RARA

RARA, village 16 km from Doraha (30° 48`N, 76° 2`E) in Ludhiana district, is sacred to Guru Hargobind. According to local tradition, the Guru, when out for the chase during his stay at Ghurani in 1631, would sometimes halt for rest under a banyan tree here. The tree withered away in course of time, but the spot continued to be held in reverence. Maharani Jasvant Kaur, widow of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, got the present Gurdwara Patshahi Chhevin constructed in 1941.

She also bought and donated two and a half acres of land for its maintenance. Kardh prasdd is still offered on her behalf every morning. The building consists of a small cubicle, called Manji Sahib, marking the exact spot where the Guru would sit and relax, and a rectangular hall surrounded by a verandah. The Guru Granth Sahib is seated in the hall. Rooms for Guru ka Larigar are on a flank across the brick paved compound. The Gurdwara is managed by the village sangat, with occasional donations from the Maharani and the family of her brother, Sardar Gian Singh Rarewala.

Even the present granthi is an old servant of the family who still provide for his maintenance. Hola Mohalla is the major annual festival. A famous saintly personality of modern day was Sant Ishar Singh of Rara. He made the village known far and wide by his association with it and by his prolonged kirtan soirees. He had a strong, resounding voice and his kirtan attracted vast audiences of devotees. Rara in his day was an active seat of Sikh religious preaching and awakening. It drew and continues to draw devotees from distant parts including U.K. where Sant Ishar Singh ended his earthly journey in 1975.

References :

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