BHORA SAHIB GURUDWARA( GURU KA MAHAL),ANANDPUR Here Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib used to sit for meditation and for composing hymns. Residence of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur inherited by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji; the Sahibzadas the holy sons of the tenth Guru were born here. There is an underground room cut off from the din of life where the ninth Guru used to meditate. Gurudwara Bhora Sahib, a three-storeyed domed building close to Damdama Sahib, was a part of Guru ke Mahal.
Here in a bhora (basement) Guru Tegh Bahadur used to retire for solitary meditation. A 1.5-metre square and half a metre high platform in the middle of the present basement marks the site of the original bhora. The Holy Book is now seated on a platform on the ground floor. Extension of this Gurdwara involving blocks for Guru ka Langar and residential accommodation is in progress.
References :
1. www.allaboutsikhs.com
A Historic Haven of Sikh Spirituality: Baba Bakala, a town resonating with historical significance, became the dwelling place of the Sixth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji and later, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, during the 1640s. It was a vibrant town adorned with beautiful pools, wells, and ‘baolis’, radiating a sense of prosperity and tranquility. Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, along with his wife and mother, led a life of strict devotion and meditation in Bakala, while still attending to his family responsibilities and making visits to other places in the east such as Patna1 in Bihar and Assam and also Delhi, where he met Sri Guru Harkrishan Ji, the eighth Sikh Guru, also known as the “Bal Guru”, twice.
The Ambiguity and the Pretenders: During his stay in Delhi, Guru Harkrishan Ji, who was barely 8 years old, fell ill with smallpox. When asked about his successor, he cryptically replied, “Baba Bakale,” indicating that the next Guru would be found in Bakala. He merged with the Almighty on March 30, 1664. Seizing upon this ambiguity, several pretenders emerged, claiming to be the ninth Sikh Guru. Around 22 individuals proclaimed themselves as the true Guru, including Dhir Mall, the influential nephew of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The perplexed Sikh community found themselves at a loss, unable to discern the identity of the rightful Guru amidst the sea of claimants.
The Arrival of Baba Makhan Shah Labana: Amidst the confusion and chaos, a significant turning point arrived with the arrival of Baba Makhan Shah Labana, a trader hailing from the Jhelum district. His life took a transformative turn when his ship faced a fierce storm, and he fervently prayed to God and Guru Nanak for safety. In his prayers, he vowed to donate five hundred dinars to the Guru for charitable purposes if he reached the nearest port unscathed. True to his word, the ship landed safely, and Baba Makhan Shah Labana made his way to Delhi, where he learned of Guru Harkrishan Ji’s passing and his statement about the next Guru residing in Bakala.
The True Guru Revealed: Bound by his pledge, Baba Makhan Shah Labana decided to offer only two Dinars to each claimant, earnestly hoping that the true Guru would be undoubtedly aware of the exact amount he had vowed to donate. The impostors, lacking spiritual insight and character, would settle for the two golden mohurs. As expected, none of the pretenders recognized him as the rightful donor. However, Baba Makhan Shah Labana faced a dilemma—where was the true Guru if none of these men were authentic? It was then that a child informed him about a holy man named Tegh Bahadur, meditating nearby, who made no such claims about himself.
A Life-Altering Encounter: Baba Makhan Shah Labana approached Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and offered him two golden pieces as he did with the impostors. To his surprise, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji politely chided him, stating that he had broken his promise. The Guru reminded him of the 500 gold pieces he had vowed to donate when praying for his safety during the storm. Moved by the Guru’s words, Baba Makhan Shah Labana proclaimed that he would inform everyone about finding the true Guru, despite Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s warning that it could lead to dishonor. Undeterred, Baba Makhan Shah Labana marked his devotion by putting ash on his face and ascending to the rooftop, where he proclaimed to the entire village of Bakala, “Guru Ladho Rae”2 (meaning “Found the Guru” in Lubanki, the language of the Labanas). This bold act led to the mass exodus of the false and self-styled “gurus”, leaving behind the village now known as Baba Bakala
Gurdwara Sri Bhora Sahib: A Sanctuary of Divine Presence: It was at this very location that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji chose to reside, meditating on the divine name for an astounding span of 26 years, 9 months, and 13 days. Gurdwara Sri Bhora Sahib stands as a testament to this significant period in Sikh history. Today, the Gurdwara boasts a nine-floor building, symbolizing the spiritual heights and divine connection experienced by the ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji during his stay.
