PANJOKHARA

PANJOKHARA,   a village about 10 km from Ambala city (30° 23`N, 76° 47`E), is sacred to Guru Har Krishan. Gurdwara Sri Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji, about 150 metres east of the village and commonly called Gurdwara Parijokhara Sahib, commemorates his stay here in early 1664. Summoned by Emperor Aurarigzib, the Guru had left Kiratpur for Delhi on Basant Parichami (the fifth day of the light half of the lunar month of Magh) of Sam vat 1720 Bikrami, corresponding to 22 January 1664. A large number of Sikhs accompanied the Guru and many more joined them on the way.

They all wished to travel with him to Delhi. As they reached Panjokhara on the third day, Guru Har Krishan raised with his own hands a small flag on a sandy mound and asked his Sikhs not to follow him beyond the line of the flag. The Sikhs obeyed and stayed back with a heavy heart. A learned but self conceited Brahman of Panjokhara, Lal Chand alias Laiji Pandit, came to see the Guru and spoke with derision: “It is said that you sit on the gaddi of Guru Nanak. But what do you know of the old religious books?” Chhaj[ju, the illiterate, dark skinned village water carrier, happened to pass by at that moment.

Guru Har Krishan had him called in. As Chhajyu came, the Guru asked him to explain to the Pandit the gist of the Bhagavadgita. The illiterate villager astonished everyone by his cogent commentary on the sacred book. Laiji was humbled and he fell at the Master`s feet. A small memorial was established to mark the site where the Guru had stayed. It was later replaced by a gurdvdrd. The present sanctum is a square double storeyed domed structure with circum ambulation galleries at both floors. The sacred pool within an enclosure, is on the left of the main building, and the complex containing Guru ka Langar and rooms for pilgrims is on the right side of it.

The large refectory adjoining the Langar was added in 1977. The Gurdwara is managed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee through a local committee. A large number of devotees from Ambala and the neighbouring villages attend Sunday morning divans and partake of the community meal. An annual fair is held on Magh sudi 7, 8, and 9 (January-February) to mark the days on which Guru Har Krishan was in Panjokhara during his visit in 1664.

References:

1. Gian Singh, Giani, Twarikh Gurduarian. Amritsar, n.d.
2. Narotam, Tara Singh, Sri Guru Tirath Sangrahi. Kankhal, 1975