VADALI GURU

VADALI GURU, village 7 km west of Amritsar (3P38N, 74Â°53`E), is sacred to Guru Arjan and Guru Hargobind. The former, according to Gurbilas Chhevm Patshahl, stayed here for about three years during 1594-97, and the latter was born here on 19 June 1595. There are three historical gurdwaras in Vadali Guru. GURDWARA JANAMASTHAN PATSHAHi CHHEVIN, also known as Atari Sahib, marks the house where Guru Arjan lived and where Guru Hargobind was born.

The present building constructed by Baba Kharak Singh Sevavale during the 1960`s, comprises a highceilinged hall, with a square sanctum at one end and a gallery at midheight on three sides. A room in the basement called Bhora Sahib is believed to be the site of the room wherein Guru Hargobind was born. Above the sanctum are four other storeys topped by a lotus dome with a tall goldplated pinnacle. GURDWARA MANJI SAHIB, 200 metres south of Atari Sahib, marks the spot where Guru Arjan used to sit supervising the work of Bhai Sahari, a Sikh tilling land the produce of which went to the Guru ka Langar.

An irrigation well got dug by Guru Arjan, though no longer in use, still exists. The present building, a square domed room in the middle of a brickpaved terrace, was constructed in 1980`s by the descendants of Bhai Sahari, who manage the Gurdwara. GURDWARA DAMDAMA SAHIB, 300 metres south of the village, is dedicated to Guru Hargobind, who, according to Gurbilas Chhevm Patshahl, once visited Vadali at the suggestion of Bhai Bhana, and during the chase killed a wild boar at the spot now marked by this shrine. Gurdwara Janam Asthan and Damdama Sahib are affiliated to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and are managed by the same local committee as administers Gurdwara Chheharta Sahib, one kilometre to the northwest of Vadali.

References :

1. Narotam, Tara Singh, Sri Guru Tirath Sangrahi. Kankhal, 1975
2. Thakar Singh, Giani, Sri Gurduare Darshan. Amritsar, 1923
3. Gian Singh, Giani, Twarikh Gurduarian. Amritsar, n.d