‘ Gurdwaras ’
Gurdwara Sri Dashmesh Asthan, Nahan
(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)
(See more pictures of Gurdwara Sri Dashmesh Asthan, Nahan)
On invitation by King Medini Prakash of Sirmaur state, Sri Guru Gobind Rai Sahib Ji, the 10th Guru, reached Nahan, the then capital city of Sirmaur state on 17 Vaisakh in Samvat 1742 Bikrami (1685). Guru Ji reached there with all of his family members and lots of Sikhs.
At an altitude of 9,32m, Nahan is a well-laid out picturesque city, situated on an isolated ridge in the Shiwalik hills. Presently it is the district head quarters.
A view of Nahan city from about 10 kilometers
The place, where Guru Ji lived during his stay in Nahan city is not far from fort of Nahan, the residence of King Medini Prakash. A Gurdwara Sahib, Gurdwara Sri Dashmesh Asthan Patshahi 10, has been built on that place. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is installed exactly on the place, where King of Kings, Sri Guru Gobind Rai Sahib used to sit on his throne.
The ladies of Guru Ji’s family stayed inside fortress of King Medini Prakash.
King Medini Prakash built a ‘Borha’ (small well) to fulfill water requirement of Guru Ji’s camp. This historic ‘Borha’ still exists.
Gurdwara Sri Dashmesh Asthan, Patshahi 10, Nahan
According to local tradition, Guru Ji stayed in Nahan for more than 8 months. King Medini Prakash requested Guru Ji to found a new city in his Sirmaur Kingdom. Guru Ji accepted his request and founded a city, which is now known as Paunta Sahib (in present Himachal Pradesh).
A fortress was built in Paunta Sahib and then Guru Ji shifted to Paunta Sahib. King Medini Prakash used to visit Paunta Sahib to meet Guru Ji.
Sri Nagar (Garhwal) was a neighboring state of Sirmaur state. The king of Garhwal was Fateh Shah. Fateh Shah had occupied a few villages of Sirmaur state. Guru Ji mediated and the dispute between King Medini Prakash and King Fateh Shah was solved.
King Medini Prakash and King Fateh Shah would go to hunting with Guru Ji. One day, Guru Ji killed a big lion with a single blow of his sword. King Medini Prakash saw this with his own eyes. He was very much impressed with Guru Ji’s skill of hunting. (Gurdwara Shergah Sahib is built where Guru Ji killed the lion. It is about 4 kilometers away from Paunta Sahib).
King Medini Prakash requested Guru Ji to give the sword, which was used to kill lion, to him as a memento. Guru Ji happily gave his sword to King. This holy sword of Guru Gobind Rai Sahib Ji is now preserved in city of Jaipur (Rajasthan) by Ms Padmini, present scion of Sirmaur state.
Gurdwara Sri Dashmesh Asthan Patshahi 10 is the only Gurdwara in Nahan city. Sikh population is very small in the city, but they regularly visit Gurdwara Sahib and do every kind of ‘Seva’ (service) to the Gurdwara Sahib. A few small and local Sikh organizations exist in Nahan. All major Gurpurbs are celebrated at Gurdwara Sri Dashmesh Asthan Patshahi 10, Nahan with love and devotion.
I have visited Nahan city for so many times. The last time I visited Nahan was in first week of December, 2008 during one of my Research Tours. A new ‘Diwan’ hall was being constructed at that time. Gurpreet Singh Sandy, a member of Team Amrit World, joined me during my research tour.
How to reach: Nahan is a famous city in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is connected to Paunta Sahib and Kala Amb by roads. Bus service is easily available. Nahan is only 16 Kilometers far from Kala Amb. The distance between Paonta Sahib and Nahan is 42 Kilometers.
From Dehradun: Dehradun => Paonta Sahib => Nahan
From Chandigarh: Chandigarh => Narayangarh => Kala Amb => Nahan.
(See more pictures of Gurdwara Sri Dashmesh Asthan, Nahan)
Where The Lion Roared
(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)
(See Pictures Where The Lion Roared).
He was born in Kashmir and spent his early days there living joyfully. Then, a day came when he denounced world and became an ascetic. Soon after, he moved to Punjab. He spent his time in various places in India, like Haridwar, Haripur and Burhanpur etc.
During different times, he became disciple of Janaki Das and Mahatma Ramdas. It was like a turning point in his life when well-known Yogi Augharhnath accepted him his disciple. As a chosen disciple of Yogi Augharhnath, he became an expert of Tantra Vidya. He was considered a person having many magical powers.
As if his search was not over, he advanced towards the South. At Burhanpur, he became disciple of famous ‘Siddh’, named ‘Looneeya’.
He then reached the old city of Nanded in present Maharashtra state of India and founded his monastery here on bank of river Godavari. Until now, he had established himself as a great Tantric Yogi. He was now famous as Madho Das Bairagi. Madho Das Bairagi.
As if some emptiness deep inside him was disturbing him, he was still searching for a Guru, a true Guru.
As fortune was with him this time, he did not necessitate going anywhere to discover the true Guru. The true Guru himself was to come to him.
On the day of Sun eclipse, when Swami Madho Das Bairagi returned to his monastery, he saw a person looking like a King sitting on his (Madho’s) bed. It did not take too much time for him to realize that the person was not a King, but the King of Kings.
The King of Kings, the treasurer of the God Almighty, the true Guru was there to bless Madho Das Bairagi. After their historic conversation, the true Guru decided to accept Madho Das his disciple. Madho Das Bairagi’s search for true Guru was now completed very fruitfully.
The next day, the true Guru initiated Madho Das by ‘Khande Kee Pahul’. Madho Das was now ‘Banda’ (slave) of the true Guru. If truth be told, Madho Das had now died. He was reborn as ‘Banda Singh’. The true Guru gave him the title of ‘Bahadur’ (brave). He was going to be remembered as ‘Baba Banda Singh Bahadur’.
Hard to believe his deeds are well-documented on pages of history. It is not practicable to illustrate him in an article or even in a whole book, nor do I intend to. Instead, I merely want to share information on a place, where once he, the lion roared…
He, Baba Banda Singh the brave, captured fort of Mukhlisgarh, situated in the lower Shiwalik Hills. The fort stood atop a hill top. Baba Banda Singh, the brave got Mukhlisgarh fort repaired and renamed it as Lohgarh, the Fort of Iron. The history considers this Lohgarh the Capital of first Khalsa State. The entire treasury acquired in his expeditions was deposited here in Lohgarh Sahib. The coins in the name of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh were minted and issued from here.
As a ruler, the lion roared here. Roar of the lion was a warning to tyrants. Roar of the lion was a message that a ‘Singh’ of ‘Nirbhau’ (fearless) Guru is always ‘Nirbhau’. He was free from fear of death. After tasting the ‘Amrit’ (nectar), he had become an immortal.
Till today, history sings the glorious deeds of Baba Banda Singh the brave. He punished Usman Khan. He punished Wazir Khan. He established the Khalsa Raj.
He was brave in battles. He was brave when executed in Delhi. Famous Indian poet Rabindra Nath Tagore describes martyrdom of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur in his poem ‘Banda Bir’. The following translation of a few lines of this poem is worth reading:
“In the arms of Banda the Brave, the Qazi flung his little babe, tender and innocent was the babe. He ordered Banda to kill his own child. Silently Banda looked at the child. Passionately he embraced the Child. Lovingly he blessed the child, tenderly he kissed the babe, looking fixedly at his face, then in his ear he softly whispered,
‘Say, ‘Glory unto the Guru my little one,
Fear not death my son,
Inspired by these words,
The child’s face was aglow with fearlessness,
With tender but shrill speech,
He shouted loudly;
Guru Ki Jai,
Kichchu nahi bhai,
Hail to thee, Guru hail to thee,
From fear of death I am free,
With his eyes beaming with mighty courage,
He looked at his father’s face,
On his left side struck deep the knife,
“Glory unto the Guru” shouted the child,
As he breathed his last breath,
On the earth he fell dead’
How is Lohgarh now? Does it still exist? Is there any monument built in memory of Baba Banda Singh the brave? Do Sikhs who raise slogans of ‘Raj Karega Khalsa’ (Khalsa shall rule) often visit this place to pay respect for those who established the Khalsa Rule in reality?
To kiss the land where the lion roared, I started my journey with Gurpreet Singh ‘Malhi’, Yadwinder Singh and Sarjit Singh (all Team Amrit World members) in Gurpreet Singh’s car. We crossed the historic city of Kapalmochan and advanced towards lower Shiwalik hills. I was thinking why Baba Banda Singh the brave chose this place for his capital. It is a backward area.
As we left the main road, I was expecting a broken small road going through villages. I was mistaken here. Actually, there was no road. We found ourselves in a river bed. Water rarely flows through this seasonal river, that too during rainy days.
It was a different experience. We were traveling through a river. No road, no population, no sign of any development. What was Baba Banda Singh the brave was doing here? I was now more anxious.
After a few moments, I asked Gurpreet Singh to stop the car. We came out. It was absolutely calm place. No population at all.
I realised that it was perfectly a suitable place for Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. He must have known that the number of his actual soldiers was very small. He must have thought to establish his capital away from the then royal highway. Lohgarh was not only away from highway, but it was difficult to attack it as well. As we know the character of Baba Banda Singh the brave, he did not want to create troubles for civilians. If an army attacks Lohgarh Sahib, there would be almost no trouble for civilians because this area was not densely populated.
We were roughly one kilometer away from Lohgarh Sahib.
We again started our journey to Lohgarh Sahib in the car. I raised the slogan of ‘Bole So Nihal’ the instant we reached Gurdwara Quila Lohgarh Sahib of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji. Gurpreet Singh Malhi, Yadwinder Singh and Sarjit Singh replied in ‘Sat Sri Akal’.
Gurdwara Sahib is under management of Nihangs of Budhha Dal. Two Nihangs were there in Gurdwara Sahib. They were so happy to see us.
As I came out of our vehicle, I just kept watching these Nihangs. They are here. They are here to look after a Gurdwara Sahib which is built in memory of our great warrior Baba Banda Singh the brave. We are thankless. We earlier never thought to pay a visit to the very place where the coin was issued in the name of my Guru. We are thankless. We are thankless that we have forgotten him who took revenge of martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib, Mother Gujri Ji, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji. We daily shout ‘Raj Karega Khalsa’, but never remembered him who actually established the Khalsa Raj. These Nihangs are great. They have kept the memory of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur alive. We are thankless.
What have we brought to present to these Nihangs? Nothing. I was feeling at fault.
Nihangs were so happy. They were so happy to see ‘Sangat’ visiting Gurdwara Sahib. Loudly, we shared Fateh, “Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa. Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.”
We entered Gurdwara Sahib. After performing prayer, I read out the ‘Hukamnama’ of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Then, we sat silently in front of our Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj.
I was not the only one who was feeling guilty. Gurpreet Singh Malhi was having the same feeling. I saw him. He was sitting silently.
I asked him, “What have we brought for these Nihangs?” In point of fact, I was saying that we are thankless.
He remained silent for a few moments. Then he said, “We will come back very soon”.
We decided to come back as early as possible. I suggested to present new dresses for these Nihangs. Gurpreet Singh was agreed to my idea.
One of these Nihangs took the job to show us important points of Fort Lohgarh Sahib. First we visited the historic ‘Kool’. This ‘kool’ was one of sources of water for Lohgarh.
Then, we started climbing hills. The historic fort of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was stood atop a hill top. While climbing the hill, it seemed there would be no sign of old fort of Lohgarh Sahib. However, when we reached the hill top, the ruins of historic fort of Lohgarh of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur were clearly visible. As soon as I saw two Nishan Sahiban (One is saffron and other blue) on this hill top, I raised slogan in delight, “Bole So Nihaaaaaaal”. Everyone replied, “Sat Sri Akaaaaaal”. Yes, we had reached the historic fort of Lohgarh Sahib of Baba Banda Singh the brave.
Presently, one can find four watch towers of old fort. These watch towers are situated on different hill tops. ‘Nishan Sahiban’ (Khalsa flags) are there on every watch tower. We were on first tower which was situated on a lower hill.
Well, he, the lion once lived here in this fort. He must have visited these watch towers for many times.
Slowly, we advanced towards a historic trench on this watch tower. As soon as we saw the trench, we automatically started raising slogans, “Raaj Karega Khalsa” (Khalsa Shall Rule). Stones are still there. No one moved them until now.
From here, one can keep watch on every person coming towards Lohgarh Sahib from plains. This was an ideal place for watch keepers and soldiers.
I sat in this trench and felt delighted. Many Khalsa warriors sat here during the rule of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji. Mogul King Bahadur Shah sent his army to besiege the fort of Lohgarh Sahib. Khalsa army men fought here for one month under Baba Banda Singh the brave. At last they disappeared towards upper hills of Nahan. Mogul army could not find them.
Sun saluted Lohgarh and moved towards other side of the globe. We came back to Gurdwara Sahib. After taking some rest, we came back to our homes.
After a few days, we again went to Lohgarh Sahib. This time, Gupreet Singh Malhi, Gurpeet Singh Raju, Harpreet Singh, Jatinder Singh JD, Rachhpal Singh and Bhupinder Singh Monu joined me.
First, we visited Gurdwara Quila Lohgarh Sahib. Head Granthi Singh of the Gurdwara Sahib performed prayer for us. Then, I read out the holy ‘Hukamnama’ of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj. We then presented dresses to Nihangs who are serving this Gurdwara Sahib.
During this visit, we climbed another hill-top where another watch tower of old fort of Lohgarh Sahib was situated. This hill-top is higher than the first one.
Two Nishan Sahiban (Sikh flags) on top of this hill remind us Baba Banda Singh Bahadur and other Sikh warriors, who used to stay here in this fort.
When Sun had a last look on Lohgarh Sahib on that day, we left for our homes. However, every one of us wants to come again to Lohgarh Sahib of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji.
(The historic fort of Lohgarh Sahib of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji is approximately 14-15 Kilometers from historic city of Kapalmochan in Distt. of Yamunanagar, Haryana. Route from Yamunanagar: Yamunanagar ==> Bilaspur ==> Kapalmochan ==> Lohgarh Sahib. If someone is coming from Chandigarh, he must follow this route: Chandigarh ==> Raipur Rani ==> Sadhaura ==> Bilaspur ==> Kapalmochan ==> Lohgarh Sahib. Fort of Lohgarh falls in two states, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Gurdwara Quila Lohgarh Sahib is situated in Haryana state, however a big part of old fort is in Himachal Pradesh. There are no shops around Lohgarh Sahib. It is good to carry water with you, as there is shortage of water there, especially during hot months. Also, water available there is salty. People often take water from Lohgarh Sahib as ‘Prashad’).
(See Pictures of Quila Lohgarh Sahib Where The Lion Roared).
Gurdwara Patshahi 10, Quila of Raipur Rani
(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)
When the 10th Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Rai Sahib Ji (Guru Gobind Singh Ji) was returning to the city of Sri Anandpur Sahib after winning the battle of Bhangani (near Paunta Sahib), he reached Raipur.
Raja Fateh Singh was the ruler of Raipur. Frightened Raja closed down doors of his fort. When Guru Ji came to know this, he advanced towards village ‘Manak Tabra’ and stayed there.
Later, when the Rani (Queen) of Raipur (wife of Raja Fateh Singh) came to know that his husband did not allow Guru Ji to stay there in Raipur, she went towards Manak Tabra. The Rani (Queen) met with Guru Ji and put her head on his holy feet. She requested him to visit Raipur. She said she wanted her son to be blessed by the Guru.
When Guru Ji saw her devotion, he along with his Sikhs visited Raipur. Guru Ji and Sikhs stayed in Queen’s garden. (Now that garden does not exist). Rani (Queen) made every arrangement to serve the Guru, women in Guru’s family and Sikhs.
Next day, she requested Guru Gobind Rai Sahib Ji to visit the fort. Guru Ji along with Bhai Dya Ram Purohit Ji, Bhai Mahari Chand Ji, Bhai Ganga Ram Ji, Bhai Gulab Chand Ji, Bhai Nand Chand Ji and a few other Sikhs reached the fort. Rani (Queen) received Guru Ji on the main door of. She touched his son’s head to Guru Ji’s feet.
Guru Ji entered the fort. Rani (Queen) placed a sandal ‘Chowki’ under a tree and Guru Ji sat on this sandal chowki. She served the Guru with tasty food etc.
According to ‘Twareekh Guru Khalsa’ written by Giani Gian Singh, the Rani (Queen) wished that if Guru Ji was really the son of Akal Purakh, he would emerge as Lord Vishnu. Guru Ji appeared as Lord Vishnu and thus Queen’s wish was fulfilled by the inner-knower Guru.
Rani (Queen) gave a horse and lots of cash as her offering to Guru Ji. She gave clothes and dresses to women of Guru’s house. The kindhearted Guru Ji gave a sword and a shield to her son and a ‘Pothi’ (book) of Gurbani to Rani (Queen). Guru Ji asked them to pay respect to the ‘Pothi’ and Guru’s weapons.
By Guru Ji’s words, Raipur became famous as ‘Rani Ka Raipur’ or ‘Raipur Rani’ (Raipur of Queen).
Rani (Queen) constructed a platform where Guru Ji sat on a sandal chowki under a tree. The historic tree and the platform still exist. A small room is constructed on this holy platform.
I visited the historic fort of Raipur Rani for many times. (On different occasions, my students and team members Gurpreet Singh Sandy, Gurpreet Singh Raju, Yadwinder Singh, Jatinder Singh JD, Sarjit Singh, Harpreet Singh and Bhupinder Singh etc joined me). I feel delighted and blessed when I touch my sinful head to the holy platform, the very place, where my beloved Guru once sat and fulfilled wishes of the lucky Rani (Queen) (though we do not know her name). A small room of this fort is now a Gurdwara. The main room is still unchanged, though a small verandah is constructed recently.
The original fort of Raipur Rani still exists. No modifications have been made. The historic tree is still standing there, reciting the name of my Guru. I touch this tree and feel blessed, because my Guru once sat under it. The platform (where Queen placed the sandal chowki and where my Guru sat and accepted food offered by the lucky Queen) is able to make us cry in ‘Vismaad’.
The decedents of Rani (Queen) and Raja Fateh Singh live in Chandigarh. They still own the fort, thus the holy place where Guru Ji sat is their personal property. There is no restrictions and everyone can visit and pay respect to Guru Ji.
AmritWorld.com and its members are sentimentally very much attached with this Guru’s place. We very humbly make appeal to everyone to visit this place at least once. The major part of fort, Gurdwara Sahib, platform and the historic tree are still unchanged and exist as they were during my Guru’s visit. Who knows what will happen if this place is given to any ‘Kar Seva’ people???
Raipur Rani is situated on Chandigarh-Nahan Road (Ramgarh-Narayangarh Road) in Haryana state in India.
For more pictures of this Gurdwara Sahib, please visit Gurdwara Patshahi 10, Quila Raipur Rani. To view pictures of the fort, please visit: – Fort of Raipur Rani. Also view pictures of Nishan Sahib Seva in same Gurdwara Sahib.
Gurdwara Sri Toka Sahib
(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)
Gurdwara Toka Sahib Ji
They then went back to their village.
The Historic Mango Tree
A beautiful Gurdwara is built there in the holy memory of Guru Gobind Rai Sahib Ji. The Gurdwara Sahib is known as ‘Gurdwara Toka Sahib’. Another Gurdwara is built where Guru Ji used to meditate in a solitary and peaceful place near the main Gurdwara Sahib.
Gurdwara Sri Manak Tabra Sahib
Manak Tabra is a village near old town of Raipur Rani in the state of Haryana, India.
Guru Gobind Rai Ji (old name of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, also Guru Gobind Das) won the battle of Bhangani in 1688. When he, along with many Sikhs was returning to the city of Sri Anandpur Sahib Ji, he reached Manak Tabra via Laharhgarh and Toka Sahib. In those days, village Manak Tabra was a part of a small state of Ramgarh.
When the local ruler learnt that Guru Gobind Rai Ji had come in Manak Tabra, he visited the Guru and presented a horse, a sword and lots of cash. The pleased Guru gave his ‘Pesh-Kabaz’ (a weapon) to the local ruler and said that his descendents would rule until they keep the ‘Pesh-Kabaz’ with a respectful manner.
In Manak Tabra, Guru Gobind Singh stayed for two nights, where people of nearby villages served and got blessed by the holy Guru. From here, Guru Ji left for Raipur of Rani (Queen’s Raipur).
A Gurdwara is built in the holy memory of the holy Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Presently this Gurdwara is known as ‘Gurdwara Manak Tabra Sahib, Patshaahi 10’. Previously it was known as ‘Gurdwara Sri Guruaana Sahib’. A local management committee takes care of Gurdwara’s affairs. Arrangements for ‘Guru Ka Langar’ (community kitchen) are made.
AmritWorld.com visited the Gurdwara Sahib in May, 2008 under Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’. S. Surjit Singh, Gurpreet Singh ‘Sandy’ and Yadwinder Singh accompanied him.
Gurdwaras
- Gurdwara Sri Dashmesh Asthan Patshahi 10, Nahan (Pictures in Gallery Section).
- Gurdwara Quila Lohgarh Sahib of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji Where The Lion Roared (Pictures in Gallery Section).
- Gurdwara Patshahi 10, Quila of Raipur Rani
- Gurdwara Sri Manak Tabra Sahib
- Gurdwara Sri Toka Sahib
