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GOINDVAL (31°22`N, 75"9`E), the first ever place of Sikh pilgrimage so designated by its founder, Guru Amar Das. This in fact was the spot where the ancient eastwest highway crossed the River Beas. With the renovation of the highway by Sher Shall Sur, the Afghan ruler of north India (1540-45), this ferry site became an important transit point. This led one Goinda or Gonda, a Marvaha Khatri trader, to plan establishing an habitation at the western end of the ferry. Thwarted in his endeavour by natural calamities which Goinda attributed to evil spirits, he repaired to Khadur to seek Guru Angad`s blessing.
GULABA, a former masand or local sangat leader who, after the abolition of the office by Guru Gobind Singh in 169899, had settled at Machhivara in present day Ludiriana district of the Punjab, faithfully served tlie Guru and his three companions coming out after the battle of Chamkaur (December 1705). Gulaba, finding them in the forest outside Machhivara, brought them to his house inside the village and put them up in his chubdrd, room on the first floor. He served them food and arranged their escape further abroad with the help of two Palhans (See GHANI KHAN). The site of Gulaba`s house is now marked by Gurdwara Chubara Sahib at Machhivara.
