Sant Baba Basant Singh ji stayed at the farm of Bhai Bishan Singh ji for more than five years. The glory of Sant Baba ji spread far and wide. People came to visit him from nearby villages and far off towns. They came with fondness, admiration and adoration for His Holiness.
The present place of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan was earlier known as ‘CHHALIAN DA HAAR’ (A garland of maize corn.)
One day a few of the farmers including Sardar Mehar Singh, Sardar Harjinder Singh, Sardar Rattan Singh, Sardar Buta Singh, Sardar Moola Singh and Nambardar Didar Singh collected and went to the farm of Shabdian to pay their homage to Sant Baba ji. They made a request to Sant Baba ji, “Maharaj ji! We request you to bless us by visiting our fields. Please grace the fields with your Holy feet. We wish to serve you roasted corn.”
The actions of Holy men are unpredictable. They live in their own world and follow their own whims. That day, Sant Baba ji on hearing the request of the farmers, got up immediately, wore his sandals and started walking. Sant Baba ji was brought to the place where now the building of SACH KHAND exists. There was a small pond here during those days. The description about the pond has been given earlier under the heading ‘Background about village Johal’.
Sant Baba ji came to this place on 22nd ASSU, Samvat 1977 (1920 AD). Dense acacia trees, known locally as Kikkar, surrounded the pond. Later, when Sant Baba ji started living here, he was known as ‘KIKRAAN WALE BABA JI’ (‘Baba ji of Acacia trees’).
The acacia is a hardwood tree and not easy to work on or even cut. The trees around the pond were therefore considered to be too tough and remained untouched.
The farmers brought the ears of maize corn and placed them before Sant Baba ji. Some of the men then started towards the village to fetch wood to roast the corn. On seeing these men moving towards the village, Sant Baba ji asked, “Where are you going?”
Sardar Mehar Singh replied, “Maharaj ji! They are going to the village to get fire wood for the fire.”
Sant Baba ji said, “Wood is in plenty here. What is the need of going to get it from the village?”
Sardar Mehar Singh informed Sant Baba ji, “Patshah! The wood of the trees here is considered quite tough and no one touches it. We all bow our heads in respect.”
Sant Baba ji was against superstitions. He said, “Whatever you have been doing earlier has been as per the Orders of the Almighty. Now this has to be changed. Go and fetch a rope.”
One of the persons present there brought a strong rope. Sant Baba ji bound the rope to a completely dry branch of an acacia tree. Using his considerable strength, he easily broke the long branch. He then said, “The wood is now available to you in plenty. You can roast as many ears of maize corn as you wish.”
The long branch was broken into small sections of wood and the pieces were then used to light a bonfire. The ears of the maize corn were roasted on the fire. The whole day the roasted ears were served to everyone who came there. Sant Baba ji also relished the same.
In the evening, Bhai Bishan Singh owner of the Shabdian farm requested Sant Baba ji, “It is getting dark. It is time for your Holiness to return to your abode.”
On hearing these words, Nambardar Sardar Didar Singh made a request to Sant Baba ji. He said, “Maharaj ji! You have stayed at Shabdian farm for quite some time now. Please bless this place also and make it Holy.”
The rest of the farmers also stood up and with folded hands, joined Nambardar ji in repeating the request, “Please Maharaj ji! Please agree to the humble request of Nambardar ji.”
Sant Baba ji was kind and addressed Bhai Bishan Singh in a very affectionate manner, “Bishan Singh! Your responsibility has been completed. You have served me with love. I have now come to my ultimate location. Please go and fetch my towel and undergarments from your room.”
The farmers were very happy on hearing these words of Sant Baba ji. Sant Baba ji had accepted their request.
From that day onwards, Sant Baba ji made this place his dwelling.