KOT DHARMU

KOT DHARMU, village 13 km south of the district town Mansa (29°59`N, 75°23`E), in the Punjab, has a historical shrine, Gurdwara Sulisar Sahib Patshahi Nauvin, commemorating the visit of Guru Tegh Bahadur. According to the Sakhl Pothi, Guru Tegh Bahadur stopped here near a pool on his way back from Talvandi Sabo. During the night two thieves broke into the camp and stole the Guru`s horse. But as they led the animal away, they felt they could see nothing. They were thus easily apprehended by the Sikhs the next morning. Brought before the Guru, they confessed their misdeed. Guru Tegh Bahadur said, “Why did you come to steal during the night? Take what you desire now.” But the thieves overcome by remorse replied, “Our only wish now is to take the punishment in accordance with our deserts.” As they were passing through a thorny thicket over a mound near by, one of them killed himself running against a dry splintered branch of J“and tree (Prosopis spicigera). Devotees later established a memorial platform and called the place Sulisar {suH in Punjabi means a cross or a stake). A small Manji Sahib subsequently constructed over this platform still exists. Here is seated Guru Granth Sahib. Special gatherings take place on the tenth of the brighter half of each lunar month as well as on the first of every Bikrami month. An annual fair is held on the last day of Poh (midJanuary). The Gurdwara is affiliated to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. A grand new building has come up since. 1. Malva Desh Ratan di Sdkhi Pothi. Amritsar, 1968
2. Tara Singh, Sri Gum Tirath Sangrahi. Kankhal, 1975.