PLANNING THE CONSTRUCTION OF GURDWARA TAKHAT SRI KESGARH SAHIB
The recognition of the greatness of Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj increased manifold after his service towards the Sikh Panth proved to be successful. People thronged to his abode at Jiyan Sahib to pay their homage. The devotees were impressed by his simplicity as well as his divinity. They also praised his leadership qualities during the liberation of Gurdwaras at Sri Anandpur Sahib as well as also during the struggle at Gangsar, Jaito.
Sant Baba ji one fine morning, in the year 1925, was as usual attending the congregation. He addressed the congregation and narrated the Orders he had received from Guru Sahib. He said, “It is the Order of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib that a majestic Gurdwara be constructed at the site of the birth place of the Khalsa. I have been directed by Guru Sahib to undertake this work.”
The sangat simply bowed their heads in reverence and raised slogans of ‘Bole so Nihal! Sat Sri Akal!’ in agreement.
Sri Kesgarh Sahib was the birthplace of Khalsa. There existed a very small room and a small platform at the site. The absence of a Gurdwara at this most historic place of the Sikhs made Sant Baba ji ill at ease.
Many persons had tried to make a drawing of the Gurdwara building at Sri Kesgarh Sahib, but failed miserably because of the peculiarly uneven and mountainous terrain of the region. The Jathedar of the Takhat and leaders of other groups all felt the need for a Gurdwara at the site. When all their efforts could not bring the desired results, they decided to seek the blessings of Sant Baba ji. The leaders had been witness to all the miracles that had 51 occurred during the liberation of the Gurdwaras. They felt that this task could now only be performed by a divine personality.
Sant Baba ji in the meantime had already been ordered by the Tenth Master to move for the construction of the Gurdwara. He started from his abode and reached Shahidi Bagh, at Sri Anandpur Sahib. His disciples and devotees were with him. Discourses on the divine were carried out as usual.
Discussions with the leaders on the construction of a Gurdwara at Sri Kesgarh Sahib were also held.
Sant Baba ji was shown different plans prepared by architects and civil engineers for the building. They were unable to cover all the requirements. Sant Baba ji raised queries. “Where will the sangat sit?” “Where will the sangat eat the langar?” How will the devotees pray with their bowing heads?”
There were no satisfactory replies. Everyone felt that the mountain was quite uneven and could not accommodate all the requirements. They threw up their hands in defeat.
One day early in the morning, the langar commander came to Sant Baba ji for his instructions on the preparation of the holy food. He found that Sant Baba ji was very cheerful and his face was glowing.
Sant Baba ji spoke to him, “Today Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib has revealed to me the building plan of the Gurdwara Sahib. The plan is complete and is engrained in my mind. I have the sanction of Guru Sahib to take further steps for its implementation.”
The sangat was also informed about this by Sant Baba ji, when he came out to attend the daily congregation. He added, “Today I am very happy. The birth place of Khalsa will be very majestic.”
Information reached the architects, engineers and other higher officials. Everybody reached the temporary abode of Sant Baba ji. Sant Baba ji took everyone with him and came to the actual site.
He explained the work that was required to be carried out before the construction of the building could be started. Then he came and sat and picked up a pen and paper. He drew the entire plan of the building as revealed to him by Guru Sahib. It was all in his mind.
The British architects and engineers were awestruck on seeing the plan. They could not believe their eyes. The plan was complete and none of the skilled engineers and architects had come up with such an idea.
Sant Baba ji after finishing his work said, “This plan has been approved by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. The clearance of the mountains should be immediately started. This should be followed by laying the foundation stone for the building.”
Immediate measures were taken to clear the mountain and convert it into flat surface. A day was fixed for the laying of the foundation stone. (The actual date has not been traced, but it is a day between the years 1925 and 1927)
The sangat from Doaba, Malwa and Majha were present on the auspicious day. The digging for the foundation was started. The pits were quite deep and broad.
Sant Baba ji himself supervised the digging. He commanded a lot of respect and his instructions were considered as an order of the Almighty. Sant Baba ji inspired and encouraged the people with the words, “This is the place of the birth of Khalsa. The Tenth Master had specially chosen this place. We should all serve with love and humility. No financial saving of any kind will be done and the buildings will be strong and beautiful. The Gurdwara will be a majestic piece of architecture.”
Jathedar Partap Singh Moila, of Sri Kesgarh Sahib was a witness to the work and was encouraged by the words spoken by Sant Baba ji. He joined the sangat in the holy service.
At last the moment came for laying the foundation stone. The sangat was full of enthusiasm. They were ready to perform all kinds of service, be it from their body, mind or money.
Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji performed the prescribed prayers and sat to rest besides the work being carried out. The devotees started donating money for the holy work. This led to people donating gold and silver ornaments. Soon there was a big heap of the goods donated.
(Sant Baba Gian Singh ji of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan, during his many discourses described this event by saying; “The ladies took off their ornaments, tore the linings of gold and silver laces on their garments and placed them before Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj. The men were donating money. There was so much gusto and fervor to be seen on the faces of the sangat. Everyone was contributing without being asked to do so.”)
When every one was through with his or her contribution, the great saint Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj asked the workers, “Is everything ready for the foundation?”
On getting an affirmative reply, Sant Baba ji instructed, “All this treasure be spread throughout the foundation. The place of birth of Khalsa will have a layer of gold and silver in the foundation instead of cement.”
On listening to these words, the sangat was roused by the raising of Sikh slogans. However Jathedar Partap Singh Moila and other senior officials were astonished on this announcement of Sant Baba ji and looked at each other for stopping him in carrying out this task. Jathedar ji requested Sant Baba ji, “Patshah! The construction of the building will require a huge sum of money. This collection will go a long way in achieving the goal. We should save this treasure and not place it in the foundation.”
Sant Baba ji replied, “There is no need to worry about the money required for the construction. It is the work of our Tenth Master and the money will be arranged without any difficulty. But everyone should beware and not touch the money with an evil mind. Whosoever does so with avarice will blemish his present life as well as his future life? The body of such a person will rot and perish.”
Jathedar Partap Singh Moila and the beloved disciple of Sant Baba ji, Sant Baba Hari Singh ji of Kaharpur were still apprehensive. Sant Baba ji recognized their anxiety and said to Sant Baba Hari Singh ji, “Sant ji! There is nothing to worry about. This work has to be completed under your supervision. It will be my pocket and your hand will use the money required for the purpose. The amount of money you spend will automatically increase manifold.”
The treasure of gold, silver and cash was spread in the foundation. Thereafter the foundation stone was laid with the holy hands of Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj. Sant Baba ji supervised the work till the foundation of bricks was visible at the ground level.
Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji’s soul merged with the Almighty on 20/12/1928 (6 Poh Samvat 1985). The work of construction of the Gurdwara at the Takhat Sahib had already been allotted to Sant Baba Hari Singh ji of Kaharpur.
Sant Baba Hari Singh ji started with the further work on the project in the year 1935 and carried it out to its logical conclusion spread over a number of years.
Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji was always present there and guided Sant Baba Hari Singh ji. Any inaccuracy observed by him (sitting at the feet of the Lord, after his death) was pointed out to Sant Baba Hari Singh ji who corrected the same following the instructions, without any question. Many a times Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji presented himself in the form of a sadhu and vanished after the desired changes had been made in the structure.
Note:
The above is only a brief sketch of a great saint Braham Giani
108 Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj of Jiyan.
The incidents mentioned therein were verbally narrated many a
times by Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj during his times to
the devotees. Sant Baba Gian Singh ji Maharaj and Sant Baba
Harbhajan Singh Virakat ji Maharaj also shared these incidents
with the sangat.
The following published books were also referred to give authenticity
to the actual incidents.
1. ‘RUHANI JEEVAN PARKASH’ – life of Sant Baba Harnam
Singh ji Jiyan, written by Sant Chanan Singh ji Jiyan. First publication
in November 1989.
2. ‘NIRMAL PANTH DARSHAN’ – Second Volume. Written and
published by Mahant Dayal Singh ji - 1st Vaisakh, Samvat 2010.
3. ‘SRI NIRMAL PANTH BODH’ – written by Giani Balwant Singh
Koth Guru. Published on 1st February 1998 by Nirmal
Panchayati Akhara, Kankhal, Haridwar.