New posts

Welcome to all New Sikh Philosophy Network Forums!

Explore Sikh Sikhi Sikhism...
Sign up Log in

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dalvinder Singh Grewal" data-source="post: 226789" data-attributes="member: 22683">Guru Nanak in Madhya Pradesh in Second Udasi Part 2Betma Sahib Betma is an old town of Malwa region located at <a href="https://tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Betma&params=22.68_N_75.62_E_" target="_blank">22.68°N 75.62°E</a>. [4] It has an average elevation of 541 metres (1774 feet) and has population of 12,529. [5] It falls in Tehsil Dipalpur of Indore district of Madhya Pradesh on Indore-Dhar Road 38 kms from Indore.           [ATTACH=full]23409[/ATTACH] Betma Sahib Gurudwara commemorates Guru Nanak’s visit to the place. It was visited by Guru Nanak in 1511 AD when it was under the Muslim rulers. Mughals and Holkars came to the area much later. The city of Indore too had not come into existence then. Ujjain was the key city and the religious centre in the area then. Another city was Dhar which was known as Dhara Nagri. After visiting Ujjain and Dhara Nagri, the Guru came to this place. As per the local tradition, he stayed here for six months. Guru Nanak’s footprints are preserved in the Gurdwara. During his stay in the area he kept himself attuned to the God through meditation and hymns in accompaniment of music by Bhai Mardana and held discussions with the local saints. 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. -[ATTACH=full]23410[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]23411[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]23412[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]23413[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]23414[/ATTACH] Historically, a 1020 CE copper plate inscription of the Parmar king Bhoj (King of Ujjain) found in Betma links it to legendry king Raja Bhoj. [6]After Parmars, Muslim rulers took over and then came the Mughals. In Mughal era, Betma was a paragna under a kanungo (Hakk Dastoor 26) under Ujjain Sarkar. During Akbar’s time Thakur Dungar Singh Nigam, a Kayasth Kshtari was appointed Betma paragna Jagirdar who received the sanad and title of Kanungo from the Ujjain Sarkar under Akbar's court. Marathas took over from Mughals and the Holkers changed the revenue policy and appointed Madhorao Bhag as Betma local revenue collector. Later a Chouhan Rajput was appointed revenue agent (Ugahi Thekedar) by the agent of Holkars’ Bagh Mansabdar and Pargna Kanungo of Betma. Chouhans maintained their post of revenue agents during the British Raj. In free India it became a part of Indore District Having been under Muslims, Mughals, Marathas and other Hindu rulers Betma has got a truly cosmopolitan culture. Places of worship of all major Indian religions are found here. In addition to the Gurdwara commemorating the visit of Guru Nanak Dev ji, ‘Aman Chaman Mata Mandir’ is of historical significance to Hindus. "Saeyad Sarkar" a Sufi Saint of village Daultabad 10 km away on Depalpur road from Betma is visited for spiritual knowledge and blessings. ‘Dargah e Isa Ji Shaheed’ is situated in Lakhera Bakhal and is of historical significance for Dawoodi Bohras. Indore Indore is the most populous and the largest city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.[7] It is the headquarters of both Indore District and Division. Indore was described by the Economic Times as the commercial capital of the state. It is also considered as an education hub of the state and first city to have campuses of both the Indian Institute of Technology and the Indian Institute of Management.[8] Located on the southern edge of Malwa Plateau, at an average altitude of 550 meters above sea level it has the highest elevation among major cities of Central India. The city is 190 km west of the state capital of Bhopal the state capital. With a census-estimated 2011 population of 1,994,397 (municipal corporation) [9][10] the Indore Metropolitan Area's population is the state's largest. The city is distributed over a land area of just 530 square kilometers making Indore the most densely populated major city in the central province. Indore is on the Bhopal-Khandwa line. It has not come to exist during or before the visit of Guru Nanak. Indore traces its roots to its 16th century founding as a trading hub between the Deccan and Delhi. The city and its surroundings came under Hindu Maratha Empire on 18 May 1724 after Maratha Peshwa Bahi Rao I assumed the full control of Malwa. The city was later built by Rani Ahalya Bai (1765-95) the famous Holker ruler on the rivers of Sarswati and Khan. Before this it was only a small town having some Jain temples. During the days of the British Raj, Indore State was a 19 Gun Salute princely state ruled by the Maratha Holkar dynasty, until they acceded to the Union of India.[11] Indore served as the capital of the Madhya Bharat from 1950 until 1956. Indore has been selected as one of the 100 Indian cities to be developed as a smart city.[12] among the first twenty cities .[13] Indore has been elected as the cleanest city of India as per the Swachh Survekshan.[14] Guru Nanak visited Indore in 1511 AD from Betma. Indore was not a city but a few hillocks on the banks of rivers. Guru Nanak came and settled on Khan River in Harsidhi Tola near Machhli Bazar. The area was agriculturally rich due to rivulets Sirpir, Bilawali, Piplya and Peeliakhal watering the land to keep it green. As per local legend Guru Nanak stayed in this area (now Indore) for three months and held discussions with saints in Krishanpura on Chanderbhaga River and remained in deep meditation for the remaining period. Guru Nanak visited temples around Indore and held discussions with Jainis. He had planted a tamrand (Imli) tree in the area which became a sprawling tree. A Gurdwara is now constructed in the area in Guru Nanak’s memory. This Gurdwara remained in the control of Udasis who later converted into their own property. Later in a prolonged court case the Sikhs of Indore have been able to restore the place from the Hindu family. Now a Gurdwara has been constructed at the place. Indore is historically attached to Sikhism. It has 7 Gurdwaras. Gurdwara Imli Sahib is the historical Sikh shrine in Indore commemorating Guru Nanak’s visit. It is centrally located and beautiful devotees assure spiritual knowledge, peace and bliss here. The Sikhs who came from Punjab during the rule of Holkars and settled in this area; constructed a Gurdwara close to tamarind tree to commemorate Guru Nanak’s visit to this place. A monumental four storeyed building of Gurdwara was later constructed in 1940 AD at the place. This tamarind tree existed till 70 years ago when the tree was cut to expand the gurdwara. A great discussion took place before cutting the tamrand tree. Since Sikhs did not believe in idol worship, it was decided that tamarind tree had become a source of worship hence be removed. A new portion of the gurdwara was constructed at the place. The name of the Gurdwara remained however Gurdwara Imli Sahib. Earlier there used to be a high mound of the height of Gurdwara. This mound was gradually washed away by the flooding river waters and is now extinct. No trace exists of the historic tamarind tree either but Sri Guru Granth Sahib in a palanquin (palki) keeps the memory of Guru Nanak’s visit alive through regular recitation of Gurbani. The local congregation (sangat) also keeps on meditating or reciting Gurbani in its presence. This Gurdwara is at the centre of the city on famous Jawahar Road showing the expansion, extension and development of Indore city as we see it now. It is close to Municipality Office. The entire city developed around it in many kilometeres. LIG is a residential area in indore at Agra-Bombay road, A Gurudwara is also present near LIG square also called as LIG Gurudwara. LIG Gurudwara has its own beauty. It is one of the best infrastructure of Indore in terms of devotional places. Gurudwara Topkhana Sahab is present at MG road indore. [ATTACH=full]23415[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]23418[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]23416[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]23417[/ATTACH] Gurdwara Imli Sahib Indore Gurdwara Imli Sahib is in the centre of Indore in Rajwada area close to Municipal Committee office. The building is very impressive. It has a lift to go to various storeys. In the place of tree now Sri Guru Granth Sahib is established where continuous recitation is always in progress. All the Gurpurabs are being celebrated with great fervour and the Sikhs and non Sikhs gather in large number daily to pay obeisance at the place. Manjit Singh (9425077777, 98260 76000) President Gurdwara Indore and S. Jasbir Singh Gandhi is the Secretary (9425082677). We reached Indore from Ujjain and paid our obeisance at the place. A four storeyed Gurdwara commemorates Guru Nanak’s visit. There used to be the tamarind till 70 years ago when to expand the gurdwara the tree was cut. Now there is no trace exists of this historic tree but Sri Guru Granth Sahib in a palanquin (palki) keep the memory of Guru Nanak alive through regular recitation of Gurbani. The local sangat also keeps on meditation or path of Japuji Sahib in its presence. Guru Nanak left Indore for Bhopal. Paying our obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib placed at the place where once Imli (tamarind) tree existed. One misses the tamarind tree, the real essence. Cutting of it is an obliteration of the evidence of Guru Nanak’s visit. The space of the Gurdwara is too small to expand. There is no parking area either. An adjoining building has been purchased for the parking site. The streets leading to the Gurdwara are also narrow. More land is needed to ensure the much needy expansion due to increasing attraction of this historical place. The library, conference room and the office are spacious however. Regular langar (free kitchen) service for everyone draws lot of people daily. Guru Nanak left Indore for Bhopal. Bhopal is now the capital of Madhya Pradesh. Raja Bhoj is stated to be the founder of Bhopal. The grand lake built by Raja Bhoj is the key attraction. Bhopal is in Vindhayachal ranges perched on a hill feature. All trains from New Delhi to Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai pass through Bhopal. The then king of Bhopal was too worldly. He was acquainted with Guru Nanak at Sultanpur when Guru Nanak was the store-holder of Daulat Khan. Guru Nanak sent a message to the king about his arrival. The King replied, “I have a job at hand. I will finish this and will come over without delay.” He sent his servant with delicious food. Guru Nanak waited for him for a day. Next day the king turned up. Guru Nanak enquired the reason for delay, “It was a financial deal which did not allow me to come yesterday. I started immediately after the job was completed.” Guru Nanak said, “It is the God who gets everything done. Man is just a play thing in his hands.” He then sang a hymn, “Ram Nam chit(u) rapai ja ka. Upjant darsan kariai taka” (Gauri Astpadia, Mahala 1, p. 228) (At early dawn see the sight of him whose soul is imbued with the Lord’s Name. Your ill luck is that you do not meditate on the Name of pervading Lord. In every age, beneficent is my Lord master (Pause). Under Guru’s instructions, the perfect man meditates on the Lord. In his mind, the unstruck melodious bands play. The persons, who bear love to God, and Lord’s devotional service; the master mercifully preserves them. In whose heart that Lord abides; by seeing their sight peace is obtained. Amongst all the beings, the One Lord is contained. The proud perverse person, ultimately wanders in existence. He alone understands the Lords who obtains the True Guru. Stilling his ego, he receives the Guru’s word. How can the mortal know about the union of the low man with the high Lord? By Guru’s grace, and through mind’s appeasement the man meets with master’s union. I am a sinner, without merit, O my master, show goodness unto me. When the Lord becomes merciful, slave Nanak is emancipated.) During discourses with the king, Guru Nanak was told of king’s ancestor who was affected by leprosy and then living on the rock-hill in mud cave. Guru Nanak went over to him and heard his story. Guru Nanak redeemed him and asked him to worship true Lord’s Name who will save him from such curse. The mud cave can still be seen. We visited this hut in 1985. There was no Gurdwara at the place then. A Gurdwara exists about 500 yards from the place which is said to be in the memory of Guru Gobind Singh’s visit to the place. The mud cave hut is regularly visited by devotees from all religions. A Muslim priest looks after the place. The originality of the place is maintained. It is not like we Sikhs who construct huge Gurdwaras at the historical site and hide all the history evidence. It is high time the Sikhs learn preservation rather than destroying the original and constructing large sized showy structures by spending huge funds of devotees. It is not the money, wealth or stone structures which increase the value of the place; it is the reverence and devotion which consist of the real soul and the maintenance of the true worth of a historical object or relic. From Bhopal Guru Nanak proceeded to Hoshangabad on the bank of Narmada river. Hoshangabad is a key railway station on Delhi-Bhopal-Mumbai line. There are numerous temples in the city which include Jagan Nath Mandir, Ram Chander Mandir, Hanuman Mandir, Mahadev Mandir and Shani Mandir. Guru Nanak visited these temples and held discussions with the religious leaders. The Guru stayed in a garden, where the ruler and the people of the area benefited from the company of Guru Nanak. A memorial in honour of Guru Nanak stands in the garden. From Hoshangabad Guru Nanak went to visit Surya Kund and Oankareshwar. Oankareshwar also known as Mandhata is 8 Kilometres from the Omkareshwar Road railway station on the Indore- Khandwa branch line. Omkareshwar Omkareshwar is one of the most sacred towns situated in Madhya Pradesh on Indore-Khandwa Highway. The holy town is situated on the meeting point of two rivers- Narmada and Kaveri. The swift and deep river is the haunt of crocodiles and fishes. The rocks have a tint of green which blends beautifully with the dark green foliage and the brown and grey temples which rise in rows. Raja Mandhatri was the founder of the holy shrine who claimed descent from the Sun. Meeting between two of these most prominent rivers of India leaves the island in the shape of Hindu symbol Om symbol hence named as such. The holy city has two of the twelve holiest temples dedicated to Shiva, situated on an island, about 3 kilometres long in the middle of the sacred Narmada River. The two ancient shrines are Omkareshwar (whose name means "Lord of Omkaara or the Lord of the Om Sound") located in the island and Amareshwar (whose name means "Immortal lord" or "lord of the Immortals or Devas") located on the south bank of Narmada River on the mainland. Omkareshwar is a pilgrimage center for Hindus housing one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, situated on Mandhata islands in river Narmada. The temple of Omkareshwar is situated on the Birkhala rocks and is picturesque building with a courtyard and colonnades supported by massive pillars. The original shrine Amreshwar or Manileshwar, which contains the holy Lingam dedicated to Shiva is on the southern part of the island. The original site was taken over by the jungle. The Maratha Peshwa Bala Ji Rao II tried to find and restore the shrine but could not do so and he built a new temple. When the original site was later found, a temple was built over it too and the Peshwa’s shrine retains the name of Manileshwar. On the north bank of the Narmada, a short distance away from Omkarji, are ruins of temples dedicated to Vishnu and also of Jain temples. The Jain temples stand on an eminence a little back from the river. The largest is on 5 ft. high plinth. [ATTACH=full]23419[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]23420[/ATTACH] Every Monday the golden idol of Lord Omkar is shown to the pilgrims and visitors with bands, drums, and priests gathering in procession, after which they go to the river to finish their worship. Temple permit required for photographing. The whole area is bounded by mountains presenting a very beautiful view. The view around the island is also serene and relaxing. [ATTACH=full]23421[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]23422[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]23423[/ATTACH] Omkareshwar is a popular pilgrim destination, dedicated to lord Shiva in Madhya Pradesh state of Central situated 80 km from Indore to the south in Khandwa District. It is in western part of state on the bank of holy Narmada River. The eternal god Lord Shiva is one of the three main gods of Hindus - Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesh (Shiva). Omkareshwar, called Mandhata or Shivapuri is a sacred island of Lord Shiva, situated 80 km from Indore, the financial capital of Madhya Pradesh. The island got a shape of “OM’ by the two lofty hills, divided by a valleys, ‘OM’ which is a sacred Hindu symbol, also known to be a sound from which this whole universe and living being originated. Omkareshwar is revered for Jyotirlinga in Mamaleshwar Temple. According to its history; Parmar King Udayaditya installed 4 stone inscriptions here with some holy couplets of Shiv Mahima inscribed on these in 10th century AD. The temple then came to be known as Amaleshwar Temple. Thousands of visitors around the globe come here on Mahashivaratri to celebrate union with God. Omkareshwar is a Hindu temple, is on an island called Mandhata or Shivapuri in the Narmada River. Bhils followed by Rajputs ruled the area in 12th and 13th century. From 1200 A.D. Muslim rule started during which the ancient temples and idols were destroyed. When Allauddin passed through this country in 1295 A.D., returning from Deccan he conquered Asirgarh (near Burhanpur) near Omkareshwar. Later Ghouri and Aurangzeb devastated yhe area and these temples. The remains of temples and structures around Mandhata in plenty are witness of this devastation. The hills are covered with remnants of habitations built in stones (Basalt and yellow Sand-stone) without cement. Mamaleshwar is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas spread over India. Also called Amakeshwar, the temple it is a protected ancient moment on the bank of holy Narmada River on opposite bank of Omkareshwar temple. Often people consider Omkareshwar temple as Jyotirlinga temple but it is Mamaleshwar temple in Omkareshwar town having the actual Jyotirlinga. [15] In fairs and festivals like Maha-shivratri, Diwali, Dussehra, Navratra and Vasant Panchami local people gather here in large numbers to celebrate. Most of the visitors are from nearby townships and cities like Indore, Khandwa, Ujjain, Dhar etc. Visitors also do boating and shopping and enjoy night lighting arrangement in temples and streets. The airports closest to Omkareshwar are Indore (77km) and Ujjain (133km). The nearest railway station is 12 km away, but it is not on the mainline and is not connected to the major cities. The nearest major railway station is Indore (77 km). A bus can be boarded from Ujjain, Indore or Khandwa. Distance of Omkareshwar from Indore and Maheshwar is 80 kms, Mandu and Ujjain is 145 kms, Burhanpur 125 Kms and Bhopal 280 kms. It is about 12 miles (20 km) from Mortakka in Madhya Pradesh. Omkareshwar was Visited by Guru Nanak Dev Ji during his itinerary (udasi) to south. Guru Nanak’s visited all the temples around. There was a discourse between Guru Nanak and the Pundit (Priest) of Omkareshwar temple which was compuled by Guru Nanak as hymn (bani) Dhakhni Ongkar. The study of the first stanza of this bani clearly indicates that Guru Nanak spoke about the philosophy of the Pundit of Omkar Temple. In rest of the Bani (from stanza 2 to 54) Guru Nanak cleared the confusion of the Pundit about nature and attributes of God. The Idol of Shiva or Linga of Shiva is considered as ‘Ekamkaar’ (Omkar) by the Pundits of Omkareshwar Temple. The Pundit also equated ‘Omkar’ to OM, which represents Trinity of God. This was not the philosophy of Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak explained to the Pundit that there is no Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) of God to which the word, ‘Oankar’ or ‘Omkar’, is implied. Guru Nanak explained to the Pundit that God is ‘One and the Only One’. He does not come into anthropomorphic form (Ajuni); and no specific/descriptive name can be coined for God since God is an ‘Eternal Entity’ and ineffable.Bani Dakhni Omkar was composed by Guru Nanak to explain to the Pundit of Omkar Temple that God cannot be represented as Omkar since it originated from OM – The Trinity: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva. The Gurdwara is Situated on the bank of the river Narmada in Omkareshwar. The Phone of Gurdwara priest (granthi) is 07280271330, Mobile : 9827714749 fo future contact. [URL unfurl="true"]http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Gurdwara_Omkareshwar_Sahib[/URL] The Gurmukhi and the English transliteration of three stanzas of bani Dakhni Oankaar (out of the 54 stanzas in SGGS (pp. 929-930)) is given next: ਰਾਮਕਲੀ ਮਹਲਾ 1 ਦਖਣੀ ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥  ਓਅੰਕਾਰਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਉਤਪਤਿ ॥ ਓਅੰਕਾਰੁ ਕੀਆ ਜਿਨਿ ਚਿਤਿ ॥ ਓਅੰਕਾਰਿ ਸੈਲ ਜੁਗ ਭਏ ॥ ਓਅੰਕਾਰਿ ਬੇਦ ਨਿਰਮਏ ॥ ਓਅੰਕਾਰਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਉਧਰੇ ॥ ਓਅੰਕਾਰਿ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਤਰੇ ॥ ਓਨਮ ਅਖਰ ਸੁਣਹੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਓਨਮ ਅਖਰੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਸਾਰੁ ॥ 1 ॥ ਸੁਣਿ ਪਾਡੇ ਕਿਆ ਲਿਖਹੁ ਜੰਜਾਲਾ ॥ ਲਿਖੁ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਗੋਪਾਲਾ ॥ 1 ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਸਸੈ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਸਹਜਿ ਉਪਾਇਆ ਤੀਨਿ ਭਵਨ ਇਕ ਜੋਤੀ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵਸਤੁ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਚੁਣਿ ਲੈ ਮਾਣਕ ਮੋਤੀ ॥ ਸਮਝੈ ਸੂਝੈ ਪੜਿ ਪੜਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਅੰਤਿ ਨਿਰੰਤਰਿ ਸਾਚਾ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਦੇਖੈ ਸਾਚੁ ਸਮਾਲੇ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਾਚੇ ਜਗੁ ਕਾਚਾ ॥ 2 ॥ ਧਧੈ ਧਰਮੁ ਧਰੇ ਧਰਮਾ ਪੁਰਿ ਗੁਣਕਾਰੀ ਮਨੁ ਧੀਰਾ ॥ ਧਧੈ ਧੂਲਿ ਪੜੈ ਮੁਖਿ ਮਸਤਕਿ ਕੰਚਨ ਭਏ ਮਨੂਰਾ ॥ ਧਨੁ ਧਰਣੀਧਰੁ ਆਪਿ ਅਜੋਨੀ ਤੋਲਿ ਬੋਲਿ ਸਚੁ ਪੂਰਾ ॥ ਕਰਤੇ ਕੀ ਮਿਤਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਜਾਣੈ ਕੈ ਜਾਣੈ ਗੁਰੁ ਸੂਰਾ ॥ 3 ॥ Raamkalee, First Mehl, Dakhanee, Ongkaar: One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru: From Ongkaar, the One Universal Creator God, Brahma was created. He kept Ongkaar in his consciousness. From Ongkaar, the mountains and the ages were created. Ongkaar created the Vedas. Ongkaar saves the world through the Shabad. Ongkaar saves the Gurmukhs. Listen to the Message of the Universal, Imperishable Creator Lord. The Universal, Imperishable Creator Lord is the essence of the three worlds. || 1 || Listen, O Pandit, O religious scholar, why are you writing about worldly debates? As Gurmukh, write only the Name of the Lord, the Lord of the World. || 1 || Pause || Sassa: He created the entire universe with ease; His One Light pervades the three worlds. Become Gurmukh, and obtain the real thing; gather the gems and pearls. If one understands, realizes and comprehends what he reads and studies, in the end he shall realize that the True Lord dwells deep within his nucleus. The Gurmukh sees and contemplates the True Lord; without the True Lord, the world is false. || 2 || Dhadha: Those who enshrine Dharmic faith and dwell in the City of Dharma are worthy; their minds are steadfast and stable. Dhadha: If the dust of their feet touches one’s face and forehead, he is transformed from iron into gold. Blessed is the Support of the Earth; He Himself is not born; His measure and speech are perfect and True. Only the Creator Himself knows His own extent; He alone knows the Brave Guru.|| 3 || Sohagpur. Guru Nanak’s melodious songs attracted the attention of the inhabitants who used to worship Shani- a god who rides on a vulture and is generally considered “malefic among malefic”. He was much dreaded in the area. All the troubles and calamities are traced to him. The people worship Shani to avoid harm. The Guru advised them not to fear anyone other than God as there was no one stronger than Him in the world. Whatever the God wants to be done, is done. No one can change His Will. All the devas and demons fear Him, so one must worship Him and none else. Guru Nanak went next to Burhanpur. Burhanpur, an old walled town in Khandwa district of Madhaya Pradesh, is one of the banks of Tapti River, four kilometers from Burhanpur railway station on the Delhi-Bhopal-Itarsi-Bombay line. Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh visited Burhanpur. One of Bhai Gurdas’s vars points of the existence of Sikh Sangat here in early seventeenth century. Gurdwara commemorating Guru Nanak’s visit is located on the bank of Rapti River near the grave of Nur Jehan. Later during the eighteenth century, Hathhi Singh son of Mata Sundari’s adopted son Ajit singh lived here. There are now two historical Gurdwaras at Burhanpur. Gurdwara Rajghat Sangat Pahili Patshahi on the river bank dedicated to Guru Nanak Dev is in a single room and is looked after by a Nihang Singh who lives in a similar room close by. Gurdwara Bari Sangat about two furlongs northwest of the walled city is much more flourishing and frequented. It marks the site where Guru Gobind Singh, travelling to the south with the Emperor Bahadur Shah stayed in May-June 1908. Later Hathi Singh made his abode here. This Gurdwara has 16 acres of land attached to it. Guru Granth Sahib is seated on a marble canopied seat in the middle of a spacious rectangular hall with high ceiling. This has gallery at mid height on three sides. Above the hall, over the sanctum, are two floors of square rooms with domed pavilion on top. An old hand written copy of Guru Granth Sahib is preserved in this Gurdwara. Its pages has beautifully drawn border in multicolour. From Burhanpur Guru Nanak entered Maharashtra. Continuing his journey further, the Guru went through Panchmarhi, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Seoni, Balaghat, Tumsar etc. and reached Ramtek, about 24 miles north of Nagpur. References 1 Janamsakhi Meharban, in Janam Sakhi Prampara ed. Dr. Kirpal Singh Janam Sikh Prampra, p.139 2 Giani Gian Singh in Twareekh Guru Khalsa Part 1 Guru 1 (Pub 1892 AD) (reprint Bhasha Vibhag 1970 AD, pp. 148-150) 3. K. K. Lele, in Dikshit, Pārijātamañjarī, p. xxi, n. 1, 4. <a href="http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/35/Betma.html" target="_blank">Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Betma</a>: 5. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http:/www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999" target="_blank">"Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)"</a>. Census Commission of India. 6. Trivedi, Harihar Vitthal (1991), <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=0ybQrQEACAAJ" target="_blank">Inscriptions of the Paramāras, Chandēllas, Kachchapaghātas, and two minor dynasties</a>, Archeological Survey of India, p. 35. K. K. Lele, in Dikshit, Pārijātamañjarī, p. xxi, n. 1, 7. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Madhya_Pradesh_by_population" target="_blank">List of cities in Madhya Pradesh by population</a> 8. <a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/entrepreneurship/how-indores-unique-iit-iim-blend-is-spurring-entrepreneurship/articleshow/48497119.cms" target="_blank">How Indore's unique IIT-IIM blend is spurring entrepreneurship"</a>. 9. <a href="http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/2322_PART_B_DCHB_INDORE.pdf" target="_blank">District Census Handbook, Indore</a> 10 <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160314015213/http:/censusmp.nic.in/censusmp/All-PDF/Workshop%20at%20Admn.Academy%20-%2013%20Nov.%202014/04.%20Urban-data.ppt" target="_blank">Presentation on Towns and Urban Agglomerations"</a>. Census of India 2011. Archived from <a href="http://censusmp.nic.in/censusmp/All-PDF/Workshop%20at%20Admn.Academy%20-%2013%20Nov.%202014/04.%20Urban-data.ppt" target="_blank">the original</a> on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 2016-03-13. 11. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=MTZHXwAACAAJ&dq=Holkar+state&source=bl&ots=MvVMWVghvL&sig=Zoj-fkWYraBTG3ZdlMZ45Lq98N0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=9GJxUL7bJIrsrAeTjIGIDA&ved=0CFMQ6AEwBg" target="_blank">Report on the Administration of Holkar State for 1944 - Indore (India) - Google Books</a>. Books.google.co.in. Retrieved 2014-04-04. 12. <a href="http://www.firstpost.com/business/why-only-98-cities-instead-of-100-announced-all-questions-answered-about-smart-cities-project-2410576.html" target="_blank">Why only 98 cities instead of 100 announced: All questions answered about smart cities project"</a>. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2016. 13. <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/list-of-first-20-smart-cities-under-smart-cities-mission/article8162775.ece" target="_blank">List of first 20 smart cities under Smart Cities Mission"</a>. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hindu" target="_blank">The Hindu</a>. Retrieved February 16, 2016. 14. <a href="http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/swachh-survekshan-2017-cleanest-cities-in-gujarat-madhya-pradesh-and-andhra-pradesh-10-facts-1689497" target="_blank">Swachh Survekshan 2017 cleanest cities</a>. ndtv.com. Retrieved 5 May 2017. 15. Caturvedi, Jyoti. (2006), Shiv Purana (First ed.), New Delhi: Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Standard_Book_Number" target="_blank">ISBN</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/81-7182-721-7" target="_blank">81-7182-721-7</a> <a href="http://omkareshwar.org/omkareshwar-jyotirlinga" target="_blank">Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga</a> </blockquote>

Verification