The village of Tanda is located near the town of Kicha in the district of Udham Singh Nagar. Tanda is home to 5 historic Gurdwaras which all relate to a sakhi of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji.
Gurdwara Sri Nanakpuri Sahib is the main Gurdwara, with a sarovar, where the sakhi begins. Guru Nanak came to Tanda at the request of Bhai Hara Singh during his Uttarakhand udasi, or travel, in 1514. In those days, the Rohilla Pathans of this area were involved in child trafficking. Guru Sahib in the guise of a child was caught by an evil man by the name of Ruhela Pathaan.
Ruhela Pathaan sold Guru Sahib (child) to another merchant for the price of 2 horses. The merchant who bought Guru Sahib (child) asked him to take care of the bagh (garden) and make sure that no birds (parrots) entered the bagh. Guru Sahib (child) advised the merchant that the vegetation will dry up in the bagh while he was there. When the merchant saw this he felt the presence of Guru Sahib, he touched his feet and released him. Guru Sahib told him not to trade with people in future.
Guru Sahib was alone once again and not before long he was caught by Ruhela Pathaan. This time he sold Guru Sahib to another merchant. The merchant who bought Guru Sahib asked him to shepherd his sheep. Guru Sahib told the merchant that if he touchs any of the sheep with his stick, then that sheep will die there and then. The merchant couldn't believe what he was hearing and wanted to make sure what he was told was true. The merchant insisted Guru Sahib touch the sheep with a stick first. When Guru Sahib did this the sheep died. When Guru Sahib touched the dead sheep with his stick once again, she regained her senses and was alive again.
The Pathaan took the child away and for the third time, sold him to another Pathaan who set him to the task of grinding wheat with a hand grinder (chakki). But to the Pathaan's surprise, even after grinding a large quantity of wheat, the amount of flour (atta) that came out was very little. The wife of the Pathaan rasied her voice and said "This child has the sacred soul of a saint". Upon hearing this the Pathaan felt Guru Sahib's presence, fell to his feet and released him. Guru Sahib told the Pathaan to stop the trading with people in future.
The child-selling Ruhela Pathaan sold the child yet again for the fourth time to a Khwaja. The Khwaja set him the task of bringing up water from his well and instructed him not to give water to anybody without his permission. However, all the water in the well and nearby rivers and rivulets dried up. At this, the pathans gathered in the mosque and offered prayers to Allah. Guru Ji told them that Allah would answer their prayers only if they stopped the practice of child trafficking. On their promising to do so, the water that had dried up began to flow again. The Pathaans of Ruhelkhand asked for forgiveness and became Guru Ji's disciples.
Guru Sahib in the guise of a child, sat on a pile of stones by himself. An evil man by the name of Ruhela Pathaan caught Guru Sahib (child) and took him home.
Back to Historic Sikh Gurdwaras list
Discover Sikhs
Gurmat Gyan (Knowledge)
Larivaar
Other Gurbani Contributors
MORE
Gallery
Sikh News
ABOUT