Gurdwara Dhehri Sahib, Khari Dharamsal, Poonch.

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Gurdwara Dhehri Sahib, Poonch

Gurdwara Dhehri Sahib, Poonch



This Historical Gurdwara is situated in the remote area of village Dharamsal in Tehsil Haveli, District of Poonch about 5km from Poonch City and is popularly known as "Khari Dharamsal". This place is located very near the Line Of Control separating Pakistan Occupied Kashmir from the District of Poonch. About 200 years ago Sant Bhai Bahadur Singh ji established the Gurdwara and village at this place.

The opening of the Poonch Rawalakote road has brought Dhehri Sahib into limelight as this is the first place of importance enroute from Rawalakote to Poonch.

Necessity

In those days, people had to travel from Rawalkote, Muzzafrabad, Rawalpindi, etc. to Poonch for various purposes but there was no place for travellers to spend the night so Bhai Bahadur Singh ji constructed a Dharamsal in the village. The establishment of the Dharamsal which was flanked by steep mountain slopes (Khari-in the Pahari language), gave the village its name - Dharamsal Khari.

History

Dhehri Sahib has a long historical background. When Guru Gobind Singh ji deputed Bhai Pheru Singh ji to preach Sikhism in J&K, Bhai Pheru Singh ji asked his desciple, Sant Bhai Rocha Singh, to go to the Poonch area and share the teachings of the Gurus. S. Mota Singh ji who was the younger brother of Bhai Rocha Singh had two sons, Bhai Hakikat Singh ji and Bhai Bahadur Singh. Bhai Rocha Singh Ji sent Bhai Bahadur Singh Ji to the area to establish the village of Khari Dharamsal and Hakikat Singh ji to the place PothPhayia in Tehsil Bagh presently in Pakisan Occupied Kashmir.

Gurdwara Complex

BAWLI SAHIB: A small spring near Dhehri Sahib which was dug by Bhai Bhahadur Singh ji and later maintained by Bhai Charat Singh ji.
DHEHRI SAHIB: Bhai Bahadur Singh Ji breathed his last at Dharamsal Kheri and was cremated in the area called "Kheira da Bela" in the nearby village namely Karmara and the remains were brought to Khari Dharamsal by Bhai Charat Singh ji. Dhehri Sahib was constructed by Bhai Charat Singh ji. It is dome shaped and constructed with stones only. There is only one entrance which is bounded by four big stones on two on the sides and one each on the top and bottom. Presently Dhehri Sahib is spread over an area of 15 Kanals.
GURDWARA BUILDING : A very big building has been constructed by the Sikh Sangat. Big Gurmat Samagams are now routine here in summer season every year.

Legends

Whenever there is a tremendous rain and floods in the area, people collectively come to Dhehri Sahib where they prepare Karah Parshad and pray before Almighty Waheguru.
Once, a royal Rajput hunter, hunting in the forest area surrounding the village sought shelter at the Dhehri Sahib. It had started raining heavily and, as the Betar nullah was flowing above the danger mark, he and his soldiers were invited to take their meals at Dhehri Sahib. The royal hunter was worried about the ability of the Langar to feed the large amount of soldiers he had brought on the hunt. The Langar was prepared in the Dekcha (Big Saucepan) and was served to the soldiers who ate 'till they were full. Yet!, the Langer remained plentiful with food in abundance.
The Dekcha from that day has been known as "Karamati Dekcha".