Gurudwara Mal Tekri

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Gurdwara Mal Tekri stands at the place of Guru Nanak’s visit which is at 3 miles away in north east of the city of Nanded (appears to be the garbled name of Nandigaon or the old fort Nanagiri). It was then in small hutments like Sidhnathpuri, Brahmpuri, Wazirabad, etc. A Muslim saint, Sayyad Shah Hussain used to stay at the place then. He was also known as Lakad Shah faquir . The grave of the saint, Sayyad Shah Hussain Lakad can be seen behind the Gurdwara. On the head side of the grave the date of the death of the saint is given as 1010 Hijri i.e., 1610 A.D. This shows that the saint survived till the breathing last of the Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. A legend told by the priest of Gurdwara Mal Tekri is as follows : ‘A Muslim saint was in deep meditation in a thatched hut and occasionally prayed. "O Wali Peer Nanak! I have heard that you are a true representative of the Lord and redeem the strayed. I cannot reach you as I am unable to walk even; I have no sight in my eyes. People say that you can reach the hearts of others. If so, please do understand my feelings and come and redeem me without further delay". Guru Nanak reached him during his prayers. Guru Nanak asked him to open his eyes and see for himself as to who was present in front of him. The saint fell at the feet of the Guru and prayed, "O Great One, I am emancipated by your effulgent presence, hearing my prayers, this hut is blessed by your presence." Guru Nanak embraced him with affection and blessed him. "O saint! You have become like a log praying. Now your prayers are answered. Time will come when the people will come to the place where you have been meditating. This place will soon be known world over. You are quite old and unable to look after yourself. You must not do anything else except cleaning this place daily. You will get two ashrafees daily which shall meet your daily requirements." "Whatever you say is an order for me, O Nanak", said the saint and observed the daily cleaning ritual till he died after surviving for a long period. He was buried close-by and a Gurdwara came up at the place later." The caretaker of the grave told me that Guru Nanak told Lakad Shah Faqeer, "that a large amount of money is kept buried at the place which shall be later required by his successor. You must look after the place till the arrival of a successor who will take out the money from the place for the need of his followers. You will get two asharfees daily to protect the money." Lakad Shah Faqeer lived till the arrival of the Guru Gobind Singh and handed over the money buried at the place. Guru Gobind Singh distributed the money among his army who could not be paid earlier. The place was known as Mal Tekri from that day onwards. There is no historical record found to confirm these two legends. However, the booklet prepared by Gurdwara Board Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Abchal Nagar Sahib Nanded, records: Gurdwara Maltekri is located two Kms from Takht Sachkhand Sahib on the bank of Godavari in Brahampuri Mohalla, near Gurudwara Sangat Sahib. Gurdwara’s old names were ‘Chakrimal’ and ‘Mal Tilla’. Before proceeding to Bidar, Guru Nanak stopped at this place. Later, Guru Gobind Singh got money out of this place and distributed to his soldiers. It is said that Guru Nanak had foretold that when the Khalsa numbers 16 crore, money from the place (Maltekri) will be taken out and free kitchen will started for them....At one time the Muslims tried to take over the place by burying their dead at the place and by converting Gurdwara into a mosque. A dispute arose between Muslims and Sikhs about the occupation. The case was taken up to the court of Nizam of Hyderabad and later to the Highcourt at Calcutta. The judgement finally announced on 8 January 1930 was in favour of the Sikhs and, on Government orders, the buried bodies were taken over and the place handed over to the Sikhs and it became an important pilgrimage for the Sikhs." The Gurdwara is frequently visited. Almost all the travellers who come to pay obeisance at Abchal Nagar come and pay obeisance at this place too. The caretaker of the grave also gets sufficient money in addition to the money offered at the Gurdwara by the visiting Sikhs. The Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee of Abchal Nagar controls and maintains this place as well