PHARVAHI

PHARVAHI, a village 5 km southeast of Barnala (30°22`N, 75°32`E) in Sangrur district of the Punjab, has a historical gurdwara dedicated to Guru Tegh Bahadur who, according to local tradition, arrived here from Katlu in 1665 and stayed overnight. It is said that when the sangat requested the Guru to leave someone behind to instruct them in the way of true worship, he replied that from the village itself would arise such a dedicated spirit. The people believe that the person alluded to was Bhai Sobha Singh who first established, in 1750, a gurdwara on the site consecrated by Guru Tegh Bahadur`s stay, and who served it for 60 years.

His disciple and successor was Baba Thamman Singh. Widely known for his piety, he was extremely outspoken. Once in his eccentricity he not only prophesied the extinction of Sikh states at the hands of the Russians but also held illuminations to celebrate the “occasion.” When the news reached Maharaja Karam Singh, the ruler of Patiala in whose territory Pharvahl then lay, he had Thamman Singh`s tongue slashed and banished him from his lerritorv. However, the derd named after him at Pharvahl still exists.

Gurdwara Sahib Patshahi Nauvi, at the northern edge of the village, continued to be maintained by the village sangat. The original building constructed by Bhai Sobha Singh had a hall with a square sanctum added to it. In recent years the Manji Sahib has been replaced by a low ceiling hall. The Gurdwara has 28 acres of land and is administered by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee through a local committee.

References :

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