KOLAYAT

KOLAYAT, popularly pronounced Kulait, a town 52 km southwest of Bikaner (28″04`N, 73021`E), is famous for a temple dedicated to Kapila Muni, an ancient Hindu sage to whom the Sankhya system of philosophy is attributed. According to Sikh chroniclers, Guru Nanak visited Kolayat. Guru Gobind Singh, at the time of his travels through Rajasthan, is said to have stayed here for twelve days. Here Bhai Daya Singh and Bhai Dharam Singh, who had been to Ahmadnagar to deliver to Emperor Aurahgzib the Zafamamah, the Guru`s letter in Persian verse, rejoined him. However, no Sikh shrine existed here until 1968 when some Sikh residents of the area, led by a Sikh colonizer of Kolayat, acquired a plot of land and constructed a Gurudwara. The Gurudwara is a modest oneroom building with a paved platform all around it. Sikh settlers of the surrounding area gather to celebrate Guru Nanak`s birth anniversary on the fullmoon day of Kartik (OctoberNovember) every year. 1. Gian Singh, Giani, Twankh Gurduaridn. Amritsar, n.d.
2. Tara Singh, Sri Gum Tirafh Sang^-nhi. Kankhal, 1975 M.G.S.