Gurdwara Nankana Sahib : The Birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Imagine a small peaceful village named Rai Bhoe Di Talwandi, back in 1469, where infant Nanak was born to father Mehta Kalu Ji and mother Tripta ji. That village is now known by the name of Nankana Sahib, and is situated in modern day Pakistan. At the heart of this village stands Gurdwara Janam Asthan, one of the most holiest shrines in Sikhism, marking the spot where Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born, began his early life, studied and played there and began his journey of wisdom and compassion.

HISTORY OF GURUDWARA SRI NANKANA SAHIB

Nankana Sahib was earlier known by the name of Rai Bhoe Di Talwandi. The small town "Rai Bhoe Di Talwandi", was named after the Zamindar of the estate, Rai Bhular, who was a Rajput muslim noble of the Bhatti clan. The town Nankana Sahib holds multiple gurdwaras dedicated to pivotal events from Guru Nanak's life, including Gurdwara Janam Asthan, where he was born, Gurdwara Patti Sahib where he studied and Gurdwara Sri Kiara Sahib, associated with miracles. The word Nankana is derived from "Nanak Ka Aana".

According to Janam Sakhi accounts, Rai Bhular ji had great devotion for the young Nanak. He always perceived the Divine truth in young Guru Nanak. After Bebe Nanaki (Guru Nanak's elder sister), Rai Bhular was the second person in the village to become devotee of Guru Nanak. On one occasion, when Rai Bhular rode out on a horseback to have a look on his fields, he came across Mehta Kalu Ji who was in search of his son. Rai Bhular looked around the area, where Nanak usually brought his herd to. Rai Bhular spotted Guru Nanak lying on the ground and a cobra with its hood open that casted a dark shadow over Nanak's face. Later Rai Bhular thought and realized that the cobra had been offering protection to young Nanak from the scorching rays of the sun. Rai Bhular told the father Mehta Kalu that his son is a divine spirit.

Guru Nanak also reciprocated Rai Bhular's devotion and used to visit him, in between his Udasis. Even when Rai Bhular was on his death bed, Guru Nanak Dev Ji was on his bedside. Rai Bhular choose to gift his estate Rai Bhoe Di Talwandi, to Guru Nanak. It is on this land, where Mahta Kalu ji's home stood, where Nanak was born and today Gurudwara Janam Asthan Sri Nankana Sahib is built in that honour and memory.

Today there are 7 historical Gurudwara in the town Nankana Sahib, Pakistan.

1) Gurudwara Sri Nankana Sahib

Gurudwara Sri Nankana Sahib which is also known by the name of Gurudwara Janam Asthan, is built at the place where the house of Mehta Kalu ji and Mata Tripta ji stood. This was the house where Guru Nanak was born. First a one room structure was built by Baba Dharam Chand ji (grandson of Guru Nanak) and this structure was known as "Kalu Ka Kotha" which translates to "House Of Kalu".

The Gurdwara itself is an architectural marvel, constructed with a blend of traditional Sikh elements and modern design. It is crowned with a large dome and adorned with intricately carved walls, which add to its grandeur. The main sanctum of Gurdwara Janam Asthan houses Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the eternal scripture of Sikhism. Pilgrims gather here to listen to kirtan (devotional hymns) and immerse themselves in the peaceful atmosphere of the shrine. The sound of prayers and the sight of people bowing in reverence creates a feeling of unity and devotion, reminding visitors of Guru Nanak’s teachings on equality, love, and selfless service.

2) Gurudwara Sri Bal Lila Sahib

Gurudwara Sri Bal Lila Sahib was originally built by Rai Bhular in memory of where young Nanak used to play with his friends in the village playground. Here at this place, the young Nanak assembled with his friends not only to play childhood games but sometimes also lead them as a holy saint sitting in meditation. This Gurudwara is located only 300 metres away from Gurudwara Janamasthan.

3) Gurudwara Sri Patti Sahib

As a child, Guru Nanak Dev Ji studied Punjabi from Pandit Gopal, Sanskrit from Pandit Brij Lal and then learnt Persian from Maulvi Kutab-Ud-Din. Gurudwara Sri Patti Sahib is at the place where education was imparted to young Nanak. So Patti Sahib is also known as Gurudwara Maulvi Patti Sahib. Patti is a wooden board on which children learnt to write alphabets with a pen made of a soft stem.

4) Gurudwara Sri Kiara Sahib

According to Janamsakhi accounts, once a farmer complained to Rai Bhular that Guru Nanak's cattles had damaged all the crops in the field, but when Rai Bhular sent someone to inspect the field, no damage was found. The field was all green. The people of the town considered it a miracle and that field came to be known as Gurudwara Kiara Sahib.

5) Gurudwara Sri Mal Ji Sahib Nankana

Bhai Bala wali janam sakhi states that when Guru Nanak Dev Ji was resting in a field, a cobra spread its hood over young Nanak's face protecting it from scorching sun rays. Rai Bhular witnessed this incident and considered it as a miracle. In memory of this incident, stands Gurudwara Sri Mal Ji Sahib. Rai Bhular was convinced of Guru Nanak's spiritual eminence and became his devotee.

6) Gurudwara Sri Tambu Sahib Nankana

One day, Guru Nanak ji's father gave him some money to do business and sent him with Bhai Bala to Chuharkhana ( a market). On the way, Guru Nanak found holy men who were hungry, so he fed those people with the money obtained from his father. Guru Nanak knew that this incident will make his father angry so he hesitated to go back and hid himself under a tree whose branches touched the ground giving it an appearance of Tamu or a tent. Gurudwara Sri Tambu Sahib stands at the place where Guru Nanak hid himself under the tree.

7) Gurudwara Sri Guru Arjan Ate Guru Hargobind Sahib

Near Gurudwara Tambu Sahib, there are 2 more Gurudwaras in Nankana Sahib that are not related directly to Guru Nanak. The 2 Gurudwaras are Gurudwara Sri Guru Arjan Ate Guru Hargobind Sahib, both of them share a common boundary wall. The Gurudwara of Guru Arjan Dev Ji is built without a dome whereas Gurudwara Hargobind Ji is built with a dome. When Guru Hargobind Ji was returning from Kashmir in the month of Har Samvat 1670 (1613 AD), he stayed at this place. The tree under which Guru Hargobind Ji stayed has disappeared but a piece of that tree has been preserved in a glass case.