Gurdwara Sri Barath Sahib

Gurudwara Sri Barath Sahib, falling under the district of Pathankot in the state of Punjab, is situated in the village of Barath. It is around 12 km away to the south west of the city of Pathankot. While the popular name for the shrine is Gurudwara Barath Sahib, it was originally called Gurudwara Tap Asthan Baba Sri Chand Ji.

This Gurudwara was built to honor the memory of Baba Sri Chand Ji- the eldest son of Guru Nanak, who was the first of the 10 Gurus and was the founder of Sikh religion. It also commemorates the visits of Guru Arjun Dev and Guru Hargobind Sahib, the 5th and 6th Gurus of the Sikhs, respectively.

The eminent Gurudwara holds great religious significance for the followers of Sikhism for the one who come in hordes to pay their respects and seek blessings at this holy shrine round the year. The Baisakhi festival is celebrated with great zeal and fervor and an annual two day long fair is held in mid-April to mark the same occasion.

The Gurudwara is as quaint in its age-old beauty as it is magnificent in its structure. The Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee has been managing the Gurudwara since the year 1920, when it was passed over to them from Udasi priests. Baba Sri Chand Ji is credited for laying the foundation of the Udasi sect of Sikh religion.

History

There is a legend associated to Sri Barath Sahib Gurudwara. Baba Sri Chand was born in the year 1494 to Mata Sulakhni Ji and Guru Nanak. In the later years of his life, Guru Nanak shifted to Kartarpur (which falls under Pakistan now) with his entire family. When the Guru passed away, Baba Sri Chand- who was bit of a recluse- left Kartarpur and set up a hermitage in the Barath village. This came to be known as the headquarters of the Udasi sect, which was founded by Baba Sri Chand himself. He would meditate here for long durations of time and spend most of his time at the hermitage.

Baba Sri Chand went to meet Guru Ram Das- the fourth Guru of Sikhs- to Amritsar with his disciple, Bhai Kamalya. Guru Ram Das received Baba Sri Chand with great warmth and respect and offered him his own seat in devotion, apart from offering him a horse and Rs 500. A pleased Baba Sri Chand then asked Guru Ram Das the reason for growing a long beard, to which he replied that it was to wipe the feet of saints like him, and proceeded to do exactly the same. Baba ji came back to his hermitage in Barath after spending a couple of days with Guru Ram Das.

After some time, Baba Sri Chand sent Bhai Kamalya to extend an invitation to Guru Arjun Dev- the fifth Guru of the Sikhs. Guru Arjun Dev came soon after receiving the invitation, eager to meet Baba Sri Chand. However, the Baba was busy meditating when Guru Arjun Dev came. The cycle continued for six months, with Baba Sri Chand meditating and Guru Arjun Dev standing outside, patiently waiting for him. Finally, after six months, Baba opened his eyes and received the Guru with great love and warmth and had a lengthy enriching discussion with him. A pillar is built on the Gurudwara premises where the Guru stood waiting for Baba Sri Chand.

Guru Hargobind Sahib, the sixth Guru of the Sikhs, came with his family to Barath to pay his respects to Baba Sri Chand. The Baba asked him if he meant to make all his sons tread on the same path or whether he was willing to offer one of them to him. Guru Hargobind Sahib humbly offered Baba Gurditta, his eldest son, to stay with Baba Sri Chand. Eventually, Baba Sri Chand named Baba Gurditta as his successor and chief overseer of the Udasi sect founded by him.

Architecture and Covered Area

Construction of the building compound, as it stands today, began in the year 1968. A longish pinnacle made of brass sits atop the mound of the shrine structure. The large room that has an old dome has a verandah that traverses the entire length and breadth. An elevated surface holds a huge fence complex. A mosaic octagonal concrete pillar stands opposite a four-sided room with a flat roof, in the memory of Guru Arjun Dev- the fifth Guru of the Sikhs. The pillar is called Thamm Sahib Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

A small tank, which was previously the Baoli Sahib, is situated in a different compound that is built a mere 50 m away from the main complex. Countless pilgrims come to visit the Tap Asthan, where the Guru Granth Sahib is kept, especially on the nights of Amavasya. In the south east part of the Gurudwara, there is a pond and some trees- representing the garden where Guru Hargobind Sahib is believed to have stayed during his visit to Barath.

Location and Surroundings

The Barath Sahib Gurudwara is located in the village of Barath, which falls under the district Pathankot in the state of Punjab. It is located nearly 12 km away from the city of Pathankot. It is around 4 km away from the Sarna railway station. Pathankot was announced as a district recently in 2011. Before Pathankot’s announcement as a district, the village Barath and Gurudwara Barath Sahib were a part of the district of Gurdaspur, while remaining to be under the Tehsil Pathankot.

Celebrations

The Gurudwara celebrates the festival of Baisakhi with utmost zeal and fervor. The village people and the Gurudwara committee join hands to organize a grand two day long fair each year to commemorate the festival. It is usually celebrated sometime around mid April.

How to Reach

By Air

Pathankot has an airport that is shared between the military and the civilians. Since it is used more for defence purposes, the commercial flights are few and far in between. Also, one can check in advance about the flight timings and frequency. From the airport, taxis and auto rickshaws are easily available.

By Rail

The railhead of Pathankot is among the major railheads of the country, with great connectivity to various states and cities all across India. Of the four stations, Pathankot Junction is the most important one. Buses and taxis are available from the railway stations.

By Road

Pathankot plays host to the Maharana Pratap Bus Terminus which holds the distinction of being among the biggest bus terminals in all of North India. It provides excellent connectivity. Barath is around 4 km away from Sarna railway station.

Services

The Gurudwara committee provides accommodation for pilgrims in the rooms it has built in the premises. It also organizes the 'Guru Ka langar', in which food is provided free of cost to all pilgrims.