KHAN CHHAPRI

KHAN CHHAPRI (locally known as simply Chhapri), a small village 8 km west of Goindval (31°22`N, 75°9`E) in Amritsar district of the Punjab, was visited successively by Guru Arigad, Guru Amar Das, Guru Arjan and Guru Hargobind. Originally named Khanpur, the habitation had once been reduced to a ruined mound. During the time of Guru An gad`s stay at Khadur Sahib, as records Sarup Das Bhalla, Mahimd Prakash, once a severe drought hit the place. A yogi claiming supernatural powers and jealous of the Guru`s popularity, incited the peasants against him saying, “You honour him [Guru Arigad], a Khatri householder, as guru in preference to an ascetic like me. Now go to him for rain, or expel him from the place and I shall get you rain.” As the peasants went to the Guru, he spoke to them, “Rain and drought are by God`s Will. It cannot rain simply by my saying so.” Guru Arigad thereupon left Khadur accompanied by Bhai Buddha and made his temporary abode on the mound of Khanpur. Yet there was no rain at Khadur and the people were becoming critical of the yogi. Meanwhile, Baba (later Guru) Amar Das, who was at Goindval came to Khadur and, learning about what had happened, rebuked the peasants for their ill treatment oftlie Guru. It so happened that as the yogi was being chastised by the villagers, it began raining. Baba Amar Das and the repentant peasants came to Khanpur and escorted the Guru back to Khadur Sahib. Once during the winter season, Guru Arjan (15631606), while travelling in these parts with a few attendants, was suddenly caught in rain and storm. Bhai Hcma, poor inhabitant of Khanpur, extended the hospitality of his humble thatched hut, chhapn in Punjabi, to them. The chhapn was consecrated and Khanpur became Khan Chhapn. Guru Hargobind also visited the place on his way to the Malva. The present building of Gurdwara Chhapri Sahib, raised during the 1970`s, comprises a marblefloored liall, with the sanctum in the middle. The dome above the sanctum is lined with porcelain chips and topped with a goldplated pinnacle. In front of the hall is a spacious, marbled terrace and a small octagonal sarovar. The Gurdwara is administered by a local committee under the auspices of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. 1. Gian Singh, Giani, Twarikh Gurduarian. Amritsar, n.d.
2. Tara Singh, Sn Guru Trrnth Snngv`nhi. Kankhal, 1975 Gn.S.