Dr. Mehal Singh and Havaldar Surjan Singh were brothers and belonged to village Bhatolian. They sold their agricultural land and went and purchased land in the state of Uttar Pardesh. They purchased six MURABBAS of agricultural land in UP. Both the brothers were staunch followers of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj. They loved and respected him a lot.
The purchased land was registered at the Registrar’s office. Out of the six MURABBAS, two MURABBAS were registered in the name of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj. They felt that in this manner they would be benefited with the visit of Sant Baba ji to their village in UP. They sincerely wished that Sant Baba ji should come and bless them for the agricultural work they had started at a new place.
Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj had no attraction for the land for which he had been made the owner. He however, decided to go to UP on the repeated requests of his followers. In the year 1952, Sant ji Maharaj visited UP.
Sant Baba ji stayed in the area of Kashipur in the village known as Munshi Gardhiya.
Munshi Gardhiya is the only village in UP whose entire population comprises of Sikh families. All the residents of this village earlier belonged to Punjab.
This area was a jungle and one could see wild animals like lion, cheetah etc but now with the hard work of the people, this area is full of green vegetation. Sugarcane and wheat are the main crops.
In the earlier days in addition to other difficulties, there was a problem of non-availability of drinking water.
Sant Baba ji said to Sardar Mehal Singh, “We will drink water in your house if you serve us with the water from a well dug up by you in your fields.” It was the motivation of Sant Baba ji that his devotees should work hard and solve their problems with their own efforts.
When a well was built, the problem of the drinking water was solved. The benefit of this water was enjoyed not only by these two families but also by the entire village.
In this area, a river by the name of TUMRIYA flowed. This river was less in width but was quite deep. Sant Baba ji remained in meditation and worshiped the Almighty on the banks of this river. Wild animals like lions, cheetahs etc came for drinking water from the river. After quenching their thirst they came and sat close to where Sant ji Maharaj was meditating. It seemed that the animals were guarding Sant Baba ji from being disturbed and were happy to have his DARSHAN. They expected salvation from this birth with the blessings of Sant Baba ji.
Sardar Mehal Singh prepared a thatched hut for Sant Baba ji. During the construction of the hut, a support log was required. A long and heavy log of wood was brought, but the workers could not raise it to the roof level. In spite of many efforts they were not successful. Sant Baba ji was sitting at a little distance and was watching the proceedings. Suddenly Sant Baba ji pointed his finger at the log of wood and within no time the log got raised.
Sardar Mehal Singh and his brother Sardar Surjan Singh beside others saw this miracle. No one could control their emotions on observing the incident and fell at the feet of the graceful Sant Baba ji.
Sant Baba ji stayed in this village for three months. Everyday a congregation was held in which Kirtan and religious discourses were carried out.
Sant Baba ji traveled to many of the nearby villages and preached the teachings of Guru Sahib. During his stay in UP, Sant Baba ji was instrumental in initiating many individuals into the fold of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib.
Sriman Sant Baba Gian Singh ji also visited this village. He involved the devotees in carrying out the agricultural work. Sant Baba Gian Singh ji also baptized many individuals of the area. Foundation stone of a Gurdwara building was laid by Sant Baba Gian Singh ji. At present a beautiful Gurdwara adorns the place and people regularly attend the religious functions carried out. The sangat from this village specially undertake the journey to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan to attend the anniversaries celebrated there. They keep on coming on other occasions also and continue to receive the blessings of the present Holy saint.