Sri Patna Sahib is the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh Ji who was
born on 22nd December in the year 1666. Guru Gobind Singh Ji spent
his early years here before moving to Anandpur. Patna was also honoured
by visits from Guru Nanak as well as Guru Tegh Bahadur.
The Harmandir Takht, the gurudwara that commemorates Guru Gobind
Singh, is a sacred place of pilgrimage for the Sikhs and is considered
as the second holiest Takht. To the Sikhs this holy place is reverentially
known as Patna Sahib. Regarded as one of the holiest of the five
takhts, it is situated in one of the old quarters of Patna City.
The place once known as Kucha Farrukh Khan is now known as Harmandir
Gali.
Salis Rai Johri, a great devotee of Guru Nanak was so much influenced
by his teachings that he converted his opulent haveli into a dharamshala
where Guru Tegh Bahadur also stayed. This is the place where the
holy shrine of Harmandir Sahib is now located. The work of reconstructing
the Harmandir in 1839 following destruction by fire was started
by Maharaja Ranjit Singh started who did not survive to see the
new structure. In 1934, when an earthquake rocked the entire Bihar
some portion of Harmandir fell down. Construction of the present
building was taken up on November 19, 1954 and was completed in
about three years.
Quite a few relics of the Guru Gobind Singh Ji are also preserved
in this shrine that include a 'pangura' (cradle) with four stands
covered with golden plates, four iron arrows, sacred sword of
the Master and a pair of his sandals. 'Hukamnamas', the written
orders of Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Tegh Bahadur contained in
a book are also kept in this holy Gurudwara.
The holy place of the Sikhs has grown up at Jhauganj (Chowk)
of Old Patna around the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh.
A museum with Sikh dynasty in painting, footwear of Guru, swing
and many other articles can be seen at the ground floor.
|