ḌHILVĀṄ KALĀṄ, village 5 km southeast of Koṭ Kapūrā (30º-35'N, 74º-49'E) in Farīdkoṭ district of the Punjab, was the abode of Soḍhī Kaul, shortened from Kaulnain, a descendant of Gurū Arjan's elder brother, Prithī Chand, and thus a collateral relation of Gurū Gobind Siṅgh. According to Bhāī Santokh Siṅgh, Srī Gur Pratāp Sūraj Granth, Gurū Gobind Siṅgh, displeased at Chaudharī Kapūrā's refusal to assist him in warding off the pursuing army from Sirhind, left Koṭ Kapūrā and came to Ḍhilvāṅ Kalāṅ, where Soḍhī Kaul and his four sons received him with honour. Here, at the suggestion of Soḍhī Kaul, the Gurū discarded the blue attire he had put on at Māchhīvāṛā as a disguise. Gurdwārā Godāvarīsar, marking the site where Gurū Gobind Siṅgh had put up, is situated on a low mound about 250 metres northwest of the village. It is a small domed room where the Gurū Granth Sāhib is seated. Besides the daily services, special dīvāns take place on the first of each Bikramī month. Baisākhī is the major annual festival.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

  1. Santokh Siṅgh, Bhāī, Srī Gur Pratāp Sūraj Granth. Amritsar, 1926-37
  2. Tārā Siṅgh, Srī Gur Tīrath Saṅgrahi. Amritsar, n. d.
  3. Ṭhākar Siṅgh, Giānī, Srī Gurduāre Darshan. Amritsar, 1923

Major Gurmukh Siṅgh (Retd.)