JAṆḌ SĀHIB, GURDWĀRĀ, 3 km northwest of Gumṭī Kalāṅ, a village in Baṭhinḍā district of the Punjab, marks the site where Bhāī Rūpā (1614-1709) served Gurū Hargobind with cold water out of a leather bag hung from a jaṇḍ tree (Prosopis spicigera) and received the Gurū's blessings. Tuklāṇī village, where according to Sikh chronicles Bhāī Rūpā then lived, no longer exists. The Jaṇḍ Sāhib Gurdwārā stands 8 km due west of Bhāī Rūpā, the village founded later by the Bhāī. The main shrine, an old domed building was constructed by Mahārājā Hīrā Siṅgh (1843-1911), ruler of Nābhā state. The Gurdwārā is endowed with agricultural land and is managed by a Nihaṅg priest. Special congregations take place on the 1st of Baisākh (mid-April), 1st of Hāṛ (mid-June) and on Lohṛī coming off on the last day of Poh (mid-January), which are marked as religious festivals.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

  1. Tārā Siṅgh, Srī Gur Tīrath Saṅgrahi. Amritsar, n.d.
  2. Ṭhākar Siṅgh, Giānī, Srī Gurduāre Darshan. Amritsar, 1923
  3. Giān Siṅgh, Giānī, Twārīkh Gurduāriāṅ. Amritsar, n.d.

Major Gurmukh Siṅgh (Retd.)