HISTORY OF GURDWARA SRI NANAK JHIRA SAHEB BIDAR

As and when this world is infested with sins, injustice, tyranny, cruelty and evil, God Almighty has sent some pious soul to this world to destroy the above forces, so that righteousness and truth may prevail. In other words, God himself takes birth in the form of some Saintly person. It is believed that Guru Nanak Devji Maharaj, the first Guru of the Sikhs was the incarnation of God. Before his birth all kinds of above evil forces were rampant in India.

The situation in Punjab was even worse in those days. There was no sense of unity amongst Punjabis then. The invaders used to rock the country by looting, robbing, abducting girls and taking away the booty. At such a dark period, Guru Nanak Devji Maharaj appeared in this burning globe to preach love, equality, harmony, righteousness, service to humanity and truth.

Guru Nanak was born on Kartik Purnima 1526 Bikrami (i.e. 1469 A.D) at Talwandi Rai Bhoe, now known as Sri Nankana Saheb (now in Pakistan ) to Sri Mehta Kalu, a revenue Accountant, & Mata Triptaji.


GURUJI’S LIFE SKETCH IN BRIEF IS AS FOLLOWS:

BIRTH : Kartik Purnima 1526 Bikrami(1469 A.D)
BIRTH PLACE : Sri Nankana Saheb (Talwandi Rai Bhoe now in Pakistan)
PARENTS : Father –Mehta Kaluji and Mother-Mata Triptaji
MARRIAGE : With Bibi Sulakhaniji D/o Sri Mool Chandji at Village Bakhoke Randhawa in 1545 Bikrami.
CHILDREN : Baba Srichandji and Baba Lakhmi Chandji.
MISSIONARY TOURS: First Eastwards in (1554 B)
Second Southwards in (1567 B.)
Third Northwards in (1571 B.)
Fourth Westwards in (1575 B)
HEAVENLY ABODE : At Kartarpur (Ravi ) Dist.
Gurdaspur in 1596 B(1539 AD).

There are numerous popular stories, miracles about the events & happenings during the childhood and youth of Guruji, by which the Pandits, Mullas, Physicians and Scholars of that period became stunned and speechless.

Guruji was married at the age of 19 with the daughter of Sri Mool Chandji and was bestowed with two Children named Baba Sri Chandji and Baba Lakhmi Chandji.

On the persuation of his brother-In-Law, Bhai Jai Ramji (husband of Guruji’s Sister Bibi (Nanakiji), Guruji accepted vocational employment as a Modi (Store-Keeper) at Sulthanpur Lodhi under Nawab Daulat Khan Lodhi, in his Modi Khana. At that time due to scarcity of currency (Coins) the farmers used to pay the revenue in kind only. Thus the post of Modi was considered to be very important one and only the honest, experienced, intelligent and able persons were appointed to such posts. During his tenure as Modi, Guru Nanak Devji helped the poor generously and liberally.

As per old Chronicles, Guruji one morning, as usual went for a bath to nearby stream called Vaeen, which was in spate. He did not come out for three days continuously. People thought that Guruji had drowned, but in fact it was a miracle of Ingenuity where he was absorbed in Prayers and had become one with Almighty.

After attaining immaculate divinity, Guruji decided to dedicate his life for the service of People & to preach Humanism, righteousness, love, equality, probity etc.

Guru was to emancipate the People from the onslaughts of Brahmins, Yogis, Sadhus, Syeds and Fakirs perpetrated in the name of religion. He had to awaken the fearstricken masses.

Guru Nanak Devji Maharaj chalked out his Tour Programme divided into four Missionary Tours “Udasees” in Sikh chronicles. In all his tours Bhai Bala and Bhai Mardana were always his companions, Bhai Mardana used to play Rabab and the Guruji used to sing praising the Almighty daily at dawn and evening (Sun-Set)

Guruji was well aware of the fact that during these tours, he will have to part with his family and experience untold, unimaginable difficulties during his travel of thousands of miles on foot without any arrangements for food and shelter. He was also aware that he will have to go through the burning deserts, dense Jungles, severities of weather without adequate clothes on the body coupled with other numerous difficulties.

After preparing himself to face all kinds of calamities, Guruji commenced his first Missionary tour with a mission to defend the poor and distressed eastwards, in 1554 Bikrami from Sultanpur. After visiting many near by places, Dharamkot, Bhatner Bhatinda, Bikaner, Sirsa, Marwad, he reached Ajmer the Centre of Muslim Sufi Faqirs. From Ajmer he left for mount Abu via Sarohi, where he had a religious discourse with Jainees. In 1567 Bikrami Guruji commenced his second Missionary “Udasee”. Guruji proceeded towards South & he reached Indore. After crossing river Narmada he entered C.P. (now M.P). Then he reached Onkareshwar which is situated on the bank of Narbad via Hoshangabad, Narsingpur, Panchwati and Khandwa. Onkareshwar is the place where Guruji composed the verses Called “Dakhani Onkar”. There after he visited Burhanpur, Narsi (Brahmani ) place of Bhagat Namdevji, Akola, Hingoli, then hounda, Basmat Nagar and reached Maltekdi Saheb at Nanded.

Nanded is a Historic place where now stands one of the most sacred shrines of the Sikh Called Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Saheb (Spiritual and temporal seat of authority). It is a holy place which is well know as “Deccan Desh Guru Ka Washa”. Internationally famous for “Last resting place of Sri Guru Gobind Singhji, the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs. At Maaltekadi, One Mohammedan Saint named Lakkar Shah was anxiously waiting for Guru ji. He blessed the Saint saying Lakkhar Shah, your prayers have been answered and fulfilled. Due to your prayers, this place has become sacred and People from all corners of the globe will visit this shrine to pay their homage. Guruji advised the Saint to perform Brooming service since his body now was not strong enough to bear much strain and said he will receive one Ashrafi daily for his service. At this place now stands a beautiful building known as Gurdwara Maal Tekdi Saheb. Throughout his life the said Faqir performed daily brooming service. His tomb is situated on the rear side of the Gurdwara. From here, after visiting the places of Nanak puri Kandahar Medak Kailash. Guruji reached Bidar, which is now a district in the state of Karnataka.

In those olden days, Bidar was a small village on a hilly track. Guruji sat on the outskrits of the village on the foot of a hill. No greenery was visible throughout the area due lack of water and the inhabitants were longing for clean sweet drinking water.

Guruji instructed Mardana to play his Rabab and himself started singing divinely songs. Quite near the place there was a monastery of Muslim ascetics. Pir Jalaluddin & his followers heard the divine music and came there. After some deliberations, the Pir was impressed and ravished with the holy personality of the Guru and paid obeisance. The Pir also narrated the woeful conditions of the local People due to the scarcity of drinking water. The water at Bidar was saltish and was not fit for drinking Purpose. Due to the worst condition of water scarcity, no person from the surrounding areas was prepared to give his daughter in marriage to a boy residing at Bidar. The Local People who thronged to seek the blessings of Guru ji also complained about the hardships they were facing due to scarcity of clean sweet drinking water. On hearing the extremely painful plight & prayers of the People, the compassionate and merciful Guruji was very much moved & uttering “ Sat Kartar “ touched his wooden sandle, which he was wearing, to the nearby hillock and removed a stone. To the surprise and delight of all, un-restrain of clean sweet drinking water started gushing out from the place which is flowing with pomp and pride since last 500 years. This place has become Internationally famous as “Nanak Jhira” Jhira means a spring of Water. This spiritual event took place, around March/April 1512 A.D. Since then, clean and sweet drinking water is continuously flowing from this spring and by the grace of Guru Nanak Devji Maharaj it will continue to flow for ever. This water is good for health from hydropathy point of view and cures many incurable ailments. A magnificent Gurdwara has been built at this Place.

Thousand of Pilgrims from all corners of the Globe visit this sacred shrine every year to pay their homage and receive blessings of Guru Nanak Devji Maharaj. As per topographical features, Bidar town is the Head-Quarters of Bidar district located in south of India, further precisely, it is situated at “North west of Karnataka at a height of 2010 feet (618.7 meters) above sea-leval and of purely rocky soil known as “Deccan Plateau”. The climate is always cool and very favourable for health from Medical point of view. This town of Bidar is famous for Bidari silver work through out India and Globally.

Bidar is located at a distance of 200 kms from Nanded (Hazur Saheb) & 140 kms from Hyderabad and is well connected with the south Central Railway and bus routes.

Birthday of Guru Nanak Devji Maharaj is celebrated with great enthusiasm every year in the month of November. A procession with Nishan Saheb is taken out on this auspicious occasion. A great number of devotees also visit this sacred place on the eve of Dashera and Holi festival as well.

In respect of Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Saheb, it will not be out of place to mention here that this Gurdwara is second natural occurrences of Sri Guru Nanak Devji Maharaj, whereas the first one is “Sri Punja Saheb (Now in Pakistan). Hence, Gurdwara “Sri Nanak Jhira Saheb “ is second Punja Saheb “ of India.

The spiritually excellent view of this Gurdwara Saheb is very pleasant and highly attractive which certainly ravishes every one with its beauty.

After visiting Bidar, Sri Guru Nanak Devji Maharaj proceeded to Sri Lanka to bless the then Raja Shivnabh who become devotee on account of mansukh Indian businessman and Bhagat of Guruji who had been to Sri Lanka for business from Srilanka he visited Rameshvaram, Gulbarga, Golconda, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Kurnool, Anantpur, Cuddpah, Tirupati, Madras, Arcot, Pondichery, Tanjaur, Tiruchanapally etc. At Remeshvaram there is an excellent monument built in memory of the great Guru’s visit.

Management of Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Saheb.

The Management of Gurdwara Saheb is managed by legally recognized Body lunning purely on religious, principles, having elected President, Vice President and General Secretary on prescribed basis.

At this holy shrine the Management has built an Amrit Kund, keeping in view of all the aspects to maintain the sanctity of benefaction of nature.

A separate provision has been made for ladies for bathing purpose which was inaugurated by Singh Saheb Gyani Saheb Singhji Holy priest of Golden Temple, Amritsar on 23rd April 1984, on the eve of the First death anniversary of Sant Baba Kartar Singhji.

For the comforts of devotees, who come to pay their homage at Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Saheb, Bidar, the Management has built a number of rooms in different buildings, such as Guru Nanak Vishram Ghar, Guru Nanak Niwas, Chadha Niwas, Sri Guru Angad Niwas, New Angad Niwas, Yatri Niwas, Guru Nanak Rest House. Keeping in view of the ever increasing flow of Pilgrims more residential rooms are being constructed. A new building for kitchen (Guru Ka Langer) has also been constructed. In Guru Ka Langer free meals are served to all without any discrimination & irrespective of caste, creed and colour.

Management of Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Saheb.

It will not be out of place to mention here that on the historical Baisakhi Day of 1756 Bikrami, when Sri Guru Gobind Singhji founded the Khalsa Panth by baptizing the five beloved (Punj Pyaras) at Takhat Kesgarh Saheb, Sri Anandpur Saheb and got himself baptized by the five beloveds, one of those five beloved Bhai Saheb Singhji, belonged to Bidar. He was one of the Punj Pyaras who was successful in Guru’s litmes Test. Bhai Saheb Singhji got the name of Bidar permentaly engraved in Golden letters in the Sikh history. He was born to Sri Guru Narayan & Mata Anakamma in Bidar on 5th Magh 1732 Bikrami (1675 A.D). He fought many religious battles and attained martyrdom in the battle of Chamkor in 1761 Bikrami.

GURDWARA MATA BHAGOJI

When the battle of Mukatsar entered crucial stage a few Sikhs who were frustrated due to hunger & suffering in war, disowned Sri Guru Gobind Singhji and returned to their homes. Mata Bhagoji had taunted and aroused them to fight for Guruji. As a result, those Sikhs returned and fought the battle of Mukatsar and scarified their lives for Guruji and became “Chali Muktas” Mata Bhagoji had herself fought along with them and was the sole survivor in the battle of Mukatsar.

Sri Guru Gobind Singhji when came to Nanded from Punjab, Mata Bhagoji accompanied him.

Sri Guru Gobind Singhji on his way to heavenly abode, visited prison of Satara Fort (situated near Poona) where land lords namely “Rustam Rao & Bala Rao were imprisoned and got them out of prison with an order to go to Nanded to narrate the entire event of their release to the mourning Sikh-Sangat, so that they could know that they can re-jenuvate their faith as Guru is always present along them. At Nanded Jathedar Santokh Singh on the request of Rustam Rao and Bala Rao Jagirdar sent them to Janwada under the Protection of Mata Bhagoji (General). While at Janwada at the residence of Rustam Rao and Bala Rao Mata Bhagoji with utmost sincerity spread the message of Sikhism. Therefore she is famous for investiture as (General) & Publicist of Sikhism.

As a mark of respect to Mata Bhagoji, there stands a Gurdwara at Janwada, which is about 10 kms, from Bidar. This Gurdwara is also under the Management and control of Prabandhak Committee Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Saheb, Bidar.

SANT BABA KARTAR SINGHJI

This chapter of Holy events will be incomplete if we don’t mention the meritorious and selfless service rendered by Shriman Sant Baba Kartar Singhji. Born in September 1915, Sant Baba Kartar Singhji had religious liking right from his childhood. He belonged to Sargodha District now in Pakistan. With lapse of time he came to this holy place, Sri Nanak Jhira Saheb & came in contact with Panth Bhushan Sardar Bishan Singhji in the year 1958 & helped the Management by collecting handsome donations from the devotees of Sri Guru Nanak Devji by visiting different places with his music companions resulting in the construction of Magnificent Gurdwara Saheb. His sweet voice and Kirtan had a magic effect on the devotees.

It was on 21st April 1983, when Santji was at Rishikesh on Sikh missionary tour in Northern India, that he breathed his last and left for his heavenly abode. His services rendered for Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Saheb, Bidar continuously for 25 years will always be remembered.

PANTH BHUSHAN SARDAR BISHAN SINGHJI

Shriman Panth Bhushan Sardar Bishan Singhji was born in 1895, in Beed District, now in Marathwada, in a religious-minded Sikh military family of S. Ram Singh. In recognition of the whole hearted religious, educational and social services rendered by him, he was honoured with the title of “Panth Bhushan” at All India Sikh Educational Conference held at Hyderabad in 1939. He also rendered great service to Sikh Hostel, Hyderabad. He continuously served for the cause of Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Saheb as President from the year 1950 till his demise in 1966. He was also bestowed with the designation of “SANT” by the Sangat of Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Saheb and Head Priest Shriman 108 Sant Baba Joginder Singhji of Nanded on the auspicious occasion of the First Prakash Ceremony” of Sri Guru Granth Sahebji in the new building of Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Saheb, Bidar. His services will be remembered by future generations.

BIO GRAPHY OF S. JOGA SINGHJI.

S. Joga Singhji was born on 26th December 1934. He got his education in the field of Commerce from Osmania University of Hyderabad. At the tender age of 20, he started participating in business along with his father Panth Bhushan Bishan Singhji and became class-A contractor in the erstwhile Hyderabad State and Karnataka. He also started taking keen part in social works. In the year 1954 he started taking keen interest in the social and educational spheres. In same year (1954) he became the Member of Governing Council of Gulbarga Engineering College and Medical College run by Hyderabad Karnataka Education Society & he remained so till 1975.

Further S. Joga Singh was made the Member of “Just & Fair” committee for maintaining Peace and integrity of the country, which was published in “Hindustan Times” on 18th June 1986.

S. Joga Singh was conferred with “Shiromani” Award by the then Hon’ble Vice-President of India Sri Shanker Dayal Sharma, on 30th December 1987.

In 1962, he became the Life Member of Hyderabad Karnataka Education Society. For three years i.e. from 1983 to 1985 he was nominated as Member of the academic Committee by Sri Govind Narayan, Governor of Karnataka. He was an active member of the Sikh Education Society, Hyderabad. After the demise of his father S. Bishan Singhji. S. Joga Singhji was elected President of Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Saheb, Bidar Gurdwara Mai Bhagoji Janwada on 28th March 1967 and while doing his best for the betterment of Gurdwara Management, he also served in the social and educational spheres. In 1969 he established Guru Nanak Hospital. In 1975 Guru Nanak Public School, Bidar was founded and in 1978 Guru Nanak Public School, Hyderabad was brought into existence, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College was started in 1980. Which got the world wide popularity in the field of Technical education. Similarly Guru Nanak Dev Polytechnic and Guru Nanak Junior College were started in 1986 and 1988 for the benefit of the Public in General.

He got several Lakh of rupees sanctioned from Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Saheb, Bidar to Sikh Education Society, Hyderabad to start Guru Nanak School at Sikh Chawni R.R. Dist., for imparting quality education to the children of all communities in general and the Sikhs in particular. He got permission to start a School of Nursing at Sikh Chawni R.R. District for strengthening and establishing the Sikh Education Society. He also made untiring efforts to establish a Medical College at Bidar.

On the fateful night of 30th March 1989 at 9:00 PM he was assassinated at his residence in Hyderabad. The loss caused to the Panth by his untimely demise will never be compensated. His life that brimmed with social and educational activities will serve the purpose of a Light House for the coming generation.

PANTH RATAN SHIROMANI SARDAR JOGA SINGHJI

After the demise of Panth Bhushan S. Bishan Singhji his dynamic Son Sardar Joga Singhji, who was fully capable of shouldering all responsibilities of Presidentship, was unanimously elected as the President of Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Saheb, Bidar by the congregation assembled on the eve of Holla Mahalla festival in 1967.

Apart from performing the duties of Presidentship S. Joga Singhji, had taken keen interest in educational field with a view to spread the light of education among the Sikhs in particular and the people in general. In a very short span of time the following Education Institutions were established in this backward area.

Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Bidar, founded in 1980, has made top most place in the Map of Engineering Colleges in India, where students from all religions and from different parts of the Country are imparted Quality Education in Engineering Courses. This College is situated on a vast place of 27 Acres of land with its Laboratories equipped with most modern machinery. For the facility of the outside students requiring Boarding Accommodation, there is a beautiful Hostel building attached to the college. At present the college building consists of 11 Lecture Hall, 5 Drawing Halls, 1 Video Room and 22 Laboratories (including Workshop and Library ). The following courses are taught in the college:


GURDWARA PRABANDHAK COMMITTEE BIDAR

The following is the Working Committee Members elected in the year 2009.

Office Bearers

1.S.Balbir Singh S/o S.Joga Singh Bidar

President

S.Bahadur Singh S/o S.Albail Singh Hyderabad

Vice President

S.Balwanth Singh S/o S.Gobind Singh Gaddiwale

General Secretary

S.Darshan Singh S/o Ram Singh Pandit

Secretary

Members

S. Arvinder Singh

Wrangal

S. Gurcharan Singh Ghadisaj

Nanded

S. Harpal Singh Ranjan

Hyderabad

S. Inder Singh Sahu

Nanded

S. Lahor Singh

Hyderabad

S. Lochan Singh

Nanded

S. Mahinder Singh

Nizamabad

S. Manpreet Singh Khanuja

Bidar

S. Pradeep Singh Ranjan

Hyderabad

S. Ravinder Singh

Karimnagar

S. Sarjeet Singh

Hyderabad

S. Satbir Singh Sandhu

Hyderabad

S. Tejpal Singh GNJS

Bidar