Musafir

Here we will take a quick detour from the Bahmani world to a very spiritual place which, I can say is kind of an out of place shrine. I say this as Bidar is mostly inhabited by Muslims with very few from other religions. However, this area in the town is full of Sikhs considering the fact that the one we will be visiting is one of the most holiest places for the Sikh community in India after Amritsar (in Punjab) and Nanded (in Maharashtra).

Sikhs believe Shri Guru Nanak to be an incarnation of God and has come to earth to wash of the evils in the society by way of this preaching. He was born on 15th April 1469 in a respectable family to Mata Triptaji and Mehta Kalyan Das Bedi near Lahore, Pakistan. He is said to have voiced interest in divine subjects at a tender age of five. In 1499 at the age of 30, he is said to have had a vision after which, preached people of religious harmony asked them to follow the path of God. Shri Guru Nanak later travelled extensively across India in its length and breath and also travelled to Mecca, Medina and the Arabian Peninsula. He merged with God on 22nd September 1539 at Kartarpur in Pakistan at the age of 69. Depicting religious harmony, a Samadhi (Hindu Tradition) and a Grave (Islamic Tradition) are found in the place.

Now coming to Nanak Jhira. The legend goes like this. It was in the year 1512 AD. When Shri Guru Nanak was touring South India, he visited Bidar. The area was stuck with severe famine and there was no adequate drinking water. Hearing the plight of the people, Shri Guru Nanak touched a rock with his wooden sandal and removed a stone. Pure water started flowing through the gap and has been flowing ever since.

The area is very neatly maintained and is a pleasant experience. As in any other Gurudwara, there will be a small stream of water in front of the entrance. The devotees need to step inside the water, clean their feet and enter inside. As always, there is the Guru Granth Sahib placed on an elevated and Gurbani (chanting of holy hymns) happens all day here. Kripan and daggers are placed on the platform and worshipped here.

This visit to a Gurudwara was a long standing wish of mine. I had been to places of worship of all religions, but a Gurudwara. My wish had come true visiting such a holy place. I sat here peacefully for some time, asked people of the legend associated and also had some water which had been flowing since 500 years. The water was indeed very sweet. We now move on back to the Bahmani kingdom, visiting the Chaubara.