Rasokhana — a celebration of centuries-old syncretic tradition
While thousands of devotees thronged the site during a “Shukrana Samagam” today, it is famous for holding one of the biggest langars in the region
On Sunday January 25, a long-winding queue outside Angeetha Sahib at the Rasokhana Shri Nabh Kanwal Raja Sahib grows thicker and longer every 15 minutes – soon stretching all the way to the main entrance.
A seer — born as Bhagwan Dass at Bullwoal village in 1862 and revered for his wisdom, spirit of generosity and preaching of the oneness of all religions — died in 1940 at Mazara Nau Abaad at Banga village – having earned the title ‘Shri Nabh Kanwal Raja Sahib’.
The Angeetha Sahib – the gold spired central Gurdwara on the 30-acre premises of the Rasokhana, marks the place where Shri Nabh Kanwal Raja Sahib’s last rites were performed. An eternal flame still marks the spot.
While the Rasokhana established in 1916 by Raja Nabh Kanwal himself is the oldest building on the premises, the Angeetha Sahib, the surrounding huge sheds and langar halls were constructed later.
Yet other buildings are under construction, including a creamy white structure featuring beautiful marble inlay work.
While thousands of devotees thronged the site during a “Shukrana Samagam” today, it is famous for holding one of the biggest langars in the region with per day expenditure of up to 6 crore.
Of the countless gurdwaras marking the state and Doaba, the Rasokhana stands out for the continued upholding of the centuries-old syncretic traditions amalgamating multiple religious schools of thought with Gurmat discipline under the foundational belief – “God is One”.
The imagery at the Angeetha Sahib bears testimony to the same belief.
The entrance wall has images of Lord Shiva, Lord Ram, Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Gobind Singh, Bal Gopal and winged goddesses ushering in visitors.
To illustrate, a committee member recites what Raja Nabh Kanwal wrote, “Tu Hi Ram Avtar, Tu hi Krishna Murari, Tu Hi Dhaul Asvar, Tu Hi Gorakh Gobind, Anhar Haq Mansoor Tu”.
Committee member Amrik Singh Bullowal says, “The main thought he propagated was that god is one. Gurus, Ram, Allah and Jesus are different avatars and forms bearing the message of the one god. It’s due to Raj Sahib’s good graces that people of all religions come here. Through Raja Sahib, they are introduced to the Guru Granth Sahib.”
He adds, “Raha Sahib recited the Chuapai Sahib’s bani a lot. He explained that all creation was from one god, who is the only king we should bow before. Devotees terming him as a messenger of the same god, started calling him ‘Raja’. The name ‘Nabh Kanwal’ was given to him symbolising the lotus, which even amid the sludge and hypocrisy of the world continues spreading its aroma like seers do.”
On the ideology behind the Rasokhana, Bullowal says, “Raja Sahib believed no person should be bereft of food and shelter. A proponent of the Udasi tradition in Sikhism, he established 10 to 12 gurdwaras in the region and his followers established many more across the world.”
