Gurdwara Nanak Jhira Sahib is a Sikh historical shrine situated in Bidar, in Karnataka. During the second ‘Udasi’ (missionary tour) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji the South India, visited the ancient Hindu Temple of Om Kareswar on the Narbada and reached Nanded, where 200 years later Guru Gobind Singh spent his last days. From Nanded […]

Gurdwara Nanak Jhira Sahib is a Sikh historical shrine situated in Bidar, in Karnataka. During the second ‘Udasi’ (missionary tour) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji the South India, visited the ancient Hindu Temple of Om Kareswar on the Narbada and reached Nanded, where 200 years later Guru Gobind Singh spent his last days. From Nanded he proceeded towards Hyderabad and Golkonda where he met Muslim saints and then came to Bidar to meet Pir Jalaluddin and Yakoob Ali.

The Guru accompanied by his disciple Mardana stayed in the outskirts of the Bidar town where ‘Nanak Jhira’ Gurdwara is now located. In the nearby were huts of Muslim fakirs, who took keen interest in the sermons and teachings of the great Guru. The news soon spread throughout Bidar and its surrounding areas about the holy Saint of the North and large number of people started coming to him to have his “Darshan” and seek his blessings There used to be acute shortage of drinking water in Bidar. All efforts of the people to dig wells were of no avail. Even where the wells were dug the water was found to be unfit for drinking.

The Guru was greatly moved by the miserable condition of the people. With divine name on his lips and the mercy in his heart he touched the hillside with his toe and removed some rubble from the place. To the utter surprise of all, fountain of sweet, cool water gushed out of the hillside. The place soon came to be known as ‘Nanak-Jhira’.

A beautiful Gurdwara has now been constructed by the side of the fountain. The water of the fountain is collected in a small ‘Amrit-Khud’ built in white marble. There is a free kitchen (Guru ka langar) where free food is given to pilgrims all the 24 hours. A Sikh museum has been built in the memory of Guru Tegh Bahadur, depicting the important events of Sikh history through pictures and paintings. The birthday of Guru Nanak and the Hola Mohalla festival attract large number of Devotees from all over India.

It may be recalled that Bhai Sahib Singh one of the Panj Piaras (five beloved of Guru Gobind Singh) hailed from Bidar.

~ Source: http://www.worldgurudwaras.com/