Gurdwara Bir Baba Budha Sahib place of great devotion for pilgrims

Gurdwara Bir Baba Budha Sahib, Thatha in Tarn Taran, which was a Bir (forest) has become a site of great devotion for the devotees.

It is the site where a monthly congregation is held on each ‘Sangrand’ when the Sangat come from far off areas and the yearly three-day Mela is held in the first week of October. Lakhs of pilgrims visit from Majha, Doaba and Malwa regions in large numbers, turning the place into a vibrant centre of faith and devotion.

About 20 km from Amritsar, on the Khemkaran road near the town of Chabal, stands the historic Gurdwara Bir Baba Budha Sahib. This holy shrine is linked with Baba Budha Ji, one of the most respectable saints in Sikh history. It is here that Baba Budha blessed Mata Ganga wife of fifth Sikh Guru Arjun Dev ji with the gift of a son, who later became Guru Hargobind Sahib, the sixth Sikh Guru.

Baba Budha was closely associated with the first six Sikh Gurus. He performed the sacred ceremony of placing the tilak on five Gurus, from the second Sikh Guru Sri Guru Angad Ji to Sri Guru Harbogind Sahib, when they were appointed Gurus. Known for his deep devotion and humility, he spent much of his life serving the Gurus and guiding the Sikh community.

During the time of Guru Amar Das Ji at Goindwal Sahib (Tarn Taran ), Baba Budha devoted himself to serving the congregation and leading people in meditation. Even the Mughal emperor Akbar once visited Goindwal Sahib, sat with the common people to eat in langar, and later met Guru Amar Das Ji. Impressed by the Guru’s humility and service, Akbar donated land in Chabal and Thatha villages. This land included a forest (Bir), which Baba Budha Ji took care of by farming and looking after cattle.

A well-known incident in Sikh history is linked with this sacred site. Mata Ganga Ji, the wife of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, once felt deeply disappointed that she had no son. Following Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s advice, she prepared simple food with her own hands and walked barefoot to offer it to Baba Budha Ji at Bir Sahib (Thatha).

Pleased by her humility and devotion, Baba Budha Ji blessed Mata Ganga, saying that she would be blessed with a great warrior son. This blessing came true with the birth of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, who later became the sixth Guru and the first to don the two swords of Miri and Piri (temporal and spiritual authority).

Baba Budha Ji played an important role during the construction of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple, Amritsar) under Guru Ram Das Ji. He inspired the devotees to join in sewa and became the first Head Granthi of the shrine. Later, when Guru Hargobind was imprisoned in Gwalior Fort, Baba Budha Ji led groups of Sikhs from Amritsar to visit him, keeping the spirit of the community strong.

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