Introduction:
Punjab is known as the land of Saints and Gurus. So, it is considered a religious land. The major religion practiced here is “SIKHISM”. It would not be wrong to say Punjab as the land of gurudwaras because it has a number of Sikh shrines in almost every city and village.
Most of the Sikh Temples(Gurudwara) have historical significance and are related to some historical event of Sikhism.
So, to know more about gurudwaras, today I am going to write about the “Gurudwaras of Fatehgarh Sahib (Sirhind)”. The land of Fatehgarh sahib is known by the name of “LAND OF MARTYRS” because here the two young sons of Sikh Guru Gobind Singh Ji (tenth Guru of Sikhs) were brutally killed at this Sirhind, during the rule of Wazir Khan.
I live in Patiala and I usually visit the gurudwaras of Fatehgarh Sahib on regular basis. But this time, I am going to share the important information about these gurudwaras with you.
To make things easily understandable and navigable, I have designed this article in FAQ format.
Table of Contents
Where Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib is situated?
Sirhind, a sub-division of district Fatehgarh Sahib is located in the Punjab state, Northern India. It is situated on National Highway-44 and is at a distance of only 30 KM from Chandigarh, the capital city of Punjab.
History of Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib.
This place has a major historical impact on Sikh history. This was ruled by Wazir Khan in the 17th Century under the Dictatorship of Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor.
During that period, the two young sons (Baba Fateh Singh and Baba Zorawar Singh) of Guru Gobind Singh (10th Sikh Guru) were bricked up alive in the walls and then were brutally killed.
However, after the demise of Guru Gobind Singh, his Sikh follower Baba Banda Singh Bahadur invaded Sirhind and assassinated Wazir Khan in the year 1710.
How to reach Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib?
Fatehgarh Sahib city is situated on Delhi-Amritsar NH -44. It is well connected with three modes of transportation and you can reach here by following means:
By Air: The nearest airport is Chandigarh International Airport which is mere at a distance of 30 Km. You can easily reach here by booking Cab/Taxi or bus from Airport which would take approximately 40 Minutes. You may use makemytrip.com to book air tickets.
By Road: It is well connected with roads and you can reach here by Bus/taxi/cab or your own private vehicle from any nearby major city like Amritsar, Ludhiana, Ambala, Chandigarh and Delhi. It is at a distance of approx 255 Km from Delhi, the National capital of India and the journey will take around 5 hours.
By Rail: It is also connected with the Rail network and you can book a train “SIRHIND JUNCTION” from the major cities of India. It is the most economical way to reach here. Use IXIGO app to easily book train tickets online.
Which is the best time to visit Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib?
You can visit Sirhind at any time of the year but the best time is in the winter season.
During the winter season (From 24 December to 28 December every year), a Sahedi Sabha/ Shaheedi Jor Mela ( annual religious congregation) is being organized in the memory of the martyrdom of the sons of Guru Gobind Singh.
On these days, people across the world visit this holy place to pay their homage to the Martyrs.
What to wear in Gurudwaras?
There is no special dress code for visiting gurudwaras. But it is a religious place and devotees have feelings attached to these holy shrines.
So you are advised to wear simple, sober clothes which cover your maximum body (Avoid short skirts in case of females). Moreover, you have to cover your head with any piece of cloth or handkerchief. Without head covering, you will not be allowed inside the main gurudwara premises.
If by chance, you do not have any piece of cloth with you, then you can take that from the main shrine entrance point.
One another thing, you have to put off your shoes and socks in the Jora Ghar (Shoe rack room) before entering the temple.
Which are the main Gurudwaras of Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib?
There are main five gurudwaras in Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib which you must visit to get in-depth knowledge about Sikh history. These are:
- Gurudwara Shri Fatehgarh Sahib.
- Gurudwara Thanda Burj.
- Gurudwara Shaheedganj Sahib
- Gurudwara Bibangarh Sahib
- Gurudwara Jyoti Saroop Sahib.
These gurudwaras are situated in an area of 300 metres from the main gurudwara Shri Fatehgarh Sahib and can be easily accessed on foot.
Gurudwara Shri Fatehgarh Sahib
This is the main Gurudwara of Fatehgarh Sahib and always remain flooded with visitors.
Historical Importance:
Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave up everything to uplift humanity. The Guru’s young sons (Sahibzaday) and elderly mother (Mata Gujjar Kaur Ji) laid down their lives in order to uproot the cruel Mughal regime and alleviate the suffering of the downtrodden population.
The ruthless and depraved governer (Wazir Khan) mercilessly tortured and executed Mata Gujjar Kaur Ji, alongside the beloved younger Sahibzaday; Baba Zorawar Singh Ji (age 9) and Baba Fateh Singh Ji (age 7).
The saintly mother and precious sons of the guru were kept in the most inhumane conditions.
The government relentlessly attempted to break their resolve using tactics such as torture and bribery.
Yet no amount of torment could shake the immense faith and unwavering courage of the young princes.
Ultimately, the young sahibzaday were sentenced to execution. They were to be suffocated to death by having a brick wall built around them.
At this place once stood the court of Wazir Khan. It was here, in December 1704, that the Sahibzaday were summoned in order to Coerce them into abandoning their faith and bowing before the cruel regime.
The kind and gentle young sons of the Guru stood tall and refused to give in to the government’s tyrannical demands. The princes were bribed with riches and promised government positions. When this did not work, their innocent bodies were tortured relentlessly.
The Sahibzaday endured this anguish yet refused to bow before cruelty. It is here that the sentence of the sahibzaday was announced.
The Bhora Sahib (blessed basement) marks the place where the sahibzaday were executed. The bricks have been preserved and the throne of Guru Granth Sahib Ji blesses this most sacred place.
This Gurudwara is spread in huge area and it has one large holy sarover (Water pond) and 24-hour Guru ka Langar (free public kitchen).
Gurudwara Thanda Burj.
This Gurudwara is situated in the complex of Main Gurudwara of Shri Fatehgarh Sahib and can be easily accessed on foot.
Historical Importance:
It is at this place that Mata Gujjar Kaur and the sahibzaday were kept as prisoners, in December of 1704. In addition to enduring relentless forms of sadistic torture, they were forced to endure hunger and extreme cold.
Despite these unbearable conditions. Mata Ji and the sahibzaday refused to yield in the face of cruelty.
These saintly souls spent three days in this torture cell. It is also here that the kindhearted Moti Ram Mehra Ji lovingly brought milk for Mata Ji and the Sahibzaday.
Baba Moti Ram Ji’s whole family was tortured by the government and killed as a result of his kind act.
Gurudwara Shaheedganj Sahib
This Gurudwara is also nestled in the premised of Main gurudwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib.
On May14, 1710, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur ji fought the battle of Chapadchidi and obtained victory over Sirhind.
The Khalsa army fought heroically and uprooted the barbaric government of Wazir Khan. It is here that the bodies of 6000 Sikh warriors, from this battle were cremated.
Gurudwara Bibangarh Sahib
This gurudwara is situated at a distance of only 300 meters from main gurudwara sri Fatehgarh sahib and can be accessed on foot.
As per Sikh history, the Mughals throw out the sacred bodies of guru ji’s sons and his mother into the deep forest at this place where dangerous animals were living. Here one lion safeguarded these 3 bodies from other animals for 48 hours.
Then Diwan Todar Mal and other sikhs reached here and got the bodies. From here, they took these sacred bodies to Gurudwara Jyoti Saroop where they finally cremated.
There is Bhora Sahib (Underground room) in this gurudwara which one must visit.
Gurudwara Jyoti Saroop Sahib.
This gurudwara is situated at the distance of 1.5 KM from the main gurudwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib. It can be either accessed on foot or on autorickshaw.
Historical Importance:
This Historical Gurdwara Jyoti Saroop Sahib was erected in the memory of Mata Gujri Ji and Chotte Sahibzadas (younger sons) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
The tenth Guru of the Sikhs sacrificed his whole clan to save humanity from the slavery and tyranny of the rulers of that time.
Mata Gujri Ji and the light of his eyes (Nur-E-Nazar), his Younger sons Baba Zorawar Singh (aged 09) and Baba Fateh Singh (aged 07), were treated in an inhuman and bardaric manner by the rulers of the time.
The cruel rulers planned to create feelings of terror amongst the public and under this vicious plan some irrational conditions were laid for performing the last rites of all the three martyrs.
Due to the fear created by Wazir khan, all the farmers declined to sell their land. As a result of this Dewan Todarmal Ji a devout Sikh of Guru Ghar Sahib decided to sacrifice all his life time savings and his entire property.
He purchased the land from the ruthless Sub-E-Sirhind (Governor) Wazir Khan by literally carpeting the piece of ground in “Gold Coins’ (in vertical position) in order to pay homage to the supreme sacrifice of Guru Ji’s family.
Mata Gujri Ji, Sahibzada Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Baba Fateh Singh Ji were consigned to flames in the same pyre which is now a place of worship and is known as Gurdwara Jyoti Saroop Sahib.
Final Words about Sirhind
My journey to gurudwaras of Fatehgarh sahib has always remained inspiring. One must visit this holy shrine at least once in his lifetime.
You will get in-depth knowledge about the Sikh political and historical aspects. You will come to know about the fact that the little sons of Guru Gobind Singh did not leave their religion and did not accept the following of Mughals. Rather they choose to die.
If possible for you then try to visit in the month of December end. You will observe a different kind of environment in this city at that time and you can really understand the value of the Martyrdom of Guruji’s sons in more depth.
I hope this information would be useful. If you have any queries regarding the gurudwaras of Fatehgarh Sahib visit then feel free to post a comment in the comment box. I will be glad to answer your query.
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Planed to visit Sri Fatehgard Sahib anytime soon. Guru Kirpa.