Tarn Taran Diary: Blessed with rich heritage

Tarn Taran is a town with a rich religious and historical heritage, which it has maintained despite the passage of time. It was founded by the fifth Sikh Guru Sri Arjun Dev in 1596 but the Guru had laid the foundation of the Sarovar in 1590, six years before the town was established, keeping in view the requirements of people desirous of residing here. The town is situated on the old Sher Shah Suri Marg (GT Road) on which people used to commute while travelling from Delhi to Lahore for trade. It was because of this that Serais (residential buildings) were established on GT Road and the remains are still here. The aim of Guru Arjun Dev in establishing the town here was to extend the sphere of Gurshikhi and make arrangements for their livelihood as it was the passageway from Delhi to Lahore for traders and followers of Sikhism. On the instructions of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Parikrama of the holy Sarovar was constructed by his grandson Kanwar Nau Nihal Singh, and Sardar Budh Singh Faizalpuria and Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia also performed their role in making this Parikarma pucca. A Minar was established at one of the four corners of the Sarovar in 1839 on the orders of Nau Nihal Singh, who was of the view that a Minar should be constructed on all four corners of the Sarovar. However, the wish could not be fulfilled. The holding of monthly congregation of Chaudas-Amavas was started from the time of Guru Arjun Dev and continues till date. The devotees came here from far off and many reside here on the intervening night of Chaudas-Amavas, waking up early on the morning of Amavas and taking dip in the holy Sarovar, listening to Kirtan with concentration and then departing for their homes. For the night stay of devotees, 105 Bungas (residential sites) were constructed from time to time but few are seen now as most of the Bungas have been encroached upon or some have been occupied by vested interests. Certain Bungas have been well maintained by the people of the respective villages whose forefathers constructed these. There is one Akal Bunga or Jhanda Bunga which was constructed by Kanwar Nau Nihal Singh in 1898. It is used for the Sukh Asan (staying) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib daily. It is situated near the old site of Sri Nishan Sahib. The repair of this Bunga was done by Maharaja Sher Singh. There are some educational institutions which elaborate the rich history of the town. These include Khalsa Parcharak Vidiala run by the Chief Khalsa Diwan which provides training in Kirtan and reciting Gurbani to the children free of cost. The old Sri Guru Arjun Dev Khalsa College has been taken over by the state government and re-named as SGAD Government College. SGAD Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Mata Ganga Girls College and certain other institutions have preserved the rich history of the town associated with the fifth Sikh Guru Sri Arjun Dev.

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Holy city has endless problems

The holy town of Tarn Taran has endless problems and seeks the sincere efforts of the government and the authorities. Tarn Taran was given the status of a revenue district in 1996 by the then government of Captain Amarinder Singh. After that, it has made much progress in all spheres, including business. As the rainy season is on, even a mild spell of showers keeps the roads, bazaars, streets and even the official complex of the SDM flooded with rainwater as there is no proper arrangement for drainage. There are two sewer treatment plants (STPs) and both have been non-functional for the last two years. Most controversial is the problem of encroachment, which the administration has failed to resolve. A railway crossing at Jandiala road in the heart of the town was the main cause of traffic jam for more than four hours daily. The historic Mata Ganga Girls College, SGAD Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Arya Girls High School and others were facing serious financial troubles. The lone Government Senior Secondary School also known as Government School of Eminence had no playground. Stray animals, traffic problems and contaminated water supply are a small list of problems of the residents.

(Contributed by Gurbaxpuri)