BILGĀ, village 14 km west of Phillaur (31º-1'N, 75º-47'E) in the Punjab, is sacred to Gurū Arjan, who passed through it in June 1589 on his way to Mau where he got married. According to local tradition, Bilgā was then a small settlement of only a few huts. The Gurū changed his apparel here and gave away the discarded articles to the poor hut dwellers who, it is said, preserved them as sacred relics. These are now exhibited in Gurdwārā Pañjvīṅ Pātshāhī located inside the village. They include a gown, a pair of trousers, a scarf, a handkerchief, a shawl, a purse, a small rosary and a low stool fitted with a brass sheet. The Gurdwārā, built on high ground, comprises a dīvān hall, with the sanctum at the far end where the Gurū Granth Sāhib is seated. Besides the relics, large sized paintings depicting scenes from Sikh history are also on display. The Gurdwārā is administered by the Shiromaṇī Gurdwārā Parbandhak Committee through a local committee. A largely attended fair from 18 to 20 Hāṛ (early July) commemorates Gurū Arjan's visit.

Major Gurmukh Siṅgh (Retd.)