Loading...
Static Image 1
Slideshow Image 1
Slideshow Image 2
Slideshow Image 3
Slideshow Image 4
Static Image 2

ForthComing Events

1740468363_babadeepsinnghji.jpg

Baba Deep Singh ji

History of Gurdwara Janamsthan Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed

According to principal sources, it was here, in village Pahuwind that Baba Deep Singh ji was born on 14 magh 1682 CE - refer Panda Vahi Kirpa Ram Prabhakar Hardwar; Gyani Gyan Singh: Raj Khalsa Satvin Misl Shaheedan Di, 1: 35; Kahn Singh Nabha, Guru Shabad Ratnakar Mahan Kosh, p. 58; Prof Raijasbir Singh, Jeevan Baba Deep Singh Shaheed, p. 7, 337; Harjinder Singh Dilgeer, Twarikh, II: 479. The entire village population, small at the time, was located on the village theh, or high ground. Possibly preceded by a dharamsal, oral tradition suggests that the first gurdwara in the village was established adjoining its habitation on high ground, within the laldori, in circa 1830 (the building has housed the village dispensary since 1983). Later, the growing village population saw two more gurdwaras appear, both outside the laldori, one each in Dane-ki-pati (circa 1915) and another in Mirze-(Bagran)-di-pati (circa 1925).

On India’s Independence, a larger common gurdwara was planned, pursuant to which Bibi Mohinder Kaur ji—who was from the lineage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s distinguished General, Sardar Bahadur Gulab Singh Pahuwidia—proved to be the principal driving force. Unanimously, the entire village including its elders and prominent citizens, together with its panchayat, selected a vacant plot measuring approximately four kanals (half-acre), enthroned the Guru Granth Sahib in a tent pitched upon it, and performed the recitation of the Akand Paath. After the bhog ceremony, on hola mohala, Saturday the 7th March 1969, the construction of the gurdwara began, duly consecrated with a foundation stone-laying ceremony. Initially, only two rooms were constructed, where now lies the sarovar, and the Guru Granth Sahib was enshrined therein.

By January 1982, on the grand occasion of Baba Deep Singh’s tricentenary (300th) birth anniversary celebrations, the darbar hall had been constructed but the Guru Granth Sahib was yet to be enshrined within. Several religious leaders graced the occasion and expressed concern at the small-sized plot and the diminutive infrastructure. At the time, donation for construction was fixed at a paltry 10kg wheat @ acre of land holding of village residents. Appreciating that Baba Deep Singh ji’s birthplace (janamsthan) was likely to attract huge footfall in the coming years, a decision was taken to canvass the assistance of a karsewak, and to this end, village elders appealed to the Mahakarsewak, Baba Kharak Singh ji of Bir Baba Budha Sahib, who very kindly acceded to their request and, a few days later in March 1982, paid a visit to the gurdwara. Having assured him of their full support and cooperation, village residents began to voluntary place currency notes as per their financial standing on the very rug upon which Baba Kharak Singh ji was seated. Thus began the construction of the gurdwara in right earnest under the aegis of Hon’ble Baba Kharak Singh ji. By January 1984, the darbar hall had been completed, Guru Granth Sahib enthroned therein, and a golden finial placed upon its dome. After the demise of Baba Kharak Singh ji, the responsibility for karsewa passed to Baba Darshan Singh for a few years.

On Baba Deep Singh ji’s birth anniversary celebrations in January 1993, the foundation stone of the sarovar (sacred pool) was laid and, by Vaisakhi in April that year, the pool was ready for use by pilgrims. At this juncture, the village panchayat along with several families from the village donated land to the gurdwara, significantly adding to its acreage. Later, more land was purchased by the gurdwara from offerings. In 2003, the karsewa passed to Bhai Guriqbal Singh of Bibi Kaulan Bhalai Kendra Trust, Amritsar. Among his first tasks in collaboration with the sangat was the commissioning of a gilt-covered palki with 1kg 900 grams of 24 carat gold that cost Rs 18.36 lacs at the time.

The darbar hall was expanded in 2007 to accommodate the increasing pilgrim footfall. In 2013-14, guest accommodation was constructed, followed by the grandiose Diwan Hall in 2016-2024. Several other projects are under development. Until 1986, the nishaan sahib was only 40 feet high. Baba Kharak Singh ji replaced it with one 100 feet in height. Later, Bhai Guriqbal Singh installed one measuring 125 feet. In 1994, ‘Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Foundation (Registered Trust)’ was instituted which is responsible to run the gurdwara and all its ancillary activities which truly represent Baba Deep Singh ji as the quintessential sant-sipahi and the binary of ‘bhagti’ and ‘shakti’.

ਮੁਖਵਾਕ
ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਪਹੂਵਿੰਡ ਸਾਹਿਬ
ਰਾਜ ਕਪਟੰ ਰੂਪ ਕਪਟੰ ਧਨ ਕਪਟੰ ਕੁਲ ਗਰਬਤਹ ॥ ਸੰਚੰਤਿ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਛਲੰ ਛਿਦ੍ਰੰ ਨਾਨਕ ਬਿਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਸੰਗਿ ਨ ਚਾਲਤੇ ॥੧॥ ਪੇਖੰਦੜੋ ਕੀ ਭੁਲੁ ਤੁੰਮਾ ਦਿਸਮੁ ਸੋਹਣਾ ॥ ਅਢੁ ਨ ਲਹੰਦੜੋ ਮੁਲੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਥਿ ਨ ਜੁਲਈ ਮਾਇਆ ॥੨॥ ਪਉੜੀ ॥ ਚਲਦਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ਨ ਚਲੈ ਸੋ ਕਿਉ ਸੰਜੀਐ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਕਹੁ ਕਿਆ ਜਤਨੁ ਜਿਸ ਤੇ ਵੰਜੀਐ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਬਿਸਰਿਐ ਕਿਉ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਾਵੈ ਨਾ ਮਨੁ ਰੰਜੀਐ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਛੋਡਿ ਅਨ ਲਾਗੈ ਨਰਕਿ ਸਮੰਜੀਐ ॥ ਹੋਹੁ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲ ਦਇਆਲ ਨਾਨਕ ਭਉ ਭੰਜੀਐ ॥੧੦॥