Holy Destinations of India
Fatehgarh Sahib
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The city is an historically
important town north of Patiala, especially for the Sikh faith. Gurudwara
Fatehgarh Sahib, marks the site of the live entombment of the two younger
sons of the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Gobind Singh on 12 December
1705, by the Governor of Sirhind, Wazir Khan [1], the place is the today
commemorated by Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, 5 km (3 miles) north of the
Sirhind. [2]
It is named Fatehgarh, meaning Town of Victory, because in 1710 Sikhs under
the leadership of Banda Bahadur overran the area and razed the fort (built
during Balban's rule) to the ground.
Gurudwara Jyoti Sarup Sahib
is about 1 km from Fatehgarh Sahib on Sirhind- Chandigarh road. It was at
this place that the mortal remains of Mata Gujri, the mother of Guru Gobind
Singh and his two younger sons, Fateh Singh and Zorawar Singh were cremated.
Wazir Khan, the then Faujdar of Sirhind refused to allow the cremation of
the bodies unless the land for the cremation was purchased by laying gold
coins on it. Todar Mal, who was an ardent devotee of Guru Gobind Singh,
purchased this place of land by offering gold coins as demanded. And thus
etched his name in the annals of Sikh history and earned the salutation of
Deewan.
The town has four memorial gates surrounding it, each in the memory of four
important persons from the Sikh history associated with Sirhind. These are:
Deewan Todar Mal, Nawab Sher Muhammed Khan, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur and
Baba Moti Ram Mehra. All belonged to different castes/religions, thus
depicting the harmony and brotherhood among people of those times.
Sirhind is famous for renowned Mujaddad Alif Saani - Sheikh Ahmad Farooqi
Sirhindi(Rh), great sufi saint a founder and repairer of Naqshbandi-
Majaddaddi school of Sufiism and graceism. His and his sons Hz. Masoom
Sahib's and various others mausoleum is there, 200 metres (650') from
Gurdwara Fateh Garh.
PLACES TO VISIT
The main Gurudwara commemorates the martyrdom
of the two tender Sahibzadas (sons), Zorawar Singh (9 years) and Fateh Singh
(7 years) of the tenth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who refused to
give up their religion under threat from their captor, the Suba of Sirhind.
They were suffocated to death in the dome of Mata Gujri-the grandmother of
these martyrs who could not survive the shock of their martyrdom.
Gurudwara Jyoti Swarup
Gurudwara Jyoti Swarup , located nearby, it is
the venue of the cremation ceremonies of brave Sikh martyrs. Jor Mela (a
great fair) is held here in December every year.
Rauza Sharif of Sheikh Ahmed Farooqi, Mujadid Alif-saani at Sirhind
his is a historic monument which is acclaimed
as a second Mecca by Suni Muslims. Thousands of Naqshbandi Muslims from
Pakistan, Afghanistan Indonesia and all around India visit this place in or
around August. The mausoleum contains tombs and cenotaphs and a mosque. The
cenotaph of King Shah Zaman of Afghanistan is located here.
Aam Khas Bagh
Aam Khas Bagh , was a highway inn used by
royals as well as common people. It was initially built by the Mogul Emperor
Babar and extended by Emperor Shahjehan. It is located close to Rauza Sharif.
The royal part of the building has an enormous water storage tank, and a
palace with beautiful wall paintings. Other attractions are hot-and-cold air
conditioning facilities and fountains driven by a unique hydraulic system.
Sanghol
Located at a distance of 40 km from Chandigarh
on Ludhiana road, this village is situated on the top of a mound 24 meters
high. Sanghol, spread over an area of 200 Sq. meters, is of great
archaeological importance.
A large number of relics from the late Harappan Civilisation (1700 B.C. to
1300 B.C.) to the 6th century A.D. onward are preserved in the museum here.
HOW TO REACH
Fatehgarh Sahib (the district head quarter) is located 50 Kms. towards the west of Chandigarh and about 50 km to the north of Patiala on Patiala Rupnagar Road via Morinda.