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Travels of Guru Nanak: A Brief
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<blockquote data-quote="dalvinder45" data-source="post: 225105" data-attributes="member: 26009"><p style="text-align: center"><strong>UTTRAKHAND</strong></p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]22355[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p><strong> Map 11.1 Guru Nanak Dev ji’s travel through Uttrakhand</strong></p><p></p><p> As per verification by this author on ground while walking on the foot prints of Guru Nanak, Guru Nanak’s travels path could be linked as under:</p><p></p><p>Guru Nanak Dev Ji went to Uttrakhand in first and third Udasis. In First Udasi he visited Hardwar from Panipat through Shantershah and from Hardwar he went through Kotdwar, Gendikhata, Najibabad and Haldor, Meerut he reached Delhi. In his third Udasi also knownas Sumer Udasi, he entered Uttrakhnand from Himachal Pradesh through Chakrata and Dehradun he went to Tehri Garhwal, Dhrasu to Uttrakashi, Gangotri and Yamnotri from where he returned and through Pauro Garhwal, Srinagar, Rudarprayag he visited Kedarnath and Badrinath, he crossed over to Mansarovar-Kailash through Manna Pass he crossed over to Kailash-Mansarovar. From Kailash-Mansarovar, he returned along Kali Nadi and reached Pithoragarh. From Pithorigarh, he reached Bageshwar, Almora, Nainital, Haldwani, Kashipur, Nanak Puri Tanda and reached Nanak Matta. From Nanak Matta he went to Reetha Sahib in Champawat District and thereafter, he entered Kohriwala Ghat to go to Ayodhya in Uttra Pradesh.. Details of his first Udasi are given here while of third Udasi are to follow later.</p><p></p><p><strong>SHANTER SHAH</strong></p><p>Shantershah village is located in Roorkee tehsil of Hardwar district in Uttarakhand, India. It is situated 10km away from sub-district headquarter Roorkee (tehsildar office) and 20 km away from district headquarter Hardwar. The total geographical area of village is 312.75 hectares and a total population of 206 peoples in about 22 houses. Pincode of shantershah village locality is 247667. According to Census 2011 information the location code or village code of Shantershah village is 056450.. Roorkee is nearest town to shantershah for all major economic activities, which is approximately 10 km away. It is 2 miles from daultpur village. [1] Guru Nanak visited the village while going to Hardwar. It has a gurdwara Nanak Khada commemorating Guru Nanak’s visit. Gurdwara is in control of Udsi Sadhus. Maharaj (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) is duly placed in snctum sanctorum. Idol of Sri Chad is also worshipped here. The arrangements for food and stay are good and the vistors are looked after well. There is a Nishan Sahib also but withouot Khanda. Gurdwra is quit large and spacious. 5000 acres of land are attached to it. He village with 9000 acres of land is also attached ot the Gurdwara. Government is being paid tax for the land. The 40-50 acres of land in the beighburing villages were purchased by the mahant by using offering to Gurdwara. Roorki is the Post office and Railway station.[2]</p><p></p><p><strong>HARDWAR</strong></p><p>Guru Nanak reached Hardwar , a Hindu center of pilgrimage on the banks of the holy Ganga. from Panipat. 'At Hardwar, he proceeded to Har ki Pauri. People had gathered there in large numbers and were taking bathe in the holy river. There, a crowd of pilgrims led by priests was performing various ceremonies to obtain salvation for their dear departed ones.</p><p></p><p>Guru Nanak Dev Ji observed many people throwing water towards the sun in the east. The Guru had already heard about this meaningless ritual. He, therefore, thought it the right place and the proper time to give correct guidance that those kinds of mindless hollow rituals have no value. He moved forward, stood facing the priests and began to offer water with his left hand towards the west. At this strange reaction, attention of all others around was diverted towards Guru Nanak.</p><p></p><p>One of the priests came forward and said, "O ignorant one! What are you doing? Come, I well help you to do what is right."</p><p></p><p>"Is it so difficult? I am doing just what you were doing", replied the Guru and continued offering water towards the west.</p><p>"We are offering water to the sun for our departed souls", said the priest," to quench their thirst."</p><p>"Then I am offering water to my drying crops and lands in Punjab", said the Guru.</p><p>The priest laughed and said, "How can you do that?" The Guru paused as a crowd gathered around to watch the scene. The Guru then asked, "How far are your ancestors?"</p><p>"Forty nine crores kos", the priest replied. "My place is five hundred kos only ", Guru Nanak remarked promptly, "If your water can reach crores of kos, then why can't my water reach five hundred kos?"</p><p>Priest had no reply. Guru Nanak further said, "You want to send water to those who have no thirst as they are beyond it. My fields require water badly." The people became silent and started thinking over the reply that was given by the Guru. They had no logical argument to challenge his statement. This made the people think about the worthlessness of their ritual and understood the gimmicks of the priests.</p><p>.[ATTACH=full]22354[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong> Photo 11.1. Guru Nanak "watering" his crops in Punjab Courtesy Sikh Missionary Society U.K.</strong></p><p>Guru Nanak Dev Ji came out of the river and the crowd followed him. The Guru calmly told them the truth and explained that hollow rituals do not have any religious value. They should love respect and take care of their people, friends and religions when they are alive rather then perform these useless rituals afterwards. When people die, they do not need anything from us and neither can we send them anything after they have left this world. After death, people get what they have given to the needy, out of their honest earnings, while living on this earth.</p><p></p><p>He said "A man may perform lip recitations, austerities, and self restraint and dwell at places of pilgrimage. He may give donations and alms and do other good deeds, but it is useless, if His Name does not dwell in the heart".</p><p></p><p>Guru Nanak then went to camping area. 'There he was invited by the priests for meals. They did special cleaning of the area by plastering the place with mud, drawing a line around.</p><p></p><p>Guru Nanak asked Mardana to cook the meals. When Mardana went to take fire from the pandits they fell upon him. The story is well described in verse.</p><p></p><p>'And here again, at Hardwar's fair and nook,</p><p></p><p>Nanak asked Mardana, to fetch fire to cook.</p><p></p><p>The orthodox around when his pots were touched. He fell upon Mardana, saying, "I will bring you to book".</p><p></p><p>Nanak thought and very gently so said,</p><p>"Evil and hatred are in his heart and head.</p><p>Purity lies in inner-self not fire and pots.</p><p>Divinity resides not in object but soul instead".</p><p>The Guru explained to the pandits:-</p><p></p><p>'There is no impurity in the different phases of the moon and the sun. There is no impurity in music nor there any impurity in Vedas. There is no impurity in the rain; there is no impurity in water. No impurity is contained in the air either, says Nanak, there is no virtue in the man, without the Guru. If he turns his face away from Guru’s teeachings, the mouth is defiled then,".</p><p></p><p>Guru Nanak explained further "Evil intellect is the she-drummer, heartlessness, the butcheress, slanderer the hear, the sweeperess and deceitful wart a pirate woman. What for do you draw lines around, if all these four are seated with you? Make righteousness thy obstenance, pious way of life thy lines and Lord's Name thy ablution. Nanak says, these only shall be exquisite who do not tread the path of sin."</p><p></p><p>Guru Nanak described the limitless powers of the Lord. All meditation, all study of Vedas and Puranas, all thy deeds, all penances, all songs and all wisdoms, all intellects, all ingenuities, all religious places, all rules, all authority, all joys and all all of them, are moved by the Lord according to His will and His pen directs our deeds. Nanak says, true is the Lord. True is his Name. True is His congregation and true is His Court'.</p><p></p><p>Some of the people had come to Hardwar to throw the remains of their dead into Ganga. Priests dragged them too in worthless rituals like that of throwing water back to the river in the name of their dear ones; Guru Nanak did not approve of this and said. "Water taken for sipping is worth if the real worth of the water itself is known. For the wise man the sipping is of true knowledge and for the yogi it is of chastity; for the Brahman it is of contentment, and for the householder, it is of truth and charity; for the kingship, it is of justice and for the learned man it is of concentration. Water does not wash the heart, but quenches thirst. The water is the creator as well as the destroyer."</p><p></p><p>He saw a few men in sad mood after disposal of the remains of their dead. Guru Nanak calmed them saying, ''Nanak says the world is of ash colour and becomes ash at its end. All earning from this becomes ash too. The body dealing with ash becomes ash. When the soul is taken out of the body, only ash remains. After his death when mortal is asked the account of his deeds the resultant is ash and gets ten times the ash in return."</p><p></p><p>As they mourned in sorrow and showed signs of pain, Guru Nanak solaced them saying, "A man is born and dies in pain and he lives in pain. Pain over-pain is suffering of human beings. The more one tries to know about the pain, the more he wails. The pain pocket is loose, out of which no happiness emerges. A man is burnt after pain they come into life again with happiness, with the fire in pain, the mortals are scorched to death, but it is the pain alone which cures all ills."</p><p></p><p>During his stay at Hardwar fair, Guru Nanak Dev Ji preached against superstitions, false rituals, worship of demi-gods and goddesses. He stressed that only One God, the Formless, is to be glorified. In this way, he showed the path of truth and enlightenment.</p><p></p><p>Commemorating Guru Nanak’s visit to Hardwar, there used to be two Gurdwaras;Gyan Godri on the bank of River Ganga and Gurdwara Nanak bari just a few yards towar ds the city which this writer visted number of times earlier. [3][4][5][6][7]</p><p></p><p><strong>GURDWARA GYAN GODRI HARDWAR</strong></p><p>[ATTACH=full]22353[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]22356[/ATTACH]</p><p style="text-align: center"><strong>Photos 11.2 and 11.3 Gurdwara Gyan Godri Hardwar</strong></p><p></p><p>Gurdwara Gyan Godri (Treasure of Knowledge), located in Haridwar Uttarkhand, at the spot where Guru Nanak is said to have visited by Guru Nanak during his travels in 1504 as per Janamsakhis (biographies). Historical site of Gurdwara was at the banks of River Ganga. Gurdwara Gyan Godri Sahib was constructed where Guru Sahib had rejected the superstitious rituals and talked about omnipresent God. Gurdwara Gyan Godri was constructed at Ganga Ghat to commemorate his visit. Raja Narinder Singh of Landhaura State and owner of Landhaura House donated the premises to Gurudwara Gyan Godri in 1880. [3][4][5][6][7]</p><p></p><p>Dhanna Singh Chehal visited this place on 01 June 1931 [8]. He writes: “The Gurdwara is on the bank of Ganga River at Hark i Pauri Platform. It is well known as Gurdwara Gyan Godri. Langar is distributed two times a day. Assa di Vaar is recited in the morning. In the evening there is a congregation gathering daily. There is no land attached to the Gurdwara. It appears that attached land is grbbed by someone. The financial condition of the Gurdwara only enough for day to day business. No stay arrangements can be done in this Gurdwara because the place is very narrow. Now the Gurdwara is in control of a Rani and its case is in her court. Arrangements for day to day are done by the Government. Gurdwara is being run by Nirmala saints. Man Singh is the mahant. Gurdwara Parkash asthan and Langar are in the same room. Mahant gives Rs 2000 as rent to the Rani through the Government. This rent has been increased due to conflict between Udasis and Nirmalas. The land of the Gurdwara is thus taken on rent. Nirmala saints say that Gurdwara Gyan Godri commemorates the place where Guru Nanak stopped the ritual of watering the sun. Udasis repeat the same story as explained before..</p><p></p><p>After a Kumbh Mela stampede in 1966, Haridwar administration acquired Landhaura House to widen Har Ki Pauri and demolished a part of the gurdwara as part of a beautification & development effort. Later there was forcible destruction of the gurdwara premises during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. As of today the gurdwara building is no longer in existence. In its place, an office for the Scouts and Guides have been constructed by the state Government and a hotel have come up in a portion of the Gurdwara as witnessed by this author. A few yards away from this place, a private gurdwara building has been allowed in a small room where the Guru Granth is insalled. The remainder is a market. It was apparently destroyed in 1979 and Sikhs were not allowed to reconstruct it. The Sangat is trying ever since for the restoration of the Guru’s house. The same space is now occupied by an office of Scouts and Guides.</p><p> [ATTACH=full]22351[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Photo 11.4. Office of Scouts and Guards Hardwar at Ganga Ghat in place of Gurdwra Gyan Godri</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>GURDWARA PEHLI PATSHAHI NANAKWARA, HARDWAAR</strong></p><p>[ATTACH=full]22352[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]22357[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong> <strong>Photo 11.5. and 11.6 Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi Nanakwara, Hardwar</strong></strong></p><p></p><p> Another ancient gurdwara called Gurdwara Nanakwara, located 200 metres away was converted into Hindu Mandir. Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi Nanakwara was visited by Sardar Dhanna singh Chehal on 1 June 1931 [9] He wrote in his diary about this Gurdwara: “Gurudwara, famous by the name of Gurwara Nanakwara is in the control of Udasi saints. Maharaj (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) is installed here but langar facility is not abvailale. There are many rooms for staying; most of them ar e given on rent. It is difficult to dtay here without money. Where Maharaj Ji (SGGS) is placed, there is an idol of Babaji (Guru Nanak Dev ji) which is being worshipped a lot. This Gurdwara is on the bank of the river in the city which is close to Kushawarat Ghat and is near the bus stop about 40 karam from the Bus stop. This route is through a narrow street. Mahant Inder Singh has been looking after this place on the instructi on of Udasi saints. It is stated that Guru Nanak stayed at this place before he went to Ghat. [9]</p><p></p><p>There is another Gurdwara at Kankhal commemorating Guru Nanak. Guru Amardas Ji also visited the place hence known as gurdwara kankhal sahib popularly known as Gurdwara Guru Amardas Ji. There is another Gurdwara begtween Hardwar, Jawalaji and Kankhal commemorating Guru Gobind Singh’s visit to the place. It has a well of Guru Period and a Manji sahib covered with a cemented canopy which has the painting of a foot. The well has some writings in Sanskrit. Name of Nawab kapur Singh can be read out of the writing since he got this well repaired.[9] There are thus four historic Gurdwaras and many other gurdwaras including Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Hardwar.[10]</p><p></p><p>About 50 years ago when this writer first visited Gurdwara Nanakwara commemorating Guru Nanak’s stay at the place was controlled by an Udasi saint. This author spoke to him about the Gurdwara. The udasi Saint being an old person, was feeling weak hence requested that Sikhs must take over the Gurdwara. We agreed to meet SGPC authorities at Sri Amritsar and for take over of the Gurdwra by SGPC.However when this author along with the udasi saint contacted SGPC authorities they dillydallied and the Gurdwars could not be taken over. Later, when this author visited this gurdwara along with Turban Traveller, we found Gurdwara nanak bara converted into a Hindu Temple.. We questioned the occupants about the conversion but they were very agessive. To avoid a fight, we made a video of those who had converted it into a Hindu Mandir and circulated this video. Our live discussions with the illegal occupants of the Gurdwara had apeared on PTC and Simran Channels. However, nothing more could be done to restore the gurdwara so far.</p><p></p><p>Guru Nanak is also stated to have visited Kankhal but there is no imprint visible at this time at the place. Hwever there is a Gurdwara commemorating Guru Amar Das’s cisit to the place.</p><p></p><p><strong>GURDWARA SRI GURU AMAR DAS (AT KANKHAL NEAR SATI GHAT) – HARIDWAR</strong></p><p></p><p> The famous Hindu pilgrimage centre on the banks of Ganga River (the Ganges) was visited by several Gurus at different times, but the only historical Sikh shrine is the Gurdwara at Kankhal near Sati Ghat, three km south of Haridwar. It is dedicated to Guru Amar Das and is managed by Nirmala Sikhs</p><p></p><p><strong>[ATTACH=full]22344[/ATTACH]</strong></p><p style="text-align: center"><strong><strong>Photo 11.7. Gurdwara Sri Amar Das Ji Hardwar</strong></strong></p><p></p><p> <strong><strong>GURDWARA KOTDWAR, UP</strong></strong></p><p>[ATTACH=full]22345[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]22346[/ATTACH]</p><p style="text-align: center"><strong>Photos 11.8 and 11.9 Gurdwara Guru Nanak Singh Sabha Kotdwar UP</strong></p><p></p><p>Kotdwar is a tehsil in Pauri Garhwal district in Indian state of Uttarakhand. Its old name was KhohDwar, which means the gateway of the river Khoh. After a fort constructed around it was named as Kotdwar. It is located on the bank of river Khoh.. It is situated in the south-western part of state and is one of the main entrance points in the state of Uttarakhand. Kotdwar Railway station, established in 1890 by the Britishers is one of the oldest railway stations of the country. Being the gateway of Himalayan Region, Kotdwar rail route was used for timber transportation from Himalayan Region. First Passenger train ran in the year 1901.Kotdwar is famous for its several temples like the Sidhbali mandir which is situated at a distance of 2kms from Kotdwar. Sidhbali mandir is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is visited by hundreds of believers all round the year. For Sikh pilgrims visiting the town, the holy bliss of gurudwara sahib ji can prove to be a perfect destination as it is blessed by Guru Nanak.[11] The climate of Kotdwar is generally temperate, although it varies from tropical; from hot in summers to severely cold.</p><p></p><p><strong>GENDIKHATHA</strong></p><p><strong>[ATTACH=full]22347[/ATTACH]</strong></p><p style="text-align: center"><strong>Photo 11.10. Gurdwara Baoli Sahib, Gendikhata</strong></p><p></p><p>This is another established gurudwara in Gaindi Khata village that is 20 km from Haridwar (Uttarakhand). In 1508, Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji came to this place after visiting Nanakmatta, Kashipur, Kotdwar and Naziabad during the month of July-August. Guru Nanak Ji spent more than 3 months offering meditation here. Guru Nanak Ji presented a gift of Amrit in the form of a Baoli Sahib to the local Sangat. Even today pilgrims enjoy the water of the Baoli Sahib.</p><p>Gurudwara Sant Sagar Baoli Sahib is situated in the Village Gendikhatha, Distt Haridwar, Uttarakhand 20 km from Haridwar on Nazibabad Road. Guru Nanak Dev Ji came here after visiting Hardwar. From here he proceeded to Najibabad, Kotdwar and Meerut on his way to Delhi. Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent 3 months nd 13 days while doing meditation at gendikhata as told by the President of the Gurdwara. During these days Guru Nanak Dev Ji presented a gift of Amrit in the form of Bauli Sahib to the local people who even enjoy this blessings in the water of this Bauli Sahib. Gurudwara Sahib is situated on the Haridwar-Najibabad Road at the Bridge Toll Barrier. Dera pf It was also told that nearby on the banks of Ganga, a dera of Baba Sri Chand also existed. As we visited the Dera of baba Sri Chand, we were told that Guru nanak had v isited that place also, However, this could not be corrobated with any evidence.</p><p></p><p>According to Gyani Gian Singh and Dr Surinder Singh Kohli from Hardwar Guru Nanak returned towards Delhi via Kotdwar, Najibabad and Anupshahar in Uttarpradesh and Panipat in Haryana. There is a Gurdwara Charan Padka at Kotdwar to commemorate Guru Nanak’s visit. At Haldor in Bijnor district, there is a platform in the memory of the Guru. It is known as ‘Babe Nanak di Dheri’. The Sikhs have erected a Gurdwara near it. [12]</p><p></p><p><strong>NAJIBABAD</strong></p><p><strong>[ATTACH=full]22348[/ATTACH]</strong></p><p style="text-align: center"><strong>Photo 11.11. Gurdwara Guru Nanak Shahi Singh Sabha, Najibabad</strong></p><p></p><p> Guru Nanak visited Najibabad from Kotdwar. The sewadar is a Bijnauri Sikh Sant Singh who does hard labour to earn his labour but does free service to the Gurdwara. He alo caters for food and lodging for the visitors from his own income. The land attached with the gurdwra has been cnsfiscat4ed by th Muslims. Gurwara in itself has no income. Bijnaur is the tehsil and district. [14]</p><p></p><p><strong>HALDOR</strong></p><p><strong>[ATTACH=full]22349[/ATTACH]</strong></p><p style="text-align: center"><strong>Photo 11.12. Gurdwara Guru Nanak Baag Haldor</strong></p><p></p><p>From Najibabad Guru Nanak passed through Bijnore district. This district has about 22 villages of Bijnori Sikhs with 27 Singh Sabha Gurdwaras. These villages include Nakirpu, Paijnia, Khaspura, Rauh Nagli, Noorpur, Haldor etc. We were informed that Guru Nanak had stayed at Haldor in this district. Before we could reach Haldor, Sikhs from number of villages gathered on the route to welcome us. This was quite a touching scene since some old ladies even went as far as touching the feet of the team members. We reached at about 3.30 PM at Haldor. About 100 people from the village had gathered. The new Gurdwara Guru Nanak Baag Haldor building was constructed by Baba Bachan Singh Kar Sewa Wale. We were offered tea and samosas by the local sangat. The Bijnori Sikhs are better off than Sikligar and Wanjara Sikhs but education wise they too are comparatively disadvantaged from the local population. They requested for some Sikh college in the area so that their wards become employable in Government jobs. As I enquired from number of youth of the community, none of them was educated more than 12th class. Hoeever, they had started their own business and in this self employment most of them were earning around Rs 40,000 per month. It showed that the self-employed are relatively well off. Their business acumen appeared to be quite good.</p><p></p><p>History of Gurdwara Guru Nanak Baag Haldor as heard from the sangat, and as shown on the board states that ‘Guru Nanak came here in the garden bagichi in the pashuwada of the king Kanwal Nain. He gave discourses to the visiting people on One God of all, common brotherhood, equality among all and love for humanity. The king came to know from the people about Guru Nanak and visited him. He held discussions with the Guru and was much impressed by Guru Nanak’s discourses and requested him to stay. People projected the problem of water. Guru Nanak dug the earth and the water sprung. All the people were pleased and they became Guru Nanak’s followers. A small garden was the reminiscent of the event. When I asked about the well, they showed me the place where the well existed but it was closed by the management since it became disused over a time. I requested them to restore the well since it is the evidence of Guru Nanak’s travel to the place.</p><p></p><p>We were told that Haldor is a Municipal Locality. They were brought in this area by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. There is likely hood that this area fell under Jathedar Baghail Singh who ruled the Khatauli principality. He captured this area and settled the Sikhs from Punjab, primarily from Hoshiarpur and Amritsar. They have now 22 villages and 27 Gurdwaras, some villages having two Gurdwaras. Haldor and Najababad are the two historical Gurdwaras in their area. Both of these commemorate Guru Nanak’s visit to the area.</p><p></p><p>It was getting late and we took leave from the sangat whose number swelled gradually. Our aim was to reach Najibabad tonight or alternatively Kashipur but the Sangat gathered all along the route had to be attended to. These were the villages of Sikhs and every one wanted us to go to their Gurdwara. We went to Noorpur Gurdwara which had a large gathering. The entire programme was video-graphed hence it took time for us to finish with the programme. It became too late by then hence at Noorpur our staying arrangements were made at a hotel belonging to a Sikh. Our dinner was arranged by a Sikh family which was too tasty. Night stay was quite comfortable.</p><p></p><p><strong> MEERUT</strong></p><p><strong>[ATTACH=full]22350[/ATTACH]</strong></p><p style="text-align: center"><strong>Photo 11.13. Gurdwara Guru Nanak Meerut</strong></p><p></p><p>Our visit and stay agt Meerut has been quit memorable. I have read Dhanna Singh Chehal’s book Gur Tirath Cycle Yatra. He had visited Meerut on 26 March 1931 and writes about Guru Nanak’s visit to Meerut as follows: “Gurdwara Guru Nanak is one mile towards east on the Suraj Kund Sarovar. It was cosfrucred about 2-3- years ago (around 1900AD). A stone was found down under the place which had the name of Guru Nanak written on it. This stone was however lost aftere some time. Khanda Sahib was attached to the Nishan Sahib earlier but now the feathers of pea{censored}s are hung. The Gurdwara is under the control of Udasi saints. The Mahant is Sant Ram udasi who is not of god character and was jailed for 2 years for selling women. He is now out of prison. Gurdwara does not get much income; it is only of offerings. There are two Maharaj (copies of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. He has one follower to look after to him and a lady for cooking. She is known as lambardrni. Number o people visit the Gurdwara hese days.</p><p></p><p>Gorakh Nath came to this place wth a begging bowl. He was presented with half loaf and saag on it. Gorakh nath insisted for full loaf and threatened that if full loaf is not given he will burn the city. The women said,” Take half loadf and go off from here. Don’t threaten me. If you has such occult powers to burn the city then burn the city; I care two hoots. Guru Nanak is stated to be around then. When he came to know that Gorakh Nath is about to burn the city for a loaf, he mollified Gorakh Nath by relieving of the hunger. [14 ]</p><p></p><p><strong>References</strong></p><p></p><p>1. <a href="https://villageinfo.in/uttarakhand/hardwar/roorkee/shantershah.html" target="_blank">Shantershah Village in Roorkee (Hardwar) Uttarakhand | villageinfo.in</a></p><p>2. Dhanna Singh Chehal, Gur Tirth Cycle Yatra (11 March 1930 to 26 June 1934) edited by Chetan Singh Publishers European Panjabi Sath, Walsall, U.K. 2016, p.153-154</p><p>3. Kirpal Singh (Dr.) Janam Sakhi Prampra, Punjabi University, Patiala, 1969, p.84</p><p>4. Surinder Singh Kohli (Dr.) Travels of Guru Nanak, Punjabi University, Chandigarh, 1978, p. 96</p><p>5 Gyani Lal Singh Sangrur, Guru Khalsa Twareekh, Lahore Book Shop, 1940 (3rd edn 1955), p.93</p><p>6 Dr. Surinder Singh Kohli p.96</p><p>7 Sujan Rai Bhandari, Khulast-ut-Twareekh, (Panjabi Translation) Punjabi University Patiala, 1972, p54-55</p><p>8. Dhanna Singh Chehal, Gur Tirth Cycle Yatra (11 March 1930 to 26 June 1934) edited by Chetan Singh Publishers European Panjabi Sath, Walsall, U.K. 2016, p.155</p><p>9. Op Cit.</p><p>10. Dhanna Singh Chehal, Gur Tirth Cycle Yatra (11 March 1930 to 26 June 1934) edited by Chetan Singh Publishers European Panjabi Sath, Walsall, U.K. 2016, pp. 155-156</p><p>11. Dhanna Singh Chehal, p.149</p><p>12. Travels of Guru Nanak, p.25-26</p><p>13. Dhanna Singh Chehal, Gur Tirth Cycle Yatra (11 March 1930 to 26 June 1934) edited by Chetan Singh Publishers European Panjabi Sath, Walsall, U.K. 2016, p.152</p><p>14. Dhanna Singh Chehal, Gur Tirth Cycle Yatra (11 March 1930 to 26 June 1934) edited by Chetan Singh Publishers European Panjabi Sath, Walsall, U.K. 2016, p.155</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="dalvinder45, post: 225105, member: 26009"] [CENTER][B]UTTRAKHAND[/B][/CENTER] [ATTACH type="full" alt="1706143064887.png"]22355[/ATTACH] [B] Map 11.1 Guru Nanak Dev ji’s travel through Uttrakhand[/B] As per verification by this author on ground while walking on the foot prints of Guru Nanak, Guru Nanak’s travels path could be linked as under: Guru Nanak Dev Ji went to Uttrakhand in first and third Udasis. In First Udasi he visited Hardwar from Panipat through Shantershah and from Hardwar he went through Kotdwar, Gendikhata, Najibabad and Haldor, Meerut he reached Delhi. In his third Udasi also knownas Sumer Udasi, he entered Uttrakhnand from Himachal Pradesh through Chakrata and Dehradun he went to Tehri Garhwal, Dhrasu to Uttrakashi, Gangotri and Yamnotri from where he returned and through Pauro Garhwal, Srinagar, Rudarprayag he visited Kedarnath and Badrinath, he crossed over to Mansarovar-Kailash through Manna Pass he crossed over to Kailash-Mansarovar. From Kailash-Mansarovar, he returned along Kali Nadi and reached Pithoragarh. From Pithorigarh, he reached Bageshwar, Almora, Nainital, Haldwani, Kashipur, Nanak Puri Tanda and reached Nanak Matta. From Nanak Matta he went to Reetha Sahib in Champawat District and thereafter, he entered Kohriwala Ghat to go to Ayodhya in Uttra Pradesh.. Details of his first Udasi are given here while of third Udasi are to follow later. [B]SHANTER SHAH[/B] Shantershah village is located in Roorkee tehsil of Hardwar district in Uttarakhand, India. It is situated 10km away from sub-district headquarter Roorkee (tehsildar office) and 20 km away from district headquarter Hardwar. The total geographical area of village is 312.75 hectares and a total population of 206 peoples in about 22 houses. Pincode of shantershah village locality is 247667. According to Census 2011 information the location code or village code of Shantershah village is 056450.. Roorkee is nearest town to shantershah for all major economic activities, which is approximately 10 km away. It is 2 miles from daultpur village. [1] Guru Nanak visited the village while going to Hardwar. It has a gurdwara Nanak Khada commemorating Guru Nanak’s visit. Gurdwara is in control of Udsi Sadhus. Maharaj (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) is duly placed in snctum sanctorum. Idol of Sri Chad is also worshipped here. The arrangements for food and stay are good and the vistors are looked after well. There is a Nishan Sahib also but withouot Khanda. Gurdwra is quit large and spacious. 5000 acres of land are attached to it. He village with 9000 acres of land is also attached ot the Gurdwara. Government is being paid tax for the land. The 40-50 acres of land in the beighburing villages were purchased by the mahant by using offering to Gurdwara. Roorki is the Post office and Railway station.[2] [B]HARDWAR[/B] Guru Nanak reached Hardwar , a Hindu center of pilgrimage on the banks of the holy Ganga. from Panipat. 'At Hardwar, he proceeded to Har ki Pauri. People had gathered there in large numbers and were taking bathe in the holy river. There, a crowd of pilgrims led by priests was performing various ceremonies to obtain salvation for their dear departed ones. Guru Nanak Dev Ji observed many people throwing water towards the sun in the east. The Guru had already heard about this meaningless ritual. He, therefore, thought it the right place and the proper time to give correct guidance that those kinds of mindless hollow rituals have no value. He moved forward, stood facing the priests and began to offer water with his left hand towards the west. At this strange reaction, attention of all others around was diverted towards Guru Nanak. One of the priests came forward and said, "O ignorant one! What are you doing? Come, I well help you to do what is right." "Is it so difficult? I am doing just what you were doing", replied the Guru and continued offering water towards the west. "We are offering water to the sun for our departed souls", said the priest," to quench their thirst." "Then I am offering water to my drying crops and lands in Punjab", said the Guru. The priest laughed and said, "How can you do that?" The Guru paused as a crowd gathered around to watch the scene. The Guru then asked, "How far are your ancestors?" "Forty nine crores kos", the priest replied. "My place is five hundred kos only ", Guru Nanak remarked promptly, "If your water can reach crores of kos, then why can't my water reach five hundred kos?" Priest had no reply. Guru Nanak further said, "You want to send water to those who have no thirst as they are beyond it. My fields require water badly." The people became silent and started thinking over the reply that was given by the Guru. They had no logical argument to challenge his statement. This made the people think about the worthlessness of their ritual and understood the gimmicks of the priests. .[ATTACH type="full" alt="1706142952790.png"]22354[/ATTACH] [B] Photo 11.1. Guru Nanak "watering" his crops in Punjab Courtesy Sikh Missionary Society U.K.[/B] Guru Nanak Dev Ji came out of the river and the crowd followed him. The Guru calmly told them the truth and explained that hollow rituals do not have any religious value. They should love respect and take care of their people, friends and religions when they are alive rather then perform these useless rituals afterwards. When people die, they do not need anything from us and neither can we send them anything after they have left this world. After death, people get what they have given to the needy, out of their honest earnings, while living on this earth. He said "A man may perform lip recitations, austerities, and self restraint and dwell at places of pilgrimage. He may give donations and alms and do other good deeds, but it is useless, if His Name does not dwell in the heart". Guru Nanak then went to camping area. 'There he was invited by the priests for meals. They did special cleaning of the area by plastering the place with mud, drawing a line around. Guru Nanak asked Mardana to cook the meals. When Mardana went to take fire from the pandits they fell upon him. The story is well described in verse. 'And here again, at Hardwar's fair and nook, Nanak asked Mardana, to fetch fire to cook. The orthodox around when his pots were touched. He fell upon Mardana, saying, "I will bring you to book". Nanak thought and very gently so said, "Evil and hatred are in his heart and head. Purity lies in inner-self not fire and pots. Divinity resides not in object but soul instead". The Guru explained to the pandits:- 'There is no impurity in the different phases of the moon and the sun. There is no impurity in music nor there any impurity in Vedas. There is no impurity in the rain; there is no impurity in water. No impurity is contained in the air either, says Nanak, there is no virtue in the man, without the Guru. If he turns his face away from Guru’s teeachings, the mouth is defiled then,". Guru Nanak explained further "Evil intellect is the she-drummer, heartlessness, the butcheress, slanderer the hear, the sweeperess and deceitful wart a pirate woman. What for do you draw lines around, if all these four are seated with you? Make righteousness thy obstenance, pious way of life thy lines and Lord's Name thy ablution. Nanak says, these only shall be exquisite who do not tread the path of sin." Guru Nanak described the limitless powers of the Lord. All meditation, all study of Vedas and Puranas, all thy deeds, all penances, all songs and all wisdoms, all intellects, all ingenuities, all religious places, all rules, all authority, all joys and all all of them, are moved by the Lord according to His will and His pen directs our deeds. Nanak says, true is the Lord. True is his Name. True is His congregation and true is His Court'. Some of the people had come to Hardwar to throw the remains of their dead into Ganga. Priests dragged them too in worthless rituals like that of throwing water back to the river in the name of their dear ones; Guru Nanak did not approve of this and said. "Water taken for sipping is worth if the real worth of the water itself is known. For the wise man the sipping is of true knowledge and for the yogi it is of chastity; for the Brahman it is of contentment, and for the householder, it is of truth and charity; for the kingship, it is of justice and for the learned man it is of concentration. Water does not wash the heart, but quenches thirst. The water is the creator as well as the destroyer." He saw a few men in sad mood after disposal of the remains of their dead. Guru Nanak calmed them saying, ''Nanak says the world is of ash colour and becomes ash at its end. All earning from this becomes ash too. The body dealing with ash becomes ash. When the soul is taken out of the body, only ash remains. After his death when mortal is asked the account of his deeds the resultant is ash and gets ten times the ash in return." As they mourned in sorrow and showed signs of pain, Guru Nanak solaced them saying, "A man is born and dies in pain and he lives in pain. Pain over-pain is suffering of human beings. The more one tries to know about the pain, the more he wails. The pain pocket is loose, out of which no happiness emerges. A man is burnt after pain they come into life again with happiness, with the fire in pain, the mortals are scorched to death, but it is the pain alone which cures all ills." During his stay at Hardwar fair, Guru Nanak Dev Ji preached against superstitions, false rituals, worship of demi-gods and goddesses. He stressed that only One God, the Formless, is to be glorified. In this way, he showed the path of truth and enlightenment. Commemorating Guru Nanak’s visit to Hardwar, there used to be two Gurdwaras;Gyan Godri on the bank of River Ganga and Gurdwara Nanak bari just a few yards towar ds the city which this writer visted number of times earlier. [3][4][5][6][7] [B]GURDWARA GYAN GODRI HARDWAR[/B] [ATTACH type="full" width="373px" alt="1706142812768.png"]22353[/ATTACH][ATTACH type="full" width="307px" alt="1706143116174.png"]22356[/ATTACH] [CENTER][B]Photos 11.2 and 11.3 Gurdwara Gyan Godri Hardwar[/B][/CENTER] Gurdwara Gyan Godri (Treasure of Knowledge), located in Haridwar Uttarkhand, at the spot where Guru Nanak is said to have visited by Guru Nanak during his travels in 1504 as per Janamsakhis (biographies). Historical site of Gurdwara was at the banks of River Ganga. Gurdwara Gyan Godri Sahib was constructed where Guru Sahib had rejected the superstitious rituals and talked about omnipresent God. Gurdwara Gyan Godri was constructed at Ganga Ghat to commemorate his visit. Raja Narinder Singh of Landhaura State and owner of Landhaura House donated the premises to Gurudwara Gyan Godri in 1880. [3][4][5][6][7] Dhanna Singh Chehal visited this place on 01 June 1931 [8]. He writes: “The Gurdwara is on the bank of Ganga River at Hark i Pauri Platform. It is well known as Gurdwara Gyan Godri. Langar is distributed two times a day. Assa di Vaar is recited in the morning. In the evening there is a congregation gathering daily. There is no land attached to the Gurdwara. It appears that attached land is grbbed by someone. The financial condition of the Gurdwara only enough for day to day business. No stay arrangements can be done in this Gurdwara because the place is very narrow. Now the Gurdwara is in control of a Rani and its case is in her court. Arrangements for day to day are done by the Government. Gurdwara is being run by Nirmala saints. Man Singh is the mahant. Gurdwara Parkash asthan and Langar are in the same room. Mahant gives Rs 2000 as rent to the Rani through the Government. This rent has been increased due to conflict between Udasis and Nirmalas. The land of the Gurdwara is thus taken on rent. Nirmala saints say that Gurdwara Gyan Godri commemorates the place where Guru Nanak stopped the ritual of watering the sun. Udasis repeat the same story as explained before.. After a Kumbh Mela stampede in 1966, Haridwar administration acquired Landhaura House to widen Har Ki Pauri and demolished a part of the gurdwara as part of a beautification & development effort. Later there was forcible destruction of the gurdwara premises during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. As of today the gurdwara building is no longer in existence. In its place, an office for the Scouts and Guides have been constructed by the state Government and a hotel have come up in a portion of the Gurdwara as witnessed by this author. A few yards away from this place, a private gurdwara building has been allowed in a small room where the Guru Granth is insalled. The remainder is a market. It was apparently destroyed in 1979 and Sikhs were not allowed to reconstruct it. The Sangat is trying ever since for the restoration of the Guru’s house. The same space is now occupied by an office of Scouts and Guides. [ATTACH type="full" alt="1706142667464.png"]22351[/ATTACH] [B]Photo 11.4. Office of Scouts and Guards Hardwar at Ganga Ghat in place of Gurdwra Gyan Godri GURDWARA PEHLI PATSHAHI NANAKWARA, HARDWAAR[/B] [ATTACH type="full" width="403px" alt="1706142701359.png"]22352[/ATTACH][ATTACH type="full" width="244px" alt="1706143207459.png"]22357[/ATTACH] [B] [B]Photo 11.5. and 11.6 Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi Nanakwara, Hardwar[/B][/B] Another ancient gurdwara called Gurdwara Nanakwara, located 200 metres away was converted into Hindu Mandir. Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi Nanakwara was visited by Sardar Dhanna singh Chehal on 1 June 1931 [9] He wrote in his diary about this Gurdwara: “Gurudwara, famous by the name of Gurwara Nanakwara is in the control of Udasi saints. Maharaj (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) is installed here but langar facility is not abvailale. There are many rooms for staying; most of them ar e given on rent. It is difficult to dtay here without money. Where Maharaj Ji (SGGS) is placed, there is an idol of Babaji (Guru Nanak Dev ji) which is being worshipped a lot. This Gurdwara is on the bank of the river in the city which is close to Kushawarat Ghat and is near the bus stop about 40 karam from the Bus stop. This route is through a narrow street. Mahant Inder Singh has been looking after this place on the instructi on of Udasi saints. It is stated that Guru Nanak stayed at this place before he went to Ghat. [9] There is another Gurdwara at Kankhal commemorating Guru Nanak. Guru Amardas Ji also visited the place hence known as gurdwara kankhal sahib popularly known as Gurdwara Guru Amardas Ji. There is another Gurdwara begtween Hardwar, Jawalaji and Kankhal commemorating Guru Gobind Singh’s visit to the place. It has a well of Guru Period and a Manji sahib covered with a cemented canopy which has the painting of a foot. The well has some writings in Sanskrit. Name of Nawab kapur Singh can be read out of the writing since he got this well repaired.[9] There are thus four historic Gurdwaras and many other gurdwaras including Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Hardwar.[10] About 50 years ago when this writer first visited Gurdwara Nanakwara commemorating Guru Nanak’s stay at the place was controlled by an Udasi saint. This author spoke to him about the Gurdwara. The udasi Saint being an old person, was feeling weak hence requested that Sikhs must take over the Gurdwara. We agreed to meet SGPC authorities at Sri Amritsar and for take over of the Gurdwra by SGPC.However when this author along with the udasi saint contacted SGPC authorities they dillydallied and the Gurdwars could not be taken over. Later, when this author visited this gurdwara along with Turban Traveller, we found Gurdwara nanak bara converted into a Hindu Temple.. We questioned the occupants about the conversion but they were very agessive. To avoid a fight, we made a video of those who had converted it into a Hindu Mandir and circulated this video. Our live discussions with the illegal occupants of the Gurdwara had apeared on PTC and Simran Channels. However, nothing more could be done to restore the gurdwara so far. Guru Nanak is also stated to have visited Kankhal but there is no imprint visible at this time at the place. Hwever there is a Gurdwara commemorating Guru Amar Das’s cisit to the place. [B]GURDWARA SRI GURU AMAR DAS (AT KANKHAL NEAR SATI GHAT) – HARIDWAR[/B] The famous Hindu pilgrimage centre on the banks of Ganga River (the Ganges) was visited by several Gurus at different times, but the only historical Sikh shrine is the Gurdwara at Kankhal near Sati Ghat, three km south of Haridwar. It is dedicated to Guru Amar Das and is managed by Nirmala Sikhs [B][ATTACH type="full" alt="1706141968196.png"]22344[/ATTACH][/B] [CENTER][B][B]Photo 11.7. Gurdwara Sri Amar Das Ji Hardwar[/B][/B][/CENTER] [B][B]GURDWARA KOTDWAR, UP[/B][/B] [ATTACH type="full" width="302px" alt="1706142046385.png"]22345[/ATTACH][ATTACH type="full" width="283px" alt="1706142080275.png"]22346[/ATTACH] [CENTER][B]Photos 11.8 and 11.9 Gurdwara Guru Nanak Singh Sabha Kotdwar UP[/B][/CENTER] Kotdwar is a tehsil in Pauri Garhwal district in Indian state of Uttarakhand. Its old name was KhohDwar, which means the gateway of the river Khoh. After a fort constructed around it was named as Kotdwar. It is located on the bank of river Khoh.. It is situated in the south-western part of state and is one of the main entrance points in the state of Uttarakhand. Kotdwar Railway station, established in 1890 by the Britishers is one of the oldest railway stations of the country. Being the gateway of Himalayan Region, Kotdwar rail route was used for timber transportation from Himalayan Region. First Passenger train ran in the year 1901.Kotdwar is famous for its several temples like the Sidhbali mandir which is situated at a distance of 2kms from Kotdwar. Sidhbali mandir is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is visited by hundreds of believers all round the year. For Sikh pilgrims visiting the town, the holy bliss of gurudwara sahib ji can prove to be a perfect destination as it is blessed by Guru Nanak.[11] The climate of Kotdwar is generally temperate, although it varies from tropical; from hot in summers to severely cold. [B]GENDIKHATHA [ATTACH type="full" alt="1706142165921.png"]22347[/ATTACH][/B] [CENTER][B]Photo 11.10. Gurdwara Baoli Sahib, Gendikhata[/B][/CENTER] This is another established gurudwara in Gaindi Khata village that is 20 km from Haridwar (Uttarakhand). In 1508, Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji came to this place after visiting Nanakmatta, Kashipur, Kotdwar and Naziabad during the month of July-August. Guru Nanak Ji spent more than 3 months offering meditation here. Guru Nanak Ji presented a gift of Amrit in the form of a Baoli Sahib to the local Sangat. Even today pilgrims enjoy the water of the Baoli Sahib. Gurudwara Sant Sagar Baoli Sahib is situated in the Village Gendikhatha, Distt Haridwar, Uttarakhand 20 km from Haridwar on Nazibabad Road. Guru Nanak Dev Ji came here after visiting Hardwar. From here he proceeded to Najibabad, Kotdwar and Meerut on his way to Delhi. Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent 3 months nd 13 days while doing meditation at gendikhata as told by the President of the Gurdwara. During these days Guru Nanak Dev Ji presented a gift of Amrit in the form of Bauli Sahib to the local people who even enjoy this blessings in the water of this Bauli Sahib. Gurudwara Sahib is situated on the Haridwar-Najibabad Road at the Bridge Toll Barrier. Dera pf It was also told that nearby on the banks of Ganga, a dera of Baba Sri Chand also existed. As we visited the Dera of baba Sri Chand, we were told that Guru nanak had v isited that place also, However, this could not be corrobated with any evidence. According to Gyani Gian Singh and Dr Surinder Singh Kohli from Hardwar Guru Nanak returned towards Delhi via Kotdwar, Najibabad and Anupshahar in Uttarpradesh and Panipat in Haryana. There is a Gurdwara Charan Padka at Kotdwar to commemorate Guru Nanak’s visit. At Haldor in Bijnor district, there is a platform in the memory of the Guru. It is known as ‘Babe Nanak di Dheri’. The Sikhs have erected a Gurdwara near it. [12] [B]NAJIBABAD [ATTACH type="full" alt="1706142256827.png"]22348[/ATTACH][/B] [CENTER][B]Photo 11.11. Gurdwara Guru Nanak Shahi Singh Sabha, Najibabad[/B][/CENTER] Guru Nanak visited Najibabad from Kotdwar. The sewadar is a Bijnauri Sikh Sant Singh who does hard labour to earn his labour but does free service to the Gurdwara. He alo caters for food and lodging for the visitors from his own income. The land attached with the gurdwra has been cnsfiscat4ed by th Muslims. Gurwara in itself has no income. Bijnaur is the tehsil and district. [14] [B]HALDOR [ATTACH type="full" alt="1706142335486.png"]22349[/ATTACH][/B] [CENTER][B]Photo 11.12. Gurdwara Guru Nanak Baag Haldor[/B][/CENTER] From Najibabad Guru Nanak passed through Bijnore district. This district has about 22 villages of Bijnori Sikhs with 27 Singh Sabha Gurdwaras. These villages include Nakirpu, Paijnia, Khaspura, Rauh Nagli, Noorpur, Haldor etc. We were informed that Guru Nanak had stayed at Haldor in this district. Before we could reach Haldor, Sikhs from number of villages gathered on the route to welcome us. This was quite a touching scene since some old ladies even went as far as touching the feet of the team members. We reached at about 3.30 PM at Haldor. About 100 people from the village had gathered. The new Gurdwara Guru Nanak Baag Haldor building was constructed by Baba Bachan Singh Kar Sewa Wale. We were offered tea and samosas by the local sangat. The Bijnori Sikhs are better off than Sikligar and Wanjara Sikhs but education wise they too are comparatively disadvantaged from the local population. They requested for some Sikh college in the area so that their wards become employable in Government jobs. As I enquired from number of youth of the community, none of them was educated more than 12th class. Hoeever, they had started their own business and in this self employment most of them were earning around Rs 40,000 per month. It showed that the self-employed are relatively well off. Their business acumen appeared to be quite good. History of Gurdwara Guru Nanak Baag Haldor as heard from the sangat, and as shown on the board states that ‘Guru Nanak came here in the garden bagichi in the pashuwada of the king Kanwal Nain. He gave discourses to the visiting people on One God of all, common brotherhood, equality among all and love for humanity. The king came to know from the people about Guru Nanak and visited him. He held discussions with the Guru and was much impressed by Guru Nanak’s discourses and requested him to stay. People projected the problem of water. Guru Nanak dug the earth and the water sprung. All the people were pleased and they became Guru Nanak’s followers. A small garden was the reminiscent of the event. When I asked about the well, they showed me the place where the well existed but it was closed by the management since it became disused over a time. I requested them to restore the well since it is the evidence of Guru Nanak’s travel to the place. We were told that Haldor is a Municipal Locality. They were brought in this area by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. There is likely hood that this area fell under Jathedar Baghail Singh who ruled the Khatauli principality. He captured this area and settled the Sikhs from Punjab, primarily from Hoshiarpur and Amritsar. They have now 22 villages and 27 Gurdwaras, some villages having two Gurdwaras. Haldor and Najababad are the two historical Gurdwaras in their area. Both of these commemorate Guru Nanak’s visit to the area. It was getting late and we took leave from the sangat whose number swelled gradually. Our aim was to reach Najibabad tonight or alternatively Kashipur but the Sangat gathered all along the route had to be attended to. These were the villages of Sikhs and every one wanted us to go to their Gurdwara. We went to Noorpur Gurdwara which had a large gathering. The entire programme was video-graphed hence it took time for us to finish with the programme. It became too late by then hence at Noorpur our staying arrangements were made at a hotel belonging to a Sikh. Our dinner was arranged by a Sikh family which was too tasty. Night stay was quite comfortable. [B] MEERUT [ATTACH type="full" alt="1706142426589.png"]22350[/ATTACH][/B] [CENTER][B]Photo 11.13. Gurdwara Guru Nanak Meerut[/B][/CENTER] Our visit and stay agt Meerut has been quit memorable. I have read Dhanna Singh Chehal’s book Gur Tirath Cycle Yatra. He had visited Meerut on 26 March 1931 and writes about Guru Nanak’s visit to Meerut as follows: “Gurdwara Guru Nanak is one mile towards east on the Suraj Kund Sarovar. It was cosfrucred about 2-3- years ago (around 1900AD). A stone was found down under the place which had the name of Guru Nanak written on it. This stone was however lost aftere some time. Khanda Sahib was attached to the Nishan Sahib earlier but now the feathers of pea{censored}s are hung. The Gurdwara is under the control of Udasi saints. The Mahant is Sant Ram udasi who is not of god character and was jailed for 2 years for selling women. He is now out of prison. Gurdwara does not get much income; it is only of offerings. There are two Maharaj (copies of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. He has one follower to look after to him and a lady for cooking. She is known as lambardrni. Number o people visit the Gurdwara hese days. Gorakh Nath came to this place wth a begging bowl. He was presented with half loaf and saag on it. Gorakh nath insisted for full loaf and threatened that if full loaf is not given he will burn the city. The women said,” Take half loadf and go off from here. Don’t threaten me. If you has such occult powers to burn the city then burn the city; I care two hoots. Guru Nanak is stated to be around then. When he came to know that Gorakh Nath is about to burn the city for a loaf, he mollified Gorakh Nath by relieving of the hunger. [14 ] [B]References[/B] 1. [URL='https://villageinfo.in/uttarakhand/hardwar/roorkee/shantershah.html']Shantershah Village in Roorkee (Hardwar) Uttarakhand | villageinfo.in[/URL] 2. Dhanna Singh Chehal, Gur Tirth Cycle Yatra (11 March 1930 to 26 June 1934) edited by Chetan Singh Publishers European Panjabi Sath, Walsall, U.K. 2016, p.153-154 3. Kirpal Singh (Dr.) Janam Sakhi Prampra, Punjabi University, Patiala, 1969, p.84 4. Surinder Singh Kohli (Dr.) Travels of Guru Nanak, Punjabi University, Chandigarh, 1978, p. 96 5 Gyani Lal Singh Sangrur, Guru Khalsa Twareekh, Lahore Book Shop, 1940 (3rd edn 1955), p.93 6 Dr. Surinder Singh Kohli p.96 7 Sujan Rai Bhandari, Khulast-ut-Twareekh, (Panjabi Translation) Punjabi University Patiala, 1972, p54-55 8. Dhanna Singh Chehal, Gur Tirth Cycle Yatra (11 March 1930 to 26 June 1934) edited by Chetan Singh Publishers European Panjabi Sath, Walsall, U.K. 2016, p.155 9. Op Cit. 10. Dhanna Singh Chehal, Gur Tirth Cycle Yatra (11 March 1930 to 26 June 1934) edited by Chetan Singh Publishers European Panjabi Sath, Walsall, U.K. 2016, pp. 155-156 11. Dhanna Singh Chehal, p.149 12. Travels of Guru Nanak, p.25-26 13. Dhanna Singh Chehal, Gur Tirth Cycle Yatra (11 March 1930 to 26 June 1934) edited by Chetan Singh Publishers European Panjabi Sath, Walsall, U.K. 2016, p.152 14. Dhanna Singh Chehal, Gur Tirth Cycle Yatra (11 March 1930 to 26 June 1934) edited by Chetan Singh Publishers European Panjabi Sath, Walsall, U.K. 2016, p.155 [/QUOTE]
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Travels of Guru Nanak: A Brief
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