BIR BABA BUDDHA JI, GURDWARA, in the revenue limits of the village of Thatta, 20 km south of Amritsar, commemorates Baba Buddha (1506-1631), the venerable Sikh of the time of Guru Nanak who lived long enough to anoint five succeeding Gurus. He spent many years looking after the bir, lit. a reserved forest used for cattle grazing, said to have been offered to Guru Arjan by Chaudhari Langah of Patti out of his private lands. According to Gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi it was here that Mata Ganga, the consort of Guru Arjan, received from him on 21 Assu 1651 Bk/20 September 1594, the blessing for an illustrious son, the future Guru Hargobind, Nanak VI.
Gurdwara Bir Baba Buddha Sahib Ji, popularly known as simply Bir Sahib, is situated about 2 km northwest of Thatta.The present complex was raised by Baba Kharak Singh, a follower of Sant Gurmukh Singh Sevavale. The sanctum, where the Guru Granth Sahib is seated on a canopied seat of white marble, is a metre high square platform at the far end of a rectangular hall constructed in 1951. The 70metre square sarovar is to the north of this hall. A spacious divan hall was added in 1975.
Guru ka Langar with a large dining hall and a two storeyed residential block for pilgrims are in a separate compound. Besides, there is a Khalsa higher secondary school (established 1963) as well as a Khalsa college (established 1969), both named after Baba Buddha.The Gurdwara is managed by a local committee under the auspices of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Besides the daily prayers and the celebration of important anniversaries on the Sikh calendar, largely attended divans take place on the first of each Bikrami month. The biggest function of the year is a religious fair held on 21st of Assu, corresponding with 6 October.
References :
1. Gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi. Patiala, 1970
2. Satibir Singh, Partakh Hari. Jalandhar, 1977
Gurdwara Bir Baba Budha Sahib—often simply called Bir Sahib—is a profoundly revered Sikh shrine located near Amritsar in Punjab, India, within the village of Thatta. This sacred site is dedicated to Baba Buddha Ji, a seminal figure in Sikh tradition who is celebrated as the first head priest of Harmandir Sahib (the Golden Temple) and for his role in anointing five successive Sikh Gurus .
Who Was Baba Buddha Ji?
Baba Buddha Ji (1506–1631) is remembered not only for his long and dedicated service to the Sikh community but also for his deep spiritual wisdom and humility. He is unique in Sikh history for having anointed five Gurus, a testament to his extraordinary faith and forethought. Among the most cherished tales is the narrative involving Mata Ganga, the wife of Guru Arjan Dev. When she faced the trials of childlessness and endured taunts about her barrenness, she approached Baba Buddha Ji for his blessings. After refusing lavish food initially, Baba Buddha Ji accepted a simple meal of missi roti (a traditional flatbread) and pyaag (onion) prepared by Mata Ganga. Moved by her sincerity and humility, he blessed her with a son, who later became Guru Hargobind Sahib, the sixth Sikh Guru. This story underscores the values of simplicity, devotion, and faith that lie at the heart of Sikh culture .
The Architectural and Cultural Landscape
Over the years, the shrine has evolved into more than just a historical monument. Today, visitors are welcomed into a serene complex featuring:
- A sanctum that houses the Guru Granth Sahib on a distinguished white-marble canopied seat.
- A rectangular prayer hall originally constructed in 1951, which provides a calm milieu for reflection and prayer.
- A 70-meter square Sarovar (holy tank) that enhances the spiritual ambience of the site.
- Additional structures including a spacious divan hall, a communal dining hall for the langar (free community meal), and even residential facilities for pilgrims.
- Educational institutions like the Khalsa Higher Secondary School and Khalsa College, established to carry forward the legacy of Baba Buddha Ji and the Sikh tradition .
Managed by a local committee and under the auspices of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the gurdwara remains a vibrant center of faith, learning, and community service. It is not just an architectural wonder but a living repository of Sikh values such as humility, service, and brotherhood.