SAMAO

SAMAO, also pronounced Samhao, a village 2 km north of Bhikhi (30° 3`N, 75° 33`E) in Bathinda district of the Punjab, has a historical shrine called Gurdwara Patshahi Nauvin. It is said that, as Guru Tegh Bahadur was once travelling from Khiva towards Samao and Bhikhi, he was informed that a sangat from Peshawar and Kabul was coming to see him. The Guru halted where he was and sat under a van tree to wait for his Sikhs. Mats were spread out to receive the sangat.

The Sikhs arrived singing holy hymns, bowed before the Guru and received his blessing. A peasant ploughing his field near by, struck by the scene of pious devotion, went to the Guru and placed before him his humble fare of bread and buttermilk. The Guru partook of the food and so did all the Sikhs. The Guru blessed the peasant with the words : “Milk shall always abound in thy house.” A memorial shrine was established under the van tree where the Guru had sal.

The present building, in a 50metre square lowwalled compound, comprises a domed sanctum with a rectangular hall in front. The front of the sanctum is decorated with cylindrical pillars and a floral frieze in stucco. A gallery covers three sides of the hall while on the fourth, behind the sanctum, still stands the old van tree sanctified by Guru Tegh Bahadur`s visit. The Gurdwara owns 30 acres of land and is managed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee through the local committee of Khiva Kalan.

References :

1. Narotam, Tara Singh, Sri Guru Tirath Sangrahi. Kankhal, 1975
2. Thakar Singh, Giani, Sri Gurduare Darshan. Amritsar, 1923
3. Giar; Singh, Giani, Twarikh Gurduarian. Amritsar, n.d
4. Fauja Singh, Guru Teg Bahadur : Yatra Asthan, Paramparavan te Yad Chinh. Patiala, 1976
5. Harbans Singh, Guru Tegh Bahadur. Delhi 1993
6. Gurmukh Singh, Historical Sikh Shrines. Amritsar, 1995