Opinion | Gurudwaras of Jammu & Kashmir: Honoring the Sacred Journey of Guru Hargobind Sahib

“Guru Hargobind Sahib’s spiritual and political leadership, his contributions to the faith, and his visits to Jammu & Kashmir, where several historical Gurudwaras were established, emphasizing his message of human rights, equality, and service to humanity”.

Sikhism, with over 25 million adherents globally, is among the most recent major world faiths. Sikhism was revealed to Guru Nanak over 500 years ago in the Punjab Sikhism teaches devotion, constant remembrance of God, living truthfully, equality among all humans, and social justice, while strongly rejecting superstitions and meaningless rituals. Guru Hargobind Sahib is the Sixth Guru of the ten Sikh Gurus.He was the only son of Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
He was born on June 19, 1595, at Guru Ki Wadali near Amritsar.After the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji during the rule of Emperor Jahangir, the Sikhs began to consider ways to resist the Mughal Empire’s oppression.Under Guru Hargobind Sahib, Sikhs adopted both spiritual and political means to confront the Mughal Empire.Guru Hargobind Sahib wore two swords representing Miri (worldly power) and Piri (spiritual power) after the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, but he never let worldly concerns overpower his spiritual life.Guru Hargobind Sahib transformed Sikh followers into warrior-saints.He harmoniously combined the powers of devotion and strength.He urged Sikhs to defend human rights and stand for freedom, equality, and fraternity.Under Guru Hargobind Sahib’s leadership, Sikhism expanded rapidly in Jammu & Kashmir through preachers and his personal visit.Numerous historical Gurudwaras were established in Jammu & Kashmir to honor Guru Hargobind Sahib’s visit in 1620 A.D.According to some accounts, Emperor Jahangir accompanied Guru Hargobind Sahib on his tour of Kashmir.Nowshera, a small town in the Pir Panjal hills of Rajouri district in Jammu & Kashmir, has the historic Gurudwara Chevvin Patshahi.Guru Hargobind Sahib blessed the Gurudwara with his visit in 1620 A.D.Guru Hargobind Sahib met Baba Biram Shah Dutt, who served the Guru with great devotion.Guru Sahib granted a sacred seat (‘Gaddi’) to Baba Biram Shah in the region.Baba Biram Shah spread the message of Sikhism in the hills of Mirpur.Gurudwara Chevvin Patshahi Rajouri is another historic Gurudwara linked with Guru Hargobind Sahib’s visit to Rajouri town.Chronicles mention that the current Gurudwara was once the home of a ‘Sehajdari’ Sikh, where Guru Sahib stayed and shared spiritual thoughts of the first Sikh Master, Guru Nanak Dev Ji.Gurudwara Shah Ji Marg, located in Pulwama, South Kashmir, 50 km from Srinagar, marks Guru Hargobind Sahib’s stay during his 1620 visit to the valley.According to chronicles, Kattu Shah, a converted Muslim and devout Sikh, had visited the Guru in Amritsar.Guru Hargobind Sahib stayed at Kattu Shah’s home during his journey to Srinagar.
While in Srinagar, a group of Sikhs brought offerings of honey to the Guru but stopped at Kattu Shah’s house, refusing to share the honey with him.When they presented the honey to the Guru, it was found spoiled and filled with worms.Guru Hargobind Sahib remarked, “This is the outcome of denying it to my Sikh, in whom the spirit of the Guru resides.”He ordered the Sikhs to return to Kattu Shah and satisfy him first.From Shah Ji Marg, Guru Hargobind Sahib moved towards Srinagar, halting at Khampur Sarai in Budgam District, where a new Gurudwara has been recently constructed.Gurudwara Chatti Patshahi, located near Kathi Darwaza in Rainawari, Srinagar, commemorates the visit of Guru Hargobind Sahib.As the story goes, an elderly blind woman, Mai Bag Bhari, who was a devout follower of Guru Hargobind Sahib, had prepared a Chola (robe) for the Guru but couldn’t travel to meet him.To fulfill her wish, Guru Sahib visited Srinagar and met her.She presented the Chola to Guru Sahib and asked for release from her mortal existence.Her wish was granted, and she passed away. Guru Sahib personally cremated her body beside the Gurudwara.

The spot where this happened still exists near the Gurudwara.Guru Hargobind Sahib stayed for a few days, fulfilling the spiritual and temporal needs of the visitors through preaching and feeding them from his ever-open kitchen.After his stay, Guru Sahib proceeded towards Baramulla.Tharra Sahib Gurudwara is located on a hill in Singhpura, about 8 km from Baramulla.According to legend, a Muslim Fakir, Bahlor Shah, and his disciples met Guru Hargobind Sahib at this location.The Guru’s divine wisdom deeply influenced Bahlor Shah and his followers.Gurudwara Chevvin Patshahi Baramulla stands on the bank of the Jhelum River in Baramulla town.After fulfilling Mai Bhag Bhari’s wish in Srinagar, Guru Hargobind Sahib, along with Emperor Jahangir, reached Baramulla.The Muslim residents of Baramulla offered Jahangir a handmade stone throne (‘Takhat’), which Jahangir gave to Guru Sahib.The Guru’s followers received his blessings while Guru Sahib sat on the ‘Takhat’ and held discussions with the people.Guru Hargobind Sahib planted a Chinar tree there, which still stands as a symbol of blessings.Those who visit the site and offer prayers are believed to have their wishes fulfilled.Gurudwara Chevvin Patshahi Sahib Parampilla, located in Uri, Baramulla District, also marks Guru Hargobind Sahib’s stay.The Guru stopped here before moving on to Muzaffarabad (now in Pakistan-administered Kashmir).The Guru traveled via Khadnyar and Peernian and stayed at Sultan Dhaki in Uri.At Parampilla, Guru Sahib met five Muslim saints, and religious discussions took place on a stone plate, which is still preserved in the Gurudwara.The Guru continued his journey, passing through Dolanga village, where the footprints of his horse are still preserved.Gurudwara Chatti Patshahi Naluchi is located near Muzaffarabad and marks the final stop of Guru Hargobind Sahib’s visit to Kashmir.Maharaja Ranjit Singh contributed to the construction of this Gurudwara, which witnessed one of the largest massacres of Sikhs during the 1947 Tribal invasion.After visiting Naluchi, Guru Hargobind Sahib completed his journey through Jammu & Kashmir.Guru Hargobind Sahib’s message to humanity emphasizes that serving the poor and oppressed is akin to serving God, a lesson that should be adopted by all to create a peaceful and blessed world.

SHEIKH NAZIR
Shykhnazir580@gmail.com