Holy Destinations of India

Fatehgarh Sahib

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.