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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dalvinder Singh Grewal" data-source="post: 226788" data-attributes="member: 22683">GURU NANAK IN MADHYA PRADESH IN SECOND UDASI Madhya Pradesh is the central state of India located between Uttar-Pradesh and Rajasthan in north, Gujrat & Rajastan in the west, Maharashtra in the south and Bihar in the west. Spread over 4,43,446 sq km, the main area is hilly and a portion jungle clad and has a population of 66,181,170 (1991 census). The capital of the state is at Bhopal. The area was ruled by the Muslim Rulers at the time of Guru Nanak’s visit to the area. The author served in this state during 1983-1985 Guru Nanak visited Madhya Pradesh twice; once during the first journey and second time during the second journey while going to South India and Sri Lanka. In his first journey he returned from Puri-Bhubneshwar in Orissa and reached Sarangarh in Madhya Pradesh. He visited Amarkantak and then came to Jabalpur. After visiting Cittarkoot near Manikpur he went to Mahiar Nagar. After visiting Chanderi, Jhansi, Gwalior, Karauli, Dhaulpur and Bharatpur, he reached Mathura. Gurdwaras at Amarkantak, Jabalpur, Gwalior and Mathura commemorate Guru Nanak’s first journey. Gurdwaras at Amarkantak, Jabalpur, Gwalior and Mathura commemorate Guru Nanak's first journey. During his second visit, he entered Madhya Pradesh from Banswara in Rajasthan and reached Jaora in Madhya Pradesh. After this, passing through Mahidpur, he visited Ujjain, which was known as Avantika in ancient times. Nanak visited Jaora from Banswada. There are two Gurdwaras commemorating his visit. Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib, and Gurdwara Guru Nank Sindhi Sangat are both on Station Road. During his second travel, he entered Madhya Pradesh's Banswara and reached Jaora. Jaora is a city and a municipality in Ratlam district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Jaora is located in the Malwa region, between Ratlam and Madsaur. It was the capital of the Jaora Princely State of Jaora before independence. During the Mourning of Muharram, thousands of people from all over the world visit the shrine of Hussain Tekri. Jains visit Jaora as a place that the Jain ascetic Rajendrasuri. There are two city parks, Chota Baagh and Bada Baagh. The Hussain Tekri shrine on the edge of the town attracts thousands of visitors every year. Notable temples include the 900+-year-old Idol of Shree Lakshmikant Bhagwan in Shree Lakshmikant Mandir (Brahmin Gali), Ambe Mata Mandir, Jagnath Mahadev Mandir, the 200-year-old Radhakrishna Temple, Manchapuran Hanuman Temple, Jagnath Mahadev, Bada Mandir (Jain Temple), Jain Dadawadi (Shree Rajendrasurishwar ji maharaj saheb), Rogyadevi Mandir, and Sujalpur Mandir. There are two Gurdwaras on Station Road commemorating Guru Nanak's visit to the place; one is Dujh Niwaran Gurdwara, and the other is Sindhi Gurdwara. Jaora has a railway station on the India Railways network between Ratlam - Ajmer section. From Jaora there are direct trains for Ajmer, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Agra, Kota, Indore, Bhopal, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Ujjain, Ratlam, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Mumbai, Vadodara, Ahmedabad. The Mhow-Neemuch state highway passes through Jaora. Jaora is 38 km from district HQ Ratlam. Buses provide access to the surrounding area. From Jaora his next stop was at Mehidpur. Mahidpur City is a city and a municipality, near Ujjain city in Ujjain district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Mahidpur City takes its name from Raja Jhala Maheda Singh, who was the founder of Mahidpur. The modern town of Mahidpur is situated on the bank of river Shipra. It is located in the Malwa region. At present, the town is a tehsil place of Ujjain district. Mahidpur is situated at a distance of 56 km southwest of Ujjain town by bus and 18 km from Mahidpur-Road Railway station on Delhi-Mumbai line of Western Railway. The town is well connected by road to Ujjain, Ratlam, Nagda, and Agar. As of 2001 India census, Mahidpur had a population of 34,365. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Mahidpur has an average literacy rate of 62%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 70%, and female literacy is 52%. In Mahidpur, 17% of the population is under 6 years of age. Mahidpur is the place where sikhs 1st Guru, Guru Nanak Dev ji stayed for 1 night. Gurdwara Guru SinghSabha commemorates Guru Nanak's visit to the place.The place Nanak ji visited, in Mahidpur also has a samadhi under a neem tree in backyard. Locals say that a moustached snake lives in the samadhi and protects the place. Ujjain, the city of Baba Mahakal, has also had a great relationship with Guru Nanak Dev Ji. In fact, Ujjain is one of the 6 places where Guru Nanak Devji came to Madhya Pradesh. Gurudev traveled to Girnar Mountain and came to Ujjain. They stayed there for a long time. During this time, he had satsang with the disciples of Yogiraj Bhartrihari, under the tamarind tree in front of Ramghat. It is also mentioned in the holy book of Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Nanak Dev Ji had said three words to Bhartrihari that Guru Nanak Dev Ji had become a Jogi by renouncing all illusions. The Bhartruhari cave, which is still famous today, is where Bhartruhari used to meditate. Near that cave, a mosque was built by the Muslim society, which had a huge tamarind tree. When Guru Nanak Dev came to Ujjain for the first time, he sat under this tree. After that, he met his wife. After reaching Ujjain, Nanak Sahib and Bhai Mardana started chanting. Seeing both of them doing kirtan, Bhartruhari did not stop and he reached Nanak Sahib and started questioning Nanak Sahib that how many Jogis coming here will get salvation, in response to which Nanak Sahib told Bhartruhari 3 words which are written on part number 223 of the book of Guru Granth Sahib. It is recorded in the Guru Granth Sahib that Guru Nanak Dev Ji had said three Vani in Ujjain, which Bhartruhari was very pleased to hear. After which he asked many questions to Nanak Sahib and cleared his doubts. This continued for a few days. Nanak Sahib stayed in Ujjain for a long time. Its history is written in the museum of Amritsar, if you are interested in knowing about it, then you can read about it in detail by going to the museum of Amritsar. Guru Nanak Dev Ji had said these three things. Organ - 223: If a man does spiritual work, it is true. A false man cannot understand the mystery of salvation. A yogi is one who thinks of the means of union with the Lord and establishes God in his heart by ending the five vikas.Organ - 223: For me the nature of forgiveness is fasting, good conduct and contentment. I am not suffering from any disease or ailment. I am liberated by being absorbed in the formless God.Part 411: Man must come down from the valley of sin and bathe in the lake of virtues. God should be praised. As there is water in the sky, one should be absorbed in the Lord and contemplate the truth and drink the nectar of Maharsa.In Ujjain he visited Ujjain which was known as Awantika in ancient times. From Ujjain, he visited Dhara Nagri, Betma, Indore, Bhopal, Hoshangabad, Onkareshwar andIn reached Burhanpur while proceeding to Sri Lanka Ujjain: While visiting Mhow in Madhya Pradesh, I had the privilege of visiting Gurdwaras related to Guru Nanak Dev Ji. I first visited Ujjain which was about 2 hours from Mhow where I stayed. During his second journey, while proceeding to Sri Lanka, he re-entered Madhya Pradesh from Banswada in Rajasthan and reached Jaora in Madhya Pradesh. Thereafter passing through Mehidpur, he visited Ujjain which was known as Awantika in ancient times.          [ATTACH=full]23394[/ATTACH]                                         Map showing Guru Nanak travels in Madhya Pradesh Ujjain was the seat of the viceroyalty of Ashoka, during his father's rule of Patliputra (Patna). However, it is best known as the capital of the legendary king Vikaramaditya at whose court the "nine jewels" of Hindu literature are said to have flourished. Of these the poet Kalidas was the most renowned. It was here that Shiva, the God of Destruction, vanquished a wicked demon named Tripura. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu pilgrims throng here from all corners. It is also famous for Kumbh Fair held each 12 years. Famous Hindu temples include Shri Mahkaleshwar Mandir known for Jyotarling and Shiv Shaktipeeth. [ATTACH=full]23395[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]23396[/ATTACH] Mention of Guru Nanak's visit is found in Janamsakhi Meharban, 'Tab...Guru Baba Nanak ji Ujjain jai niklia'1 (Guru Baba then reached Ujjain). There was the cave of Bharthari, the place where Bharthari was born and the cave of Gorakh. Many mendicants, saints, bairagis, etc. had collected at Awantika to have bath on Vaisakhi day. Guru Nanak too reached there and was invited by the followers of Bharthari for a mutualdiscussion. Near the cave exists a mosque and after the entry into the cave there is a platform. A tamarind (Imli) tree exists at the site. A platform existed ahead of the mosque too. Guru Nanak positioned himself on that platform. Guru Nanak was asked a question, "Will all these saints, mendicants, faqirs, bairagis and udasis who have come here for salvation, ever get it?" Guru Nanak then recited a hymn to explain: ''If a man does spiritual deeds then alone is he true. What can the false man know about the secret of salvation? Such a man is yogi, who thinks of the way of union with God. He slays the five enemies and keeps clasped the true Lord to his heart. He within whose mind, God enshrines truth, realizes the worth of the way of union with Him. The coming to the pilgrimage is worth only if they realize the True Lord. Most of the world does business like hired-labour. Nobody achieves anything without the Lord. Remember always the name of The Lord.''2 All present were pleased to hear him. Guru Nanak entered the cave and held discussions with the descendant of Bharthari also called Bharthari Hari. He said, "You are a worldly person, while we live in jungles and caves. We believe in mysticism which you dislike. I am afraid that I will not be able to look after you properly.'' guru Nanak said: ''What fear can a yogi have when that Lord is amongst trees, plants and within and without the house (pause) The yogi meditates on the Fearless and Pure Lord. Night and Day he remains awake and embraces affection for the True Name. Such a yogi is pleasing to my mind. He burns snare of death with Lord's fire. He sheds the fear of old age and death and stills his ego. He himself swims across and saves his ancestors too. He who serves the True Guru becomes a Yogi. He who remains immersed in Lord's fear becomes fearless. As is the one whom he serves, so does he himself become? God's Name makes man pure and fearless.''3 All the present then bowed before the Guru. Having the feast of true knowledge they were satisfied by Guru's explanation. A Gurdwara known as ‘Gurdwara Guru Nanak Ghat’ commemorating Guru Nanak’s visit. It is on the bank (Ghat) of southern bank of Shipra River opposite the famous Mahakal mandir and close to Datt Akhara. One can reach it through Nar singh Ghat bridge or the bridge next to Mahakal Mandir. The gurdwara is being renovated by ‘Sant Bhuri Wale’ through voluntary labour (k{censored}wa). Tamarind tree has developed into a very large tree. [ATTACH=full]23397[/ATTACH] Gurdwara Guru Nanak in the background on the bank of River                                   [ATTACH=full]23398[/ATTACH]                             History Board in front of Gurdwara depicting Guru Nanak's visit to Ujjain                                  [ATTACH=full]23399[/ATTACH]                   [ATTACH=full]23400[/ATTACH]   [ATTACH=full]23401[/ATTACH]                                           The tree under which Guru Nanak sat and meditated [ATTACH=full]23402[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]23403[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]23404[/ATTACH] 1.Main gate to Raja Bharthari and Gopi Chand Caves 2.Cave of Yogi Raja Bharthari 3. Cave 2 of Yogi Raja Gopi Chand Being present at the naturally magnetic place, watching the scenic beauty around Shipra River was a real blessing. Guru Nanak came all the way from Punjab crossing thousands of miles of the burning sands of Rajasthan into this God blessed land known not only for Mahakumbh but also for its very rich history and the Hindu temp les of great reckoning. He landed in the areas of Sidhas (close to Datt Akhara of Siddhas) who were dominating the Hindu thought then. People gather in large number Mahakaleshwar Mandir to pay obeisance to Jyotarling and Shaktipeeth around Mahashivratri of 1511 AD (Bikrami 1568 Samwat) when the gathering was the largest. His meeting Bharthari Hari’s followers and having discussion on the principles of religion and methodology of meeting God is now on record in SGGS. From Ujjain, Guru Nanak went to Dhara Nagri and Betma and reached Indore, a city on the Bhopal-Khandwa line. Dhara Nagari (Dhar), Giani Gian Singh in Twareekh Guru Khalsa Part 1 Guru 1 (Pub 1892 AD [2], mentions the details of Guru Nanak’s visit to Dhara Nagri (Dhar) in detail: “Having descended from Abu Hills, he reached Nakhi Teerath where number of Vaishnos lived around Vashishat Ashram. Adter having visiting Achleshwar Mahadev he entered territory of Bhils. Pacifying the vilent Bhils he reached Dhara Nagri where Gopi Chand had been the famous king”. Gopi Chand was the nephew of King Bharthari Hari of Ujjain. As per the legend the legendry king Bharthari who ruled Ujjain during tenth century having been ditched by his beloved wife abdicated the kingship and became a yogi accepting Yog at the hands of Gorakh Nath. Guru Nanak visited the cave in which he stayed while performing Yog and held discussions with him. Gopi Chand the king of Dhara Nagri also adopted yog with him leaving his kingdom. During the period of Guru Nanak’s visit to Dharanagri, Sikander Lodhi (1489–1517) was the king at Delhi. The local ruler at the place knew Guru Nanak when Guru Nanak was in the service of Daulat Khan Lodhi at Sultanpur Lodhi. He welcomed Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak settled in Kala Baag (black garden). The historic parts of the town are dominated by an impressive sandstone fortress on a small hill. It is thought to have been built by Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi, probably on the site of the ancient Dhārāgiri mentioned in early sources. [3] Dhar Fort                             [ATTACH=full]23405[/ATTACH] Having already heard about Guru Nanak, the local people visited Guru Nanak in large number. Since the followers of Bharthari and Gopi Chand have been dominating this area, they were much disturbed by Guru Nanak’s increasing following. They came to Guru Nanak and challenged for a discussion. They insisted on their superiority of Yoga to which Guru Nanak replied through a hymn in Rag Ramkali giving out the defects in the type of yoga they have adopted and told them the qualities of true yog and guided them to follow Guru’s teachings sincerely: ਰਾਮਕਲੀਮਹਲਾ੧॥ਛਾਦਨੁਭੋਜਨੁਮਾਗਤੁਭਾਗੈ॥ਖੁਧਿਆਦੁਸਟਜਲੈਦੁਖੁਆਗੈ॥ਗੁਰਮਤਿਨਹੀਲੀਨੀਦੁਰਮਤਿਪਤਿਖੋਈ॥ਗੁਰਮਤਿਭਗਤਿਪਾਵੈਜਨੁਕੋਈ॥੧॥ਜੋਗੀਜੁਗਤਿਸਹਜਘਰਿਵਾਸੈ॥ਏਕਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿਏਕੋਕਰਿਦੇਖਿਆਭੀਖਿਆਭਾਇਸਬਦਿਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਾਸੈ॥੧॥ਰਹਾਉ॥ਪੰਚਬੈਲਗਡੀਆਦੇਹਧਾਰੀ॥ਰਾਮਕਲਾਨਿਬਹੈਪਤਿਸਾਰੀ॥ਧਰਤੂਟੀਗਾਡੋਸਿਰਭਾਰਿ॥ਲਕਰੀਬਿਖਰਿਜਰੀਮੰਝਭਾਰਿ॥੨॥ਗੁਰਕਾਸਬਦੁਵੀਚਾਰਿਜੋਗੀ॥ਦੁਖੁਸੁਖੁਸਮਕਰਣਾਸੋਗਬਿਓਗੀ॥ਭੁਗਤਿਨਾਮੁਗੁਰਸਬਦਿਬੀਚਾਰੀ॥ਅਸਥਿਰੁਕੰਧੁਜਪੈਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੀ॥੩॥ਸਹਜਜਗੋਟਾਬੰਧਨਤੇਛੂਟਾ॥ਕਾਮੁਕ੍ਰੋਧੁਗੁਰਸਬਦੀਲੂਟਾ॥ਮਨਮਹਿਮੁੰਦ੍ਰਾਹਰਿਗੁਰਸਰਣਾ॥ਨਾਨਕਰਾਮਭਗਤਿਜਨਤਰਣਾ॥੪॥੧੧॥ (ਪੰਨਾ੮੭੯) Raamkali, First Mehl: He runs around, begging for clothes and food. He burns with hunger and corruption, and will suffer in the world hereafter. He does not follow the Guru’s Teachings; through his evil-mindedness, he loses his honor. Only through the Guru’s Teachings will such a person become devoted. || 1 || The way of the Yogi is to dwell in the celestial home of bliss. He looks impartially, equally upon all. He receives the charity of the Lord’s Love, and the Word of the Shabad, and so he is satisfied. || 1 || Pause || The five bulls, the senses, pull the wagon of the body around. By the Lord’s power, one’s honor is preserved. But when the axle breaks, the wagon falls and crashes. It falls apart, like a pile of logs. || 2 || Contemplate the Word of the Guru’s Shabad, Yogi. Look upon pain and pleasure as one and the same, sorrow and separation. Let your food be contemplative meditation upon the Naam, the Name of the Lord, and the Word of the Guru’s Shabad. Your wall shall be permanent, by meditating on the Formless Lord. || 3 || Wear the loin-cloth of poise, and be free of entanglements. The Guru’s Word shall release you from sexual desire and anger. In your mind, let your ear-rings be the Sanctuary of the Guru, the Lord. O Nanak, worshipping the Lord in deep devotion, the humble are carried across.|| 4 || 11 || Having explained what a true Yoga is and to follow their Guru’s teaching; he shamed them for not following their Guru’s teaching. He mentioned that their Guru Gopi Chand had left the worldly pleasures including his kingdom but you enjoy vast mansions left by him and do not even care for the visiting mendicants and are more eager to pick up a fight rather than to listen to him peacefully. Have some same shame and follow the footsteps of your Guru. Having listened to the Guru they fell at his feet and promised to follow the path of truth and renunciation of the evil in true terms. Mardana enquired from the Guru as to how King Gopi Chand relinquished his kingdom. Guru Nanak replied: “Gopi Chand was the son of Birsain and the maternal grandson of Gandharab Sain. His mother Mainawati followed Yoga, hence she gave him lessons on Yoga and made him a Yogi. The area (Kala Baag) where we are seated got his ears pierced from Yogi Jalandhari Nath and obtained Yoga”. There is no Gurdwara commemorating Guru’s visit to Dhar, however the area has lot of followers of Sikhism in this entire belt and they have constructed their own Gurdwars in the villages around. Sikligars have Gurdwaras in Surma, Bankaner, Singhana, Barwa Gandhwani, Ganwali, Bumja Hawai Patti in Chhindwara village, Pachauri in Burhanpur, Palsud, Ashwada and Ojher in District Badwani, Gandhwani Garaba, Shahpur Sadwa etc., where they have about 100 families each and in Indore and Bhopal too have their presence. Some other Gurdwaras of Sikligars and Wanjaras in Madhya Pradesh are Khargon West Nimar District,Gurdwara Betma Sahib, National Highway 59, Indore Road, Indore District, Village Maliwada, Dhar District, Dhar, Barwani District, Jhabua District, Thandla, Bhaghana, Neemuch District, Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh, Kilkipura Juna, Ujjain District, Nagda, Dhar District, Dehrisaray, Thathere Sikhs are in Janta Colony of Indore. I met number of Sikligars, Wanjaras, Satnamis, Bijnoris, and Thathere Sikhs in this entire belt of Madhya Pradesh and visited some of their Gurdwaras. [ATTACH=full]23406[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]23407[/ATTACH]                                 Sikligar children of Barwa Gandhwani, District Dhar, MP                        .[ATTACH=full]23408[/ATTACH]                 Gurdwara Baba Dip Singh of Sikligar Sikhs Pind Bakaner Dist, Dhar Madhya Pradesh The condition of these Sikligars and Wanjaras is very poor. They are not able to feed themselves adequately what to talk of reasonable living. Till recently none of their child went to school. Now however they are sending their children to schools but do not have fees for good schools hence have to do with the local schools only. This restricts their development in education and development as such and they remain at the lower strata of the society. Their previous profession has been making tools and weapons for the armies of the Mughals, Marathas and local chiefs. This profession was banned by the British and they are being punished for the very profession for which they have been making their living for centuries. Wanjaras do local business and are located in Neemad, Khargaun, Narwar, Dewas, Sanawad, Ojhar, Burhanpur, Khadnar, Itarsi Kanghi Mohalla (700 families) and Nagpur Ekta Colony (around 7000 persons). Niranjanpur in Indore has 500 houses of Wanjaras; Bijnoris Sikhs migrated from UP first to Gandhi Nagar area of Bhopal, where they have around 150 families. Some of them have now shifted to Indore belt. Ujjain has 250 families of Wanjaras. The Gurdwara Guru Nanak Ghat was in progress where almost all workers were from these communities worked. The well-to-do Sikhs especially at Indore, Bhopal, Nagpur, Jabalpur and other cities of MP have been helping them but to a limited extent. SGPC and DGPC too, show their appearance through some preachers occasionally. The need however, is of a large scale effort to help them out from this milieu and to ensure that these Sikhs numbering millions (100 million?) are elevated to reasonable standard. More schools and alternative jobs are needed for them. I wrote an article about them in 1968 in Sikh Review and later wrote two pamphlets depicting their history and present plight. I have worked for them ever since hence I plead to the Global Sikhs to come forward for this noble cause of development of their brethren. I am sure Global Sikh Society will do more to ensure their development. From Dhar (Dharanagri) Guru Nanak visited Betma. Distance between Dhar and Betma is 56 kms on highway no 47 which further leads to Indore another 38 kms and 25 kms from Mhow cantonment. </blockquote>

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