BISHAN SINGH, SANT

BISHAN SINGH, SANT (1862-1949), much honoured in recent Sikh piety, was the son of Bhai Atar Singh of Kanjhia, a village 18 km northwest of Sarigrur (30°14`N, 75°50`E) in the Punjab. Born in March 1862, Bishan Singh received instruction in reciting Scripture from Sant Jagat Singh of his own village. As he grew up he enlisted in the army, but did not serve long. Back in his village after getting his discharge, he married and had a son, whose death at the age of 13 years proved a severe blow.

He left home to seek spiritual solace at the feet of Sant Atar Singh of Mastuana, and served him at Gur Sagar (Mastuana) and Guru Kashi (Talvandi Sabo).In 1935, he became the head of the centre founded by Sant Atar Singh after the death of Sant Gulab Singh (also originally from Kanjhia) who had held the office since the passing away in 1927 of the founder. Sant Bishan Singh completed in 1936-37 the present building of the historical Gurdwara Jhira Sahib at Kanjhia, whose foundation had been laid by Sant Atar Singh himself as early as 1912. Sant Bishan Singh died in 1949 at a place called Kothi Baleval. His death anniversary is observed with much religious fervour in the month of August every year.

References :

1. Visakha Singh, Sant, Malva Itihas. Kishanpura, 1954
2. Balwant Singh, Giani, Agam Agadh Purakh Shriman Pujya Sant Atar Singh Ji Maharaj Mastuane Va/iari da Sampuran Jivan Charittar. Mastuana, 1983
3. Teja Singh, Jivan Katha Gurmukh Piare Sant Atar Singh Ji Maharaj. Patiala, 1970