Part 4 : Historical Sikh Shrines in Pakistan

Panja Sahib

During Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Udasi, they along with Bhai Mardana Ji arrived at this site where Bhai Mardana Ji was thirsty. At the top of the hill behind Guru Ji's campsite, there lived a Pit called Baba Wali Kandhari. His last name referred to his origins in Kandhar, Afghanistan. Other than having a better vantage point from where he could see all that happened in the village below, Baba Kandhari also had the advantage of having a spring of fresh water nearby. The spring was also the only source of water for the people down below. When Guru Mahraj came to this area, a lot of devotees came to do their Darshan which annoyed Wali Kandhari. When Bhai Mardana Ji was thirsty, Guru Ji sent him three times to Wali Kandhari to ask for water. Wali Kandhari refused to give water to Bhai Mardana ji each time and refused them rudely. He also said that "If your Guru is so powerful, can't he provide you water himself?"

Guru Ji then hit the ground with their walking stick and a spring of fresh out emerged out of it which quenched the thirst of Bhai Mardana Ji. Even until today, the water is still coming out of the site that Guru Ji hit with their stick which is why this whole area is surrounded by a Sarovar. Vali Kandhari saw all this from the hilltop and was surprised and angry when he discovered that his own spring had meanwhile dried up. In anger, he pushed a huge boulder down the hill in the direction of Guru Ji.

But Guru Nanak Ji Mahraj stayed calm and continued sitting where they were. When the boulder came close, Guru Ji calmly raised their right hand where the boulder pushed against their hand and stopped. Their hand got imprinted on the boulder as if pressed on a wax. Their imprinted hand is still present today at Gurdwara Panja Sahib where sanggat worldwide comes to do Darshan. Vali Kandhari later apologised to Guru Mahraj and was blessed by Guru ji.

Yatris that comes for Panja Sahib yatra usually also climbs the mountain that Bhai Mardana Ji climbed to ask Vali Kandhari for water. Vali Kandhari’s samadh is built at the top. You also get to see a good panoramic view of Hasan Abdal from the top.

Rohtas

Gurdwara Choa Sahib, Jhelum, Pakistan.

This asthan is on a very historical site. When Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj was returning back from Khandar, they stopped at this place. At that time, a Sikh named Bhai Bhagtu Ji did sewa of Guru Ji with utmost Sharda and attained happiness of Guru Ji. At that time, this area did not have drinkable water. In doing Parupkar to the whole village, Bhai Bhagtu Ji requested Guru Ji for clean water. Guru Ji granted his request by lifting a stone and clean water flowed out which was contained in a small pound. Even until today, fresh waters flows out from this Sarovar. The asthan is called Choa Sahib because Choa is a local name for spring. Even today, the water is used by all the residents of Rohtas fort near this area.

About 25 years later, Sher Shah Suri built the Rohtas fort adjacent to this asthan using water from this place too. Despite of his 3 trials to get the spring of water into thr fort, it failed because the water sprang out of it each time. Guru Hargobind Ji Maharaj later also visited this asthan.

How is this asthan related to Mata Sahib Devaan Ji?

Matajis house is near to this asthan. Mata Ji is from the family of ਬੱਸੀ (Bassi). The elders of the Bassi family used to come to this asthan and do sewa. Mata Jis parents (Bhai Ramu Ji and Mata Jasdevi Ji) also used to come to this asthan, do sewa and also do Ardas for an "Avtar" to be born in their house as they did not have a child for a long time. When Mata Jasdevi Ji was finally blessed with a child (who will then grow to be the Mother of the Khalsa), they were extremely grateful and kept doing Sewa at this asthan. Since the child was obtained from Sri Guru Nanak dev Jis asthan here, they named her Sahib Devi (Sahib ne diti/devi).

Guru Nanak Dev Ji also gave teachings to some detached devotees here to have patience and contentment by staying in Hukam and not complaining.

The @ranjitnagara team did an amazing Sewa of the Asthan’s restoration while preserving the original look. Source of information for the history of Choa Sahib and its relation to Mata Ji is from the biography of Mata Ji "Pavittar Jeevan".