BHAROANA

BHAROANA or Bhairoana, a small village 16 km southwest of Sultan pur Lodhi (31°13`N, 75°12`E) in the Punjab, is the place where at the close of the fifteenth century lived Bhai Phiranda, a piousminded musician who also manufactured the stringed instrument called rabab or rebeck. Guru Nanak, before setting out from Sultanpur Lodhi on his extensive travels to deliver his message, sent Bhai Mardana to buy a rabab from Phiranda. Phiranda produced the instrument but, on learning as to who had ordered it, refused to accept any money for it.

A memorial shrine was constructed where Bhai Phiranda had lived, which became the centre of an annual fair held on the tenth of the dark half of the lunar month of Assu (September-October). A handsome gurdwara, named Gurdwara Rababsar Sahib, has since been raised by the followers of Sant Gurmukh Singh. It comprises a highceilinged hall, with a square sanctum in the centre where the Guru Granth Sahib is seated. The building is topped by a goldplated pinnacle and an umbrellashaped finial. Domed kiosks adorn the hallcorners. The old fair remains the principal annual festival.

References :

1. Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth. Amritsar, 1926-37