DHAMTAN, a large village in Jind district of Haryana, is sacred to Guru Tegh Bahadur. He visited it first in 1665 in the course of his travels through Malva and Bangar territories. Chaudhari Daggo, who was a cattle lifter and lived on plunder, came with pitchers full of milk, but the Guru declined the offering saying that he would not take what was not honestly earned. Daggo asked forgiveness for his past misdeeds and promised to abide by the Guru`s teaching. Guru Tegh Bahadur gave him funds to construct a well and a dharamsala for the travellers.
While at Dhamtan, Guru Tegh Bahadur was pleased with the devoted service of his loyal Sikh, Bhai Mihan. He bestowed on him a kettle, a drum and a flag, and appointed him to look after the sangat or community in that area. According to some chroniclers, Guru Tegh Bahadur was first arrested near Dhamtan in 1665 and taken to Delhi where, however, he was released at the intervention of Kanvar Ram Singh, son of Mirza RajaJai Singh, of Amber (Jaipur), and allowed to continue his journey towards the east.
Dhamtan became the most important centre of Sikh faith in the Bangar region. Later, when this area became part of Patiala state, a large endowment was made for the shrine commemorating the visits of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The present complex was constructed by Maharaja Karam Singh of Patiala (1798-1845). The building is in the form of a large haveli. A high arched gateway with massive wooden doors leads to the outer compound from which another heavy gate opens into an inner courtyard.
The sanctum representing the actual spot where Guru Tegh Bahadur had put up is on the left. Constructed in the inner courtyard in the traditional style, the Manji Sahib is a domed square room on a high plinth, the interior walls being decorated with floral designs in colour. The Guru Granth Sahib is seated on a high platform in the centre. The haveli is flanked by the village pond a part of which has been enclosed and converted into a bathing tank. The shrine is managed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Two important festivals celebrated are Hola and Dussehra which are attended by a large number of devotees from the neighbouring villages and towns. Dhamtan itself has very few Sikh families.
References :
1. Malva Desh Ratan di Sakhi Pothi. Amritsar, 1968
2. Tara Singh, Sri Gur Tirath Sangrahi. Amritsar, n.d.
3. Thakar Singh, Giani, Sn Gurduare Darshan. Amri tsar, 1923
