MANAK CHAND JIVARA, a Patharia Khatri of the village of Vairoval, now in Amritsar district of the Punjab, was a devoted Sikh of the time of Guru Amar Das. He lovingly contributed the labour of his hands to digging the Baoli, or open well with steps going down to water level, at Goindval. In the course of digging, Sikhs came across a stratum of hard rock. As the last layer was in the end pierced, water suddenly gushed forth drowning Manak Chand who had struck the final blow. There was great commotion among the Sikhs standing around the well.
They seized Manak Chand`s body as the water subsided, and carried it to Guru Amar Das. Everyone except the Guru took him for dead. Manak Ghand did survive and the Guru blessed him calling him Jivara, the living one. He was made head of a manji or head of a religious seat. His descendants living in Vairoval are still called Jivaras.
References :
1. Bhalla, Sarup Das, Mahima Prakash. Patiala, 1971
2. Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Cur Pratdp Suraj Granth. Amritsar, 1927-35
3. MacaulilTe, M.A., The Sikh Religion. Oxford, 1909
