Sant Baba Nidhan Singh
Sant Baba Nidhan Singh Ji was born in 1882 in Nadola village of Hoshiyarpur district of Punjab. He was involved with entreaty of God, right from his childhood. His mentor and teacher Sant Baba Diwan Singh Ji taught him the way of seva and simran right from his childhood. At the age of 18 he left his family and joined military in Jhasi. But he never liked the job as he always liked to contemplate himself for God.
So he left the job and started journey towards Nanded. He did seva at Takht Shri Sachkhand Sahib for twelve years with full devotion. Looking at his dedication towards he became a prominent figure at Sachkhand. So some jealous people started teasing him and tortured him lot. So one day Baba Ji decided to go back to Punjab and do seva there. He went to the Nanded railway Station and was waiting for the train and offering prayer. Suddenly he saw light coming out of sky and Baba Nidhan Singh Ji actually had ‘Darshan’ of Guru Gobind Singh Ji along with his Eagle and Horse. Dashmesh pita asked him “ Where are you going? “ Baba Ji said “ Here jealous people are not letting me to do seva whole heartedly so I am thinking of going back to Punjab and will do seva there”. Kalgidhar Patshah then directed Baba Ji not to leave Nanded and to start the age old tradition of ‘Langar’ at this Gurudwara Langar Sahib by uttering these words “HATH TERA KHISA MERA” which means you should do the work of preparation and distribution that is serving langar among the devotees whereas I will take care of expenses. Baba Nidhan Singh Ji then came back in this place and started langar.
In the initial days he was scarce with resources but he never let the order of the Master going down. But his hardwork and commitment keep the Langer continue on permanent footings. Slowly all the Khalsa started realizing importance of this langar and enjoined the seva of Baba Nidhan Singh Ji. This is the main reason why lakhs and lakhs of devotees visit everyday and eat the Langar as Prasad of Gurudwara, still there is no shortage in Gruduwara Langar Sahib. This is the magic of the words said by Kalgidhar Sachche Patshah (Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji). This Gurudwara is situated on the bank of holy river Godavari and is just a kilometer away from Nanded Station.
In his last address, Guru Gobind Singh Ji emphasized the importance of Langar and enjoined upon the Khalsa to continue it especially on this holy shrine, at all costs. At this, Bhai Santokh Singh, the first priest appointed at this holy shrine by Master himself with his folded hands, sought form Guru Ji, some clarifications for the time to came as to how to run the Langar and for its finances etc, when no Khalsa was living in this corner of the country. Guru assured him not to be concerned for any thing like this and to do his duty. Making some prophecies Guru Ji told him that there will be no dearth of the Khalsa in this part of the country and if the need be, he would send some Saint especially to. With the passage of the time the institution of Langar was somewhat neglected by the then management and the Sikhs began to prefer the other works like construction of buildings and bungas.
Guru ka Langar was restarted at this holy place by Sant Baba Nidhan Singh Ji in the year 1912, under the holy enjoinder of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Before coming to this place, Sant Baba Ji had served for long twelve years, completely absorbed in deep meditation day and night, in Gurudwara Sachkhand Sahib when he was blessed with his Eternal light. The pious simple life full of Seva and Simran of Baba Ji was itself an inspiring farce to the Sikhs. Baba Ji resigned from his worldly life on 4th August 1947 and we see that Guru ka Langar is running in its splendid manners since then for its worthy cause. Here priority of Seva goes to Langar which is available 24 hours, day and night, round the clock, without any discrimination. Hot tea is also served in the Langar whole day and one feels quite at home while reaching here after long journey.
