Sri Muktsar Sahib
| ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮਕਤਸਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ Sri Muktsar Sahib | |
| — District — | |
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| Details | |
| Coordinates : | N, E |
| Country : | India |
| State : | Punjab |
| District : | Sri Muktsar Sahib |
| Population : | 117,085 as at 2001 |
| Population Density : | /km2 |
| Timezone : | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area : | km2 |
| Altitude : | 184 m |
| Telephone code : | 01633 |
| Postal code : | 152026 |
| Vehicle code : | PB30 |
| Website : | |
| Other Information: | |
Sri Muktsar Sahib often referred to as Muktsar, is a historical city and district headquarters in Punjab, India. It is the 14th largest city of Punjab, in terms of population. The second Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Angad Dev ji (Nanak II) was born in the village Matte-di-Sarai (Sarainaga) in the same district. The city was named Muktsar after the Battle of Muktsar in 1705 and the district headquarters in 1995. The government officially changed the name of the city to Sri Muktsar Sahib in 2012, though the city is still primarily referred to by its earlier name – Muktsar.
Geography
The city is located in the southwestern zone of Indian Punjab and is bounded by the state of Rajasthan and Haryana in the south. The city and district of Faridkot lies to its north and Bathinda to the east. It lies between 30° 69 N and 29° 87 N latitude and 74° 21 E and 74° 86 E longitude.
History
Muktsar, literally, means the Pool of Liberation"
Sri Muktsar Sahib has a proud heritage. It is known as the last battlefield of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, in 1705 A.D., which proved to be a most decisive conflict in the military history of the Sikhs.
The forty Sikh warriors fought to death here against the Mughals under the leadership of tenth Guru. After the war, the city was renamed as Muktsar in their memory and recently the goverment has renamed it as Sri Muktsar Sahib due to its religious as well as historical importance.
Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa (1791-1837) visited the place and did kar sewa of a Gurudwara here which was reconstructed in the 80s.
Fairs and Festivals
The Shaheedi Jor Mela (Mela Maghi) (Punjabi: ਮੇਲਾ ਮਾਘੀ), held in the town in the memory of the forty Sikhs who sacrificed their lived in the battlefield of Khidrana, is very famous.[1] The huge Mela, held the next day to Lohri, is held at an open space mainly on the Bathinda & Malout roads. People from all over the world, visit the place on this day to take a dip in the holy Sarovar.
A fair for animals, specially for horses, known as Ghorhian da Mela (Fair of Horses) is the other famous one.
Gurudwaras
The City is blessed with the Holy Shrines, such as Gurudwara Tutti Gandi Sahib, Shaheed Ganj Sahib Gurudwara, Tibbi Sahib Gurudwara and many more like:
- Tutti Gandi Sahib (Sri Darbar Sahib) Gurdwara
- Shaheed Ganj Sahib Gurudwara
- Mata Bhag Kaur Gurudwara
- Tambu Sahib Gurudwara
- Tibbi Sahib Gurudwara
- Rakab Ganj Sahib Gurudwara
- Datansar Sahib Gurudwara
- Taran Tarn Sahib Gurudwara
A few years ago, a new monument called Mukte Minar was built in the shape of Khanda Sahib, in the memory of the forty martyrs
Tutti Gandi Sahib (Sri Darbar Sahib) Gurdwara
Sri Darbar Sahib is the principle shrine at Muktsar. This town commemorates the martyrdom of the Fourty Muktas, or the Liberated Ones. It is associated with the Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. During the siege of Anand Pur Sahib, a group of Sikhs from the Majha contingent had decamped after declaring that they had no claim to being the Guru's Sikhs. However, when they returned to their homes, they were condemned by everyone, including their womenfolk. Under the guidance of a courageous lady, Mai Bhago, they went in search of the Guru who had in the meanwhile left Anandpur Sahib. With Mughal forces in hot pursuit, Guru Gobind Singh Ji moved towards the Malwa region. He reached Khidrana Ki Dhab, which at that time was the only source of water in the area. While Guru Ji was resting here, the pursuing Mughal army came closer. At this time, the group of forty sikhs who were searching for the Guru to seek forgiveness, also reached there.
Quickly taking stock of the situation, this group of Sikhs fought ferociously to the last man but not before forcing the host to retrieve. In the fierce battle, all of them died except two. Guru Ji also took part in the battle, shooting arrows at the enemy from a small hillock, or tibbi. After the Mughals retreated, Guru Sahib went to the battle field. He held each one of his Sikhs in his lap and blessed them. When he reached Bhai Maha Singh, one of the two survivors, he asked him for any boon. Bhai Mahan Singh while dying responded by asking Guruji to forgive them and to tear the letter they had signed at AnandPur Sahib disowning him as their Guru. Guru Sahib immediately granted the request, took out the letter of renunciation and tore it, thus liberating the forty Sikhs. Mahan Singh breathed his last in the Guru's lap. Mai Bhago, who lay seriously ill, recovered and served the Guru for many years. This event is remembered even in the Ardas performed by Sikhs every day. By tearing the letter, Guru Sahib retied the knot between himself and his Sikhs. This is referred to as Tuti Gandi, or the Broken Ties Retied. The birthdays of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Shahidi Purab of Guru Arjun Dev Ji are celebrated with great fervour here. Besides, the Magh Mela is organized on the 12th and 13th of January to commemorate the sacrifice of the Forty Muktas. Diwali and Baisakhi are also celebrated. Accomodation: Shri Kalgidhar Niwas with forty rooms is available here for the devotees to stay during their visit.
Special Events at this Gurdwara
The birthdays of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Gobind Singh Ji and shahidi purab of Guru Arjun Dev Ji are celebrated with great fervour here. The Magh Mela is organized on the 12th and 13th of January to commemorate the sacrifice of the Forty Muktas. Diwali and Baisakhi are also celebrated with enthusiasm.
Location
Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib is located on the outskirts of the city of Muktsar on the Guru harsahai-Muktsar bypass road. It is three kilometers from Gurudwara Tuti Gandi Sahib.
