Gurdwara Chowa Sahib

Gurdwara Chowa Sahib (Urdu: گردوارہ چوآ صاحب‎; literally: "Gurudwara of the exalted spring") is an abandoned gurudwara located at the northern edge of the Rohtas Fort, near Jhelum, Pakistan. Situated near the fort's Talaqi gate, the gurdwara commemorates the site where Guru Nanak is popularly believed to have created a water-spring during one of his journeys known as udasi.[1][2][3]

Gurdwara Chowa Sahib

ਗੁਰੂਦਵਾਰਾ ਖੂਹ ਸਾਹਿਬ

گردوارہ چوآ صاحب
General information
Architectural styleSikh architecture
Town or cityRohtas Fort
CountryPunjab, Pakistan
Completed1834
A view of the temple's baoli, or stepwell.

History

The first commemorative structure was built by Charat Singh, who installed a sarovar pool, and area for recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib.[1] The current building dates from 1834, and was commissioned by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.[4]

Significance

Sikhs believe that Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana were traveling in the region during the fourth of Guru Nanak's journeys - known as udasis. The two were traveling during the summer, and had arrived at the site following a 40-day stay at the nearby Tilla Jogian temples. Bhai Mardana expressed his thirst while lamenting that water was scarce in the region during that time of year. Guru Nanak is said to have then struck the earth with his cane and moved a stone,[5] thereby revealing a natural spring.[1]

Sikh lore states that Sher Shah Suri attempted to shift the spring up the hill to use a source of water for the newly constructed Rohtas Fort. The king's engineers attempted the feat three times, failing each time.[1]

Conservation
The gurdwara in 2007, prior to restoration works.

The temple stands at the base of a hill upon which the Rohtas Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is situated. Despite its proximity to the historic site, the temple stands disused and neglected, with no local Sikh community able to fund its upkeep.

See also

References
  1. Qaisar, Iqbal (2001). پاكستان وچ سكھاں دياں تواريخى پوتر تھاواں. Punjabi History Board. p. 412. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  2. The Sikh Courier; Volumes 9-12. Sikh Cultural Society of Great Britain. 1977.
  3. Singh, Kirapala; Kapur, Prithipala (2004). Janamsakhi tradition: an analytical study. Singh Brothers. p. 174. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  4. "Gurudwara Chowa Sahib at Rohtas District Jhelum". All About Sikhs. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  5. Singh, Kirapala; Kapur, Prithipala (2004). Janamsakhi tradition: an analytical study. Singh Brothers. p. 174.

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