Gurudwara Baba Bakala

Gurudwara Baba Bakala: The historical shrine at Baba Bakala is associated with an important event in Sikh history. Before his death at Delhi on March 30, 1664 Guru Harkrishan uttered these words 'Baba Bakala', thereby meaning that his successor was to be found at Bakala village in Amritsar. In Bakala there were many men who then claimed to be the Guru's successor. This was the first time a Guru had not selected his successor in person. This created some anxiety in the sikhs.

Makhan Shah Labana Makhan Shah trader from Jhelum district was carrying a ship of his goods and got caught up in a furious storm. His life and goods were in great danger. Helplessly, he knelt down and prayed to God and Guru Nanak for safety. He vowed that if by the grace of Guru he landed at the nearest port safely, he would donate five hundred Dinars to the Guru for charitable purposes. His boat was saved by the grace of Baba Bakala, for whom he was searching. He recognized that he was the true Guru, because he had saved the ship with solely with his small finger of his hand. He felt that his life and goods were saved by the grace of the Guru, and promised the Guru five hundred dinars The first thing he tried to do was fulfill his vow. But on reaching Baba Bakala he found several impostors, each posing as Guru. He decided to offer only two Dinars to every one posing to be Guru Harkrishan's successor. The true Guru would himself demand the exact amount he had vowed to give. According to him it would not be possible for the false and impostors to define the exact purpose of his visit. Thereby, their ignorance, lack of spiritual insight, and character would be exposed. Finding Guru Tegh Bahadur As expected, none of the imposters could recognize him. But he was left with a problem; if none of these men were the Guru then where is the rightful Guru? Then he heard of a solitarian in the area. His name was Tegh Bahadur and he was the son of Guru Hargobind. Well, Makhan Shah went to see this man, and when he placed two dinars before Tegh Bahadur, the great sage at once remarked "God bless you, my man, why only two Dinars after pledging five hundred? The Guru is never in need of any thing but a Sikh is expected to keep his pledge to the Guru." Thus the issue was clinched and the real Guru was discovered by Makhan Shah. In amazement Makhan Shah proclaimed that he would inform everyone upon discovering the True Guru. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was hoping to continue to meditate in solitude and told Makhan Shah not to tell anyone. The Guru tried to discourage him by saying his face would be blackened if he did so (this is a statement meaning you will be dishonored). Makhan Shah took this as a challenge instead of a curse and put ash on his face and climbed to the rooftop to announce to all that he had found the Guru. Since this historic event Bakala has become a place of pilgrimage. A beautiful Gurdwara stands at the spot where Guru Ji used to meditate in an underground cell. This small village where Guru Ji revealed himself subsequently, came to be called Baba-Bakala. The Gurdwara has many beautiful paintings pertaining to the Sikh history. People gather in thousands on every amavas night. Besides an Annual Fair is held on rakshabandhan day when many people throng this holy place from all over the country. It is situated only 3 km away from Butari railway station and is well connected by roads to important towns of Punjab.

Goindwal Sahib Gurudwara

GOINDVAL (31°22'N, 75"9'E), the firstever place of Sikh pilgrimage so designated by its founder, Guru Amar Das. This in fact was the spot where the ancient eastwest highway crossed the River Beas. With the renovation of the highway by Sher Shalh Suri, the Afghan ruler of north India (1540-45), this ferry site became an important transit point. This led one Goinda or Gonda, a Marvaha Khatri trader, to plan establishing an habitation at the western end of the ferry. Thwarted in his endeavour by natural calamities which Goinda attributed to evil spirits, he repaired to Khadur to seek Guru Angad's blessing. The Guru deputed his devoted disciple, (Guru) Amar Das, to help Goinda. Amar Das, who knew that track very well as he had been carrying river water from this place to Khadur daily for his Master's ablutions, laid the foundation of a village which was named after Goinda. After his apointment as Guru in 1552, Guru Amar Das shifted from Khadur to Goindval. In 1559, Guru Amar Das commenced the digging in Goindval of a baoli, i.e. a well with steps descending down to water level which, when completed, attracted pilgrims from far and near. Goindval also became ,in the time of Guru Amar Das, the centre of an annual fair on the occasion of Baisakhi. Even after Guru Amar Das's successor. Guru Ram Das, had built up Amritsar and made it his permanent seat, devotees continued to visit Goindval to have a dip in the sacred baoli and pay homage at other local shrines.

Notable Locations SRI BAOLI SAHIB is a large, open well, 8 metres across. Its water level is reached through a covered passage comprising a flight of 84 steps. A wide pointed archway opens on a domed clearance, four steps below the ground level. Its cupola is painted with multicoloured floral designs and portraits of Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das, Guru Hargobind and Guru Gobind Singh. The area between the arch and the coping is covered with portraits of the Ten Gurus, and those of Baba Mohari, Baba Mohan and Baba Anand. Other paintings depict scenes from the life of Guru Amar Das. Most of the steps are covered with marble slabs donated by different devotees, the earliest of these being dated 1963 Bk/AD 1906. The lotus dome above the entrance has a tall gold-plated pinnacle with pinnacled kiosks and solid decorative domes around it. THARA SAHIB SRI GURU AMAR DAS JI is a marblelined platform, with a pinnacled canopy of white marble supported on cylinderical columns, at the entrance to Sri Baoli Sahib. It marks the site where Guru Amar Das used to sit supervising the digging of the Baoli.Read More....

Kirtan Sohila

 Kirtan Sohila

 Three Gurus – Guru Nanak, Guru Ram Das and Guru Arjan - contributed five shabads on the pain of separation and celebrating the bliss of union. The first three Shabads were uttered by Guru Nanak, the fourth by Guru Ram Das and the fifth by Guru Arjan Dev. This is the night prayer said by all Sikhs before sleeping. The actual name of Bani is Sohila Sahib.

The religious and artistic value of these hymns is superb.

• The first shabad visualises the union of the personal self with the Ultimate Reality.
  
• The second shabad presents the singularity of the Ultimate despite endless diversity of scriptures, teachers and philosophies.
• The third shabad rejects all modes of external piety and ritual, and vividly portrays the entire cosmos making harmonious worship. Instead of trays with lamps placed upon them with incense and other offerings, the skies become an integrated platter, the sun and moon the lamps, stars the beads, and all vegetation an offering of flowers. Loud chanting is replaced by the inner unstruck melody playing motionlessly.
  
• The fourth shabad explains the importance of the divine Name through which all suffering and transmigration is annulled.
  
• The fifth shabad celebrates life here in this world: we must avail ourselves of this wonderful opportunity to serve others and to win divine merit. The unknown Mystery becomes known to the enlightened person who thereafter enjoys the bliss and freedom of immortality. Read More.

Chaupai (Sikhism)

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Benti Chaupee: Composed by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, it is a part of main evening prayers of the Sikhs called Rehras Sahib. The Benti Chaupee can be read at any time during the day to provide protection and energy. Chaupai is the short name for the Sikh prayer or Gurbani whose full name is Kabiobach Bainti Chaupai. The Chaupai is part of the second most important Sikh Holy Book called the Dasam Granth. Below are the beginning 4 Couplets of 25 of this prayer: Kabiyo Baach Bayntee Chaupa - ee: Please guard us with Your Hands. All my heart's desires are fulfilled. My mind is focused on Your Feet. Sustain us as Your Own.(1) Destroy all my enemies. With Your Hands protect me. In Bliss remains my household, servants, sikh, O Creator! (2) Give me your personal protection. Restrain all my adversaries, Today. You’ve Fulfilled my Wishes. My Thirst for Your Worship grows(3). Leaving You, may I never worship another. All my needs, I get from You. You save my Sikhs & Devotees. One-by-One you demolish my foe (4)

Method and Purpose This bani is recited every morning by many devoted Sikhs in the morning. It also forms part of the evening prayer called the Rehras Sahib and is also recited daily by many devoted Sikhs in the evening. The Bani offers one protection and security and many Sikhs recite this Bani to gain spiritual safety and defence from external and internal enemies, worries and afflictions. The Gurmukhi text is very powerful and gives one self confidence and an upbeat feeling. This Bani gives one the feeling of reliability and dependability on the Lord. If one has negative feelings and a lack of confidence in the future, one should recite this Bani to get an instant boost.

Translation and Transliteration in English KABIOVACH BAINTI CHAUPAI PATSHAI 10TH - PRAYER COMPOSED BY SRI GURU GOBIND SINGH JI Chaupai || Chowpai hamri kro hath dai rchcha. pooran hoeh chit ki eichcha. tav charnan mun rehai hmara. apna jan kro pritipara. (1) Please guard us with Your Hands. All my heart's desires are fulfilled. My mind is focused on Your Feet. Sustain us as Your Own.(1) hamrai dust sabhai tum ghao. aapu hath dai moeh bachavo. sukhi basai moro privara. saivak sikh sbhai kartara. (2) Destroy all my enemies*1. With Your Hands protect me. In Bliss remains my household*2, servants, sikh, O Creator! (2) mo rchcha nij kar dai kriye. sabh bairn ko aij sunghriye. pooran hoeh hmari aasa. tor bhjan ki rehai piaasa. (3) Give me your personal protection. Restrain all my adversaries, Today. You’ve Fulfilled my Wishes. My Thirst for Your Worship grows(3). tumeh chadi koei avr na dhiyaoun jo bar chon so tum tai paoon. saivk sikh hmarai tariaeh chuni chuni strhmarai mariaeh. (4) Leaving You, may I never worship another. All my needs, I get from You. You save my Sikhs & Devotees. One-by-One you demolish my foe (4) aap hath dai mujhai obriyai. mrn kal ka tras nivriaye. hoojo sda hamaraipchcha. sri asidhuj joo kriyo rchcha. (5) With your Hand guard me. destroy my fear of death. Always side with me. With your Sword protect me. (5) rakh laiho mohe rakhanharai. sahib sant shaeh piyarai. deen bundhu dustan kai hunta. tum ho puri chtur dus kunta. (6) Save me, Dear Saviour. Beloved, Helper of Saints.O Merciful, Destroyer of tyrants. You are Lord of fourteen worlds (6) kal paeh brhma bup dhra. kal paeh siv joo avtra. kal paeh kr bisnu prkasa. skl kal ka kia tmasa. (7) Time came, Brahma was born, then Shiva was incarnated and then Visnu, Arose. It’s all Tricks of the Temporal Lord. (7) jvan kal jogi siv kio. baid raj brahma joo thio. jvn kal sabh lok svara. nmskar hai taeh hmara. (8) Temporal Lord created Yogi Shiva; Brahma, the Utterer of Vedas. Temporal Lord, fashioned the entire Universe. I salute Him alone. (8) jvan kal sabh jagat bnaio. dev daint jchchan oopjaio. adi aunti aikai avtara. soei guru smjhiayho hmara (9) Creator of Time made the Universe; the angels, demons and yakshas. Start & End only with Him. He alone is My Guru. (9) nmskar tis hi ko hamari. skal prja jin aap svari. sivkn ko siv gun sukh dio. sttrun ko pul mo bdh kio. (10) I bow only to Him. Creator of all entities & subjects. Gives all merits & tranquillity to His devotees. Destroys enemies at once. (10) ghat ghat kai antar ki jant. bhlai burai ki pir pachant. chiti tai kunchr asthoola. sabh par kirpa diristi kar phoola. (11) Intimate Knower of all our feelings. Recognises the anguish of all creatures, good or bad. From ant to elephant, He protects and cares for all.(11) suntun dukh paai tai dukhi sukh paai sadhun kai sukhi aik aik ki pir pchanain ghat ghat kai put put ki janai. (12) When His saints suffer He is pained, and feels happiness when they are happy. Each ones pain he recognises. Everyone’s, every feeling He Knows. (12) jub oodkrkh kra kartara. prja dhrt tab dai apara. jub aakrkh kart ho kabhoon. tum mai milat dai dhr sbhhoon (13) When the Creator, projected Himself, His creations appeared in physical forms. Whenever, Creation is dissolved, all physical forms merge back into Him. (13) jaitai bdan sirsti sbh dharai. aap aapni boojh oocharai. tum sabh hi tai reht niralm. jant baid bhaid ar aalm. (14) created numerous forms and bodies. They utter Him as they can think, what He is. You remain detached from them all. This distinction the wise ones and the religious books know. (14) nirankar niribkar nirmunbh. adi anil anadi asunbh. ta ka moorh oochrut bhida. ja ko bhiv na pavat baida. (15) Formless, Stainless and Self-reliant. Primal, Blemish-less, Endless and birth-less. Only a Fool can discuss your bound. Your Limits even the Vedas do not know. (15) ta ko kar pahn anumant maha moorh kcho bhaid na jant mahadaiv ko keht sda siv nirankar ka chint neh bhiv. (16) The fools consider Him a stone, for He does not know the Profound Mystery that is God. He calls Shiva, The Eternal Lord, and does not know the secret of the Formless Lord. (16)Read More...

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