NĀNAK MATĀ in Pīlībhīt district of Uttar Pradesh is sacred to Gurū Nānak and Gurū Hargobind. In old times, it was the home of the Siddha yogīs. It was named Gorakh Matā after their principal teacher Gorakhnāth. During his encounter with yogīs, Gurū Nānak had expatiated on the value of the householder's way, and an Udāsī Sikh, Almast by name, had set up a missionary seat on that spot. The place was visited by Sixth Gurū, Gurū Hargobind, as well. In modern times, one of the local Nawābs, made a liberal land grant to the shrine. The present Gurdwārā is managed by a committee of prominent local Sikhs. It has a magnificent four-storey domed building in a huge compound with ancillary buildings for staff and pilgrims. A sarovar, Nānak Sāgar, has been formed by damming the adjoining stream Deohā.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

  1. Tarā Siṅgh, Srī Gur Tīrath Saṅgrahi. Amritsar, n.d.
  2. Ṭhākar Siṅgh, Giānī, Srī Gurduāre Darshan. Amritsar, 1923
  3. Giān Siṅgh, Giānī, Twārīkh Gurū Khālsā [Reprint]. Patiala, 1970

Major Gurmukh Siṅgh (Retd.)