Ramdass, a historic town now ravaged by floods

Closely associated with the revered Sikh saint and the first Head Granthi of the Golden Temple, Baba Budha Ji, this historic town has recently witnessed one of the darkest chapters in its long history.

Ravaged by the devastating floods, the region saw several villages inundated after the Dhussi Bundhs (protective embankments) were breached at multiple points, allowing floodwaters to surge in unchecked.

The deluge did not spare even the most sacred site — the historic Gurdwara Smadh Baba Budha Ji, which remained submerged under water for several days. Though the waters have since receded, they have left behind deep scars, not only on the land but also in the lives of the people who call this place home. The tales of devastation echo in every street, every damaged house, and in the eyes of the residents who have lost much more than material possessions.

For the government and district administration, the challenge is monumental. It is not merely about rebuilding a historic town of immense spiritual significance, but also about helping its people rise from the ruins of their shattered lives.

Entire villages and localities have borne the brunt of nature’s fury. Numerous homes have collapsed, while many others are riddled with deep cracks, threatening to crumble at any moment. The constant fear of collapse looms large, forcing families to live in uncertainty and despair.

Jaswant Singh, a farmer from Ramdass whose house stands just a few meters away from

the revered gurdwara, shared his ordeal. His home, built with pride in 2017, today stands fragmented and broken.

“Big cracks have appeared on the walls of the house. Our furniture, our beds — everything was submerged within minutes. The floors have caved in,” he said, his voice heavy with disbelief. “It takes a lifetime to build a house. We never imagined such destruction could befall the land of Baba Budha Ji.”

Main roads as well as link roads connecting dozens of villages were washed away, plunging many settlements—particularly those near the Dhussi Bundhs—into isolation.

The national highway linking Ajnala to Ramdass suffered extensive damage. A large stretch near Ramdass chowk was completely washed away, exposing layers of gravel underneath. With the surface torn apart, vehicles now struggle to pass, and authorities face the enormous task of relaying entire portions of the route.

The agricultural community has been hit the hardest. Standing crops over vast tracts were submerged and destroyed, forcing farmers to stare at unprecedented losses. “We have lost everything this season including paddy crops and vegetables. Even fodder for the cattle is gone,” lamented a villager, Manjinder Singh, echoing the grief of hundreds of farming families.

The tragedy has transformed a land of deep spiritual heritage into a landscape of ruin. Yet, amidst the despair, there is quiet resilience — a collective prayer that the land blessed by Baba Budha Ji will one day heal, and the town will once again rise in strength and faith.

A town steeped in heritage

Situated on the banks of the Ravi river, Ramdass is not just another border settlement—it is a town steeped in Sikh history and spiritual legacy. Its name is indelibly linked to Baba Budha Ji, one of the most revered saints of Sikhism and a contemporary of the first six Sikh Gurus.

Two historic gurdwaras in Ramdas stand as timeless reminders of his devotion and service. Gurdwara Samadh Baba Budha Ji marks the site where Guru Hargobind performed his cremation rites, while Gurdwara Tappasthan commemorates the saint’s meditative sojourns.

Local lore recounts how Baba Budha Ji, after his family’s migration from Kathunangal to Ramdas, first encountered Guru Nanak Dev at the tender age of 12. Deeply moved, he pledged his life to the service of Sikhism. Remarkably, Baba Budha Ji lived for 125 years, spending 113 of them in the spiritual uplift of Sikh community—his influence woven deeply into the fabric of Punjab’s history.

wuw