Nankana Sahib Temple
| Nankana Sahib is located in Pakistan about 50 miles west of Lahore. Originally known as Raipur, it went by the name of Rai Bhoi di Talwandi at the time of Guru Nanak’s birth. Nankana is the site of several historic gurdwaras built to commemorate miraculous occurrences during Guru Nanak’s life. The gurdwaras are surrounded by 18,750 acres of land bestowed to Guru Nanak by Rai Bular Bhatti, the Muslim headman of Talwandi village. His descendants have revered Guru Nanak through the centuries. Gurdwara Nankana (Janam Asthan) is built at the site of Guru Nanak Dev’s birthplace and childhood home. It is the most prominent of all the gurdwaras located in the town of Nankana, Pakistan. It is the host of annual gurpurab festivities commemorating Guru Nanak’s birth which are celebrated on the full moon in the latter part of the year. Nankana Sahib is a holy place where the founder of Sikh religion, the dispeller of darkness, the most enlightened global Guru, Guru Nanak Dev ji was born early in the morning to Mata Tripta Ji and Mehta Kalu Ji on 15th April, 1469 (Baisakh sudi 3, Samwat 1526). The township of Nankana Sahib was earlier known as Raipur and later on as Rai-Bhoi-di-Talwandi but after the birth of Guru Nanak, it began to be known as Nankian Sahib/Nankana Sahib. It is situated at a distance 48 miles on the west from Lahore. Guru Nanak dev ji passed his whole childhood and young age in Nankana Sahib. After this partition, a mention of Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in the daily ardasa or prayer has become a regular feature. These Sikh shrines in Pakistan are managed by a Waqf Board and every year, Sikh Jathas visit these shrines on four different occasions. At present there are 25-30 Sikh families residing in Nankana Sahib and as a result of this, daily service is performed and bani is recited. At the occassion of Guru Nanak’s anniversary, about three thousand Sikh devotees from India visit Nankana Sahib. Sikhs from all over the world come there too. |
