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Gurudwara Ghai Ghat, the thrice blessed
Sikh pilgrim spot in Bihar
by Ajay Sharma

       Patna: Patna, the capital of Bihar, is reverently called `Patna Sahib' because of its consecration by three gurus of the Sikh community - Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh. Gurudwara Ghai Ghat, on the banks of the River Ganga, is thrice blessed as it houses their sacred relics. Located at the confluence of the Ganga, the Sone, the Punpun and the Gandak - Patna is the largest riverine city in the world. Indeed! An ancient pilgrimage center, held in reverence for centuries. What Mecca is to Muslims - Patna is to Sikhs. On the banks of the River Ganga, once the house of Bhai Jaitamal, the First Master, Guru Nanak Dev in 1509 A.D, sanctified Gurudwara Ghai Ghat. Bhai Jaitamal, a man of great piety was 350 years old when he requested the Guru to secure his soul. Guru Nanak counselled patience and adviced him to wait till the ninth Master blessed him. Jaitamal was much old for bathing in the River Ganga, but with the blessings of Guru Nanak he could. "Bhai Jaitamal prayed to the Guru to give him strength to bathe in the river ganga. Guruji told Jaitamal that he need not go to the river; the river would come to him. Guru Nanak converted the river Ganga to a cow. The spot is still there where Bhai Jaitamal used to bathe," Avtar Singh, the priest of Gurudwara Ghai Ghat.

      In 1666, the ninth Master, Guru Tegh Bahadur blessed Bhai Jaitamal. The guru, along with his family stayed in Patna for four months and made the place popular among the followers of Guru Nanak. The gurudwara preserves many sacred relics such as the bed, a grindstone of Mata Gujri, the musical instrument, Rebeck of Bhai Mardana, the window of the house of Bhai Jaitamal and Thara Sahib where Guru Tegh Bahadur sat. Devotees offer chola or clothes at Tham Sahib, the wooden pillars. It is believed that an unequal pair of wood was brought for the construction, which was later corrected by the Guru Tegh Bahudar. Since then, devotees pay obeisance to the pillars. "If someone finds it difficult to marry or secure a job, his wishes are fulfilled. An offering of Chola (a piece of cloth) is made to the Tham Sahib. Hindus, Muslims and people of all religions come here and each has his wish fulfilled," said a devotee. Sprawled on the southern banks of the River Ganges, Patna offers visitors a fascinating tale of history. The ancient land of the Buddha, the founder of the Buddhist religion, it is also the birthplace of Sri Gobind Singh, the tenth and last Sikh guru. Gurdwara Ghai Ghat, was Bhagat Jaitamal's house. Situated in Alamganj Mohalla. It was sanctified first by Guru Nanak in 1509 A.D. and later by Guru Tegh Bahadur along with his family in 1666 AD. Bhagat Jaitamal, a devotee of Guru Nanak was fortunate to get the blessings of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Guru Tegh Bahadur stayed for about four months here and made this place very popular among the followers of Guru Nanak's faith.

     Bihar has a number of Gurudwaras and some of the most popular ones include: Harmandir Sahib -- Patna, Guru ka Bagh -- Patna Gurudwara Ghai Ghat --Patna, Gurudwara Handi Sahib --Patna, Gurudwara Gobind Ghat - Patna, Gurudwara Bal Lila Maini, Gurudwara Taksali Sangat--Sasaram, Gurudwara Guru Bagh-- Sasaram Gurudwara Chacha Phaggu Mal-- Sasaram Gurudwara Pakki Sangat - Monghyr, Gurudwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji--Gaya Gurudwara Bari Sangat Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Chauki--Bhagalpur and Gurudwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur--Lakshmipur.
-Nov 2,  2006

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