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Gurudwara Pehli Patshahi at Bal Gondai, Distt Jhelum |
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The shrine is located on a hill about 24 kilometers west of Jehlum City. The place is also called Tila Joggian. It was here that Ranjha, the main character of Punjabi Folk story Heer Ranjha, got his ears pierced by Bal Nath Jogi and took Jog. A Jogi by the name of Bal Gondai lived on this mound. He was a Purapkari Sadhu. Sucha Patshah Gur Nanak Dev Ji came to his ashram. He heard the saying of Sat Gur and became his devotee.
The footprints of the Sat Gur, which were preserved in stone at this place, have eroded now. A small darbar is there. There is a beautiful tank beside it. Nange Sadhus were the priests. 15 ghumaon of forest land attached to the shrine.
The place can be reached by personal transport from Jehlum or Dina without which it is difficult to return within a day. The weather and the view on top of the hill is fascinating for the visitor. The memory of this spell binding panorama and beauty of this shrine remains with the visitor forever
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Text and photographs:Historical Sikh Shrines in Pakistan : Iqbal Qaiser |