Guru Hargobind's Gurudwaras

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Gurdwara Bir Baba Buddha, Dist. Amritsar

Baba Buddha used to live here in the jungle outside Amritsar. Being without a child for many years Guru Arjan Dev's wife Ganga Devi became anxious. Guru Arjan Dev told her; "If you wish a child, ask a pious Sikh like Baba Buddha, the aged seer and devout disciple of Guru Nanak for a blessing". Ganga Devi went to seek the blessings of Baba Buddha with a large entourage. She presented Baba Buddha with many delicacies to eat. Baba Buddha refused to provide any blessings. Upon hearing what happened, Guru Arjan Dev told his wife to return this time on foot, with a simple meal prepared by herself. This time Baba Buddha was delighted and partook of the simple food. He prophesied; "A son will be born to you who will crush the enemies of Nanak's house, just as I have crushed this onion with my hand." That prophecy was to soon thereafter come true with the birth of Guru Hargobind in 1595.

Gurdwara Guru Ki Wadali, Dist. Amritsar

This is the birthplace of Guru Hargobind who was born here in 1595. Guru Hargobind was a saint and a soldier and the first military hero of the people of Punjab in 600 years since the conquest of Punjab by the Muslims. Guru Hargobind always carried two swords to symbolize the concepts of Miri and Piri. Piri meaning spiritual authority and Miri meaning temporal authority, Sikhs are expected to maintain a balance between the two, to be soldiers and saints. The 400th anniversary of Guru Hargobind's birth was celebrated in 1995.

Gurdwara Guru Ka Mahl, Dist. Amritsar

Guru Hargobind lived here for some time and was also married in this house. This is also the birthplace of Guru Hargobind's sons Baba Atal Rai and Guru Tegh Bahadur. Guru Arjan Dev was married here and was also installed as Guru here in 1581. This was the home of Guru Ram Das and his family. Guru Ram Das founded the city of Ramdaspur (modern day Amritsar) and started the excavation of the 'pool of nectar' called Amritsar.

Sri Akal Takht, Amritsar

Akal Takht literally means Eternal Throne. It is part of the Golden Temple complex and is situated on the other end of the causeway connected to the Harmandir Sahib. The foundation was laid by Guru Hargobind. It was here that he was ceremonially installed as Guru in 1606. The building of the Akal Takht opposite the Golden Temple has a special meaning. While the Golden Temple stands for spiritual guidance (piri) the Akal Takht symbolizes the dispensing of justice and temporal activity (miri). During the day the Guru Granth Sahib is kept in the Golden Temple, while at night it is kept in the Akal Takht. Traditionally all Sikh warriors sought blessings here before going to battle. During the 18th century while Sikhs were fighting a guerrilla war in the forests they used to gather at the Akal Takht on special occasions such as Baisakhi and Diwali. Here the community used to have general meetings and approve resolutions.

Gurdwara Babeksar, Dist. Amritsar

Bhai Gurdas laid the foundation of the Gurdwara in 1622. Guru Hargobind established a camp here for his cavalry and soldiers soon after. Guru Hargobind said that anyone who bathed in the pool would receive the benefits of rational thinking (Babek).

Gurdwara Daroli Bhai, Dist. Firozpur

This is the birthplace of Baba Gurditta, the eldest son of Guru Hargobind born in 1613. Baba Gurditta was a great saint and the father of Guru Har Rai as well as the elder brother of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The family of the Gurus wife Mata Damodari still live here and are custodians of some rare personal belongings of Guru Hargobind as well as a handwritten copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib bearing the personal seal of Guru Gobind Singh.

Gurdwara Chhevin Padshahi, Dist. Jalandhar

Here Guru Hargobind had religious discourses with the Muslim saint Shaikh Darvesh. A handwritten copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib prepared sometime between 1715 and 1728 by the great Sikh scholar and martyr Baba Deep Singh is kept here.

Gurdwara Bath Sahib, Dist. Gurdaspur

The ascetic son of Guru Nanak and the founder of the Udasi order Baba Sri Chand lived here deep in the forest for the last part of his life. Guru Hargobind visited Baba Sri Chand and when Baba Sri Chand complimented the Guru on his chivalry and piety, Guru Hargobind replied with great humility, "It is all the result of your blessing". Guru Hargobind also gave his son Baba Gurditta to Baba Sri Chand as the next leader of the Udasi order. Baba Sri Chand was also visited here by Guru Arjan Dev who told Baba Sri Chand about the hostility of the Gurus elder brother. Baba Sri Chand replied: "This will be his undoing and ruin both in this world and the next". Baba Sri Chand died and was cremated here in 1612 at the ripe old age of 118.

Khalsa College, Amritsar

Guru Hargobind fought his first battle at the present day site of Khalsa College in 1634 and was victorious. The Guru was about to celebrate the marriage of his only daughter Bibi Viro when he was attack by the Mughals. A force of 700 Sikhs defeated an army of 7,000 mughal troops. The foundation stone of Khalsa College was laid in 1892 and it has since been one of the eminent Sikh educational institutions.

Gurdwara Damdama Sahib, Sri Hargobindpur, Dist. Gurdaspur

Guru Hargobind fought a fierce battle against Mughal forces in December of 1634. They did not want the Sikhs to settle in the town and build a Gurdwara. The Gurus forces were victorious although they were heavily outnumbered. After the battle Guru Hargobind showed his respect and tolerance of other religions by not only finishing the work on the Gurdwara but also ordered the building of a mosque for Muslims.

Gurdwara Baba Atal, Dist. Amritsar

The beloved son of Guru Hargobind, Baba Atal Rai left the earth and was cremated here. Atal Rai was a much beloved son of Guru Hargobind and was born in 1620. One day as young Atal Rai playmate was bitten by a snake and died. At seeing the boys family crying over his body, Atal Rai bought his friend back to life. When Guru Hargobind heard of the miracle he admonished his son saying that "How can anyone interfere with the ways of God?". Baba Atal Rai was so distressed at hearing his fathers reprimand that he withdrew to the side of Kaulsar pool and saying his prayers, lay down and gave up his life for the life that he had saved. The nine stories of the Gurdwara represent the nine years of Baba Atal's short life. Two great heroes from Sikh history Nawab Kapur Singh and Jassa Singh Ahluwalia were also cremated here.

Gurdwara Patal Puri, Kiratpur, Dist. Ropar

Guru Hargobind in 1644 as well as Guru Har Rai in 1661 were cremated here. The ashes of Guru Harkrishan were brought from Delhi and immersed here in the river Sutlej in 1664. In 1675 Guru Gobind Singh at the age of nine received the tragic news that his father Guru Tegh Bahadur had been executed in Delhi. Guru Gobind Singh traveled from here to Anandpur Sahib for the cremation of his fathers head which had been spirited away from Delhi by a devoted Sikh, Bhai Jaita.