Gurdwara Manji Sahib weaves narrative etched in heritage

Nestled just beyond Ludhiana’s industrial edges, Gurdwara Manji Sahib in Alamgir rises not only as a place of worship, but also as a living narrative etched in the soul of Sikh heritage.

This sacred site commemorates a transformative moment in 1704, when Guru Gobind Singh, in flight after the battle of Anandpur Sahib, stopped here while disguised as Uchh Da Pir.

It was at Alamgir that the Guru, shedding his disguise, mounted a horse offered by Bhai Naudha, signifying the return to his warrior self. When confronted with the scarcity of clean water, he is believed to have shot an arrow into the ground, from which sprang the Tirsar (Arrow Lake), a natural spring that devotees continue to regard as miraculous. Bathing in its waters is said to bring healing—both physical and spiritual.

A devotee visiting Gurdwara Manji Sahib shared, “Every time I step into this sacred space, I feel the presence of Guru Gobind Singh. Bathing in Tirsar isn’t just tradition—it’s healing. My faith grows stronger with every visit.”

The manji (palanquin) that carried Guru Gobind Singh on his journey is still preserved underground within the six-storey Gurdwara complex, a striking structure that invites pilgrims from near and far. The site breathes with daily seva, langar and timeless reverence. Devotees keep returning to the Gurdwara as Gagan says, “When life becomes tough, I return to the marble stillness of Gurdwara Manji Sahib—where my childhood steps echo back peace and time kneels beside memory.”

“Even today, in an age of speed and screens, this historic sanctuary offers pause. Faith here is not performative—it is personal, resilient and quietly radiant. Gurdwara Manji Sahib doesn’t just preserve history, it animates it with every step a devotee takes across its marble threshold,” says Amrik Singh, a devotee.