh ji like his daily routine early morning got up for his nitnem and went towards the river bank as usual. That day Babaji was in such a Anand awastha in Path that he meditated till late morning and he missed his duty to parade. In those days every soldier had to be present in his duty timely and any absentee was punished severely. There at the cantt the paltan performed the parade timely in front of that official welcoming him wearing new dresses supplied to them on this occasion. Babaji missed that parade and was absent. But who then did the parade in place of him?? Waheguru to whom HE does Kripa always Bhagata de laaj rakhda ayaa hai. Waheguru taan Bhagta De Vas Vich hai. Seeing His Bhagat (Babaji) meditating HIS NAME in such Anand vibhor that Guru Gobind Singh Ji disguised himself as Babaji did parade and attendence among those present was marked for Babaji. This Babaji (Disguised Guru Gobind Singh Ji) was looking most bright and active soldier in that parade. His dress was shining more than others. That official who had come for inspection kept on looking on this soldier only. He was so impressed and happy with the performance of this soldier at the parade that he ordered promotion of this soldier at once. Parade was over. Baba Karam Singh ji was still in his samadhi. When he opened his eyes he saw that it was very late and so he rushed towards the cantt. He was thinking that today he will be court marshalled and will be severly punished. On his way his other army colleagues met him and began to congratulate him for his new promotion. Baba ji was taken aback and was surprised that he was absent in the parade and then who did the parade. He thought that they were teasing him and laughing as he might have been ordered punishment. But on reaching Cantt his officers also handed him over the promotion letter and congratulated him. Now Babaji understood. Tears flowed from his eyes for his Guru. He made up his mind that he will now do the service of only his WAHEGURU and not of anyone else. Next day he gave his resignation from the army. But the officials rejected his resignation and on hearing that he was absent and Guru Gobind Singh Ji himself did parade for his baghat they bowed to him and told him not to leave the paltan and meditate there only doing service to God and people. There are many such episodes of Babaji. "Jeh Jeh Kaaj Kerat Sewak Ki Thah Thah Uth Dhavey Sewak Ko Nikti Hoi Dhikhavey (Raag Assa)

Very nice post! Bhai Vir Singh Ji's poetry too is very inspiring.