Thara Sahib (Bageshwar)
The Gurudwara Thada sahib is located at the bank of gomati river in Bageshwar, Uttrakhand. This Gurudwara has historical importance which is linked to the visit of Guru Nanak Dev Ji(the founder of the religion of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus).
My Mother and I visited the gurudwara this summer via haldwani. We were warmly welcomed by a sewadar who offered us langar and provided rooms at gurudwara sahib for our stay. Some portion of the Gurudwara is under construction and is supported by Kar-Sewa of Harbans Singh Ji. Since there is not much sikh population in nearby area thus this historical gurudwara is not much known by the people outside of bageshwar. We request you to visit this gurdwara sahib and support its development through any possible means.
As far history goes, this place bageshwar was ruled by a Hindu chandra-vanshi king. The king was unhappy as he didn't have any son. He was worried that who will carry forward his legacy. The king was advised by brahmins and pundits to pay offering ofhead of people(called 'Bali') to god to recieve their blessings. This practice had made the life of his people really miserable. Every day king send army men to city to get one person for 'Bali'.
One day Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited this place along with his companions 'Bala' and 'Mardana'. Guru ji asked mardana to play 'rabab'( a musical instrument used by saints) and said "Bani aayi hai"( Means divine words have come). Guru ji started singing gurubani. The divine words of gurubani was like a soul aid to the people of bageshwar who were under the cruelness and madness of king. While guru ji was singing the gurubani, The army men of the king came to capture a person for 'bali', people got horrified and started hiding. Army men took Guru Ji along with bala and mardana to the king.
As per saying goes when a "Guru" has to enlighten someone , he can do through his first sight itself. The moment Guru Ji looked at King , King's sense the magic and calmness of guru Ji's aura. Guru ji told him, all creatures in this universe is created by one God and are son of God. Why he is killing living people to offer to dead statues. This will not make the god happy, infact what he is doing is a sin . The King fell down on guru Ji's feet and asked for forgivness for his act. He asked guru ji for his blessings to have a son. Guru ji told him to lit a candle every evening and pray to god for 45 days. Guru Ji's words worked like a boon to King and he was blessed by a son soon.
The King donated 20,000 acre land to Guru Ji. The historical gurudwara Thada sahib is situated at this place.
