GAṆḌHŪĀṄ, a village 20 km southwest of Sunām (30º-7'N, 75º-48'E) in Saṅgrūr district of the Punjab, has a historical shrine dedicated to the memory of Gurū Tegh Bahādur who visited it in the course of his travels in these parts. According to local tradition, a resident of the village, Bhāī Muglū, was a devotee of Gurū Hargobind and had shown his prowess in the battle of Mehrāj (1634). The Gurū, pleased at his devotion and valour, had invited him to ask for a boon. Bhāī Muglū said that his only wish was that he should be favoured with a glimpse of the Gurū before he breathed his last. It is said that Gurū Hargobind, after a moment's reflection, told him that this would not be possible, for Bhāī Muglū might outlive him. Yet he added that he might still see the Gurū before he died. Years rolled on, and Bhāī Muglū, old and feeble, awaited death. Gurū Tegh Bahādur, so the tradition continues, was at that moment amid a group of disciples at Bhīkhī, some 20 km to the west of Gaṇḍhūāṅ. It is said that he suddenly went into meditation, and then ordered his horse to be made ready. Riding through Dhaleo and Kāṇakvāl, he reached the house of Bhāī Muglū, who lay gasping for breath. Bhāī Muglū was overwhelmed with joy and joining his palms in reverence and, shedding tears of thankfulness, he passed away in perfect peace. Gurū Tegh Bahādur had the rites of cremation performed before returning to Bhīkhī.

         A shrine was established by the devotees marking the site east of the village where Gurū Tegh Bahādur had stood watching the cremation of his disciple. The present Mañjī Sāhib, a two-storeyed octagonal structure with a dome above, was constructed in 1937. An assembly hall, a row of rooms for officiants and pilgrims and the Gurū kā Laṅgar were added later. The Gurū Granth Sāhib is seated both in the Mañjī Sāhib and in the hall.

         The Gurdwārā owns 44 acres of land and is administered by the Shiromaṇī Gurdwārā Parbandhak Committee through a local committee. The most important annual event is the martyrdom anniversary of Gurū Tegh Bahādur.

Major Gurmukh Siṅgh (Retd.)