GANDHUAN

GANDHUAN, a village 20 km southwest of Sunam (30°7`N, 75°48`E) in Sangrur district of the Punjab, has a historical shrine dedicated to the memory of Guru Tegh Bahadur who visited it in the course of his travels in these parts. According to local tradition, a resident of the village, Bhai Muglu, was a devotee of Guru Hargobind and had shown his prowess in the battle of Mehraj (1634). The Guru, pleased at his devotion and valour, had invited him to ask for a boon. Bhai Muglu said that his only wish was that he should be favoured with a glimpse of the Guru before he breathed his last.

It is said that Guru Hargobind, after a moment`s reflection, told him that this would not be possible, for Bhal Muglu might outlive him. Yet he added that he might still see the Guru before he died. Years rolled on, and Bhai Muglu, old and feeble, awaited death. Guru Tegh Bahadur, so the tradition continues, was at that moment amid a group of disciples at Bhikhi, some 20 km to the west of Gandhuan. It is said that he suddenly went into meditation, and then ordered his horse to be made ready.

Riding through Dhaleo and Kanakval, he reached the house of Bhai Muglu, who lay gasping for breath. Bhai Muglu was overwhelmed with joy and joining his palms in reverence and, shedding tears of thankfulness, he passed away in perfect peace. Guru Tegh Bahadur had the rites of cremation performed before returning to Bhikhi. A shrine was established by the devotees marking the site east of the village where Guru Tegh Bahadur had stood watching the cremation of his disciple. The present Manji Sahib, a twostoreyed octagonal structure with a dome above, was constructed in 1937.

An assembly hall, a row of rooms for officiants and pilgrims and the Guru ka Larigar were added later. The Guru Granth Sahib is seated both in the Manji Sahib and in the hall. The Gurdwara owns 44 acres of land and is administered by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee through a local committee. The most important annual event is the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.