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Sikh Gurdwara Panja Sahib
Tuesday, May 22, 2012


The claim of Hasan Abdal to international fame is Sikh Gurdwara (temple) known as Panja Sahib having a rock with the hand print of their religious leader Baba Guru Nanak. Twice a year, Sikh pilgrims visit this Gurdwara from all over the world. The legend has it that in 1521 AD, while passing through then deserted area on a very hot day, Guru Nanak's companion Bhai Mardana got very thirsty. The Guru suggested that he go to the Saint Baba Wali Qandhari who lived in a hut atop a nearby hill and ask for water. The Saint refused to give water from his well. Desperate with thirst, Mardana repeated his plea three times. Finally the saint reprimanded Mardana who returned to his guru and collapsed at his feet.

The Guru asked him to pick up a stone. The disciple did as he was told, and water flowed from under the stone, while the Saint's well dried up. The Saint then pushed a large boulder from hilltop and sent it rolling towards the Guru and Mardana. But when the boulder reached them, the Guru stretched out his hand and stopped it with his palm.

During Sikh rule, Hari Sing Nalva got the edifice of temple made at the place. Later, the temple was extended and a sarai (inn) was added for accommodation. The temple is typical of the rather florid Sikh style with gilded domes and cupolas and stands in the middle of a large water tank. Built with grey sandstone, its exterior is spotted with protruding domed bay windows. The central fluted dome is encircled by several symmetrically placed big and small domed kiosks. The cemented water tank derives its supply from a fresh water spring that emerges from underneath a huge rock. Now this huge rock has that famous hand print on it for which the site is known as 'Panja Sahib'. On the nearby hill, at an altitude of 714 meters, lies a meditation chamber of Saint Baba Wali Qandhari, popularly known as Baba Hasan Abdal. The saint stayed in Hasan Abdal from 1406-1416 AD but died and is buried in village Baba Wali near Qandhar (Afghanistan). The devotees and visitors climb over the steps leading to the hill, for offerings and to have a panoramic view of Hasan Abdal. Two other historical buildings of Mughal era (Muqbara Hakeeman and so-called tomb of Lala Rukh) are located just opposite the temple. Hasan Abdal is an interesting small town.

Related: Rediscovering our Sikh heritage

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:58 AM,

3 Comments:

At 8:02:00 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

I believe Guru Nanak was best at teaching people of humanity.
This Panja Sahib story about stopping a downhill rolling stone by his hand, doesn't justify Guru Nanak's philosophy.
Let us follow Guru Nanak's teachings not these made up stories.

 
At 8:02:00 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

I believe Guru Nanak was best at teaching people of humanity.
This Panja Sahib story about stopping a downhill rolling stone by his hand, doesn't justify Guru Nanak's philosophy.
Let us follow Guru Nanak's teachings not these made up stories.

 
At 8:02:00 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

I believe Guru Nanak was best at teaching people of humanity.
This Panja Sahib story about stopping a downhill rolling stone by his hand, doesn't justify Guru Nanak's philosophy.
Let us follow Guru Nanak's teachings not these made up stories.

 

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