Vadbhag Singh Sodhi

A brief History

Baba Vadbhag Singh was born to Baba Ram Sodhi and Mata Raj Kaur when the atrocities inflicted by the invading Mughals were at their peak. Vadbhag Singh, even at the tender age of five, would listen intently as his mother read Gurbani and other holy scriptures. Realising that his son was a child prodigy, Baba Ram Singh appointed some of the most learned scholars to coach his son in all branches of knowledge, including the martial arts.

Baba’a parents got him married to Radhaji. After her untimely death, he was persuaded to marry Sanghliji. Although Baba Vadbhag Singh was inclined towards spiritualism, he wielded the sword with great skill; as wave after wave of Mughal invasions had created havoc in the region. When Nassar Ali attacked Kartarpur, Baba Vadbhag Singh fought valiantly but had to take shelter in the hills because he had only a handful of soldiers as compared to over 10,000 soldiers of Nassar Ali.

Not content with shedding blood, Nassar Ali burnt Gurdwara Thamm Sahib to ashes, razed many temples to the ground, raped and converted Hindu women to Islam, and slaughtered cows. To defend the honour of his country and religion, Baba Vadbhag Singh organised a band of soldiers and, with the help of Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Kapoor Singh, Adina Baig and others, attacked the mighty army of Nassar Ali. In the ensuing battle, Nassar Ali was captured and later burnt alive.

After the war, Baba wanted to retire to the hills in order to pursue his spiritual goals. While he bathed in the cool waters of one of the valleys, he saw the images of the 10 Gurus. Thus he decided to name it the Darshani Khud and the waters of this khud came to be called Dhauli Dhar or Charanganga.

Later he pitched the Nishan Sahib under a berry tree and began to meditate. But life was not easy as the valley was full of evil spirits however with there is spiritual light, darkness cannot come near. The spirits were powerless against Baba Vadbhag Singh.

Dera Sahib

The Baba constructed a gurdwara on a hill nearby (Dehra Sahib), opposite it; Manji Sahib, the place where the Baba used to meditate and relax. The Baba soon began to attract a large following and the place came to be known as Mairhi Sahib. Mairhi is now in Una district of Himachal Pradesh. People still go to Dera Sahib and are mainly gathered on times of Holi and Baisakhi when it is believed to be the most powerful time of the year and most effective time of the year for people to get evil spirits at Dauli Dhar and have their problems solved with the blessings of Baba Vadbhag Singh ji.

It is also believed that Holi and Baisakhi is a time of the year when Baba Vadbhag Singh Ji was most happy and people who have made a visit to Dera Sahib in that time will also wait for the day "Parsaad" is served at Dera Sahib. This is only served after a main festival called the "Mela" What happens at the Mela is the Parsaad is made and then covered. Then after the Ardaas it is believed that Baba Vadbhag Singh Ji comes and puts his blessings on the Parsaad - the Parsaad has a large hand printed in it, which is then callled "Panja Sahib Da Parsaad.