Sacha Sauda is a village near Chuharkana (now known as Farooqabad) in Punjab, Pakistan.
There are 2 Historic Sikh Gurdwaras at Sacha Sauda.
This holy Gurdwara stands gloomily in the fields on the other side of the railway line only one kilometer from Gurdwara Sri Sacha Sauda Sahib.
It was at this spot where Bhai Mardana had said that he was feeling hungry. Some Donkeys of a merchant laden with sugar were passing by. Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji told Bhai Mardana to ask the merchant as to what was in the saddle bags.
When Bhai Mardana asked the merchant, he lied and said that it was sand. Guru Nanak said, 'All right! Sand it will be!'. The merchant became worried lest the saying of Guru Nanak should come true. He checked the bags and found that it actually was sand.
He held Guru's feet and Sat Gur said if it were not sand what else could that be. The merchant said, 'Sir! It was sugar!". Guru Nanak said, 'All right! then sugar it will be!' The merchant checked again and found the bags were full of sugar. He sat at the feet of Guru Nanak and gave Bhai Mardana some of his sugar. There is a splendid Gurdwara with a dome built by the road at this place. Its condition is bad and if no maintenance is done it will disappear without leaving a trace.
At the age of eighteen, Guru Nanak Sahib Ji, was sent by his father Mehta Kalu to the city to do business. His father was disappointed that Guru Sahib's mind was not into farming and other worldly work, therefore, he thought perhaps engaging him in trade would firstly, be a good profitable profession, and secondly his son would be happy all day talking to his clients about his business.
Thinking this way and choosing an auspicious day, Mehta Kalu called Bhai Mardana Ji to accompany Guru Sahib. Mehta Kalu gave twenty rupees to Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana Ji and said, 'Go with Nanak. Buy and bring some genuine goods by selling of which we may make profit. In this way if you make a profitable transaction, next time I will send you with more money to buy goods.'
Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana Ji started from Talwandi Sabo towards Chuharkana (now known as Farooqabad) to purchase some merchandise. They had hardly gone ten or twelve miles from the village when they came across a village, where the people were starving, thirsty and sick due to lack of water and an outbreak of disease.
Guru Nanak Sahib Ji said to Bhai Mardana Ji, 'Father has asked us to carry out some profitable transaction. No bargain can be more truly profitable than to feed and clothe the needy. I cannot leave this true bargain. It is seldom that we get an opportunity to carry out some profitable transaction like this.'
Guru Nanak took all the money to the next nearest village dwelling, where he bought plentiful supply of food and brought water for these people. Guru Sahib invested the twenty rupees into what we today call 'Langar'.
Eis bhaekh ai thhaavahu gireho bhal aa jithhahu ko varas aae ||
'Instead of wearing these beggar's robes, it is better to be a householder, and give to others.'
(Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 587)
As well as bringing food and water to the villagers, Bhai Mardana Ji and Guru Sahib brought clothes for with the money that was left. Taking leave from the villagers, they started back 'empty-handed'. When his father admonished him for squandering his hard earned cash, Guru Nanak said that that was the best bargain he could have made.
Many years later, Sikhs built at the village of Sacha Sauda built a Gurdwara in memory of Guru Nanak's kindness which in due course became a popular Sikh site attracting visitors from near and far.
A land endowment of over 100 acres (250 bighas) was made to the Gurdwara during the Sikh Empire by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Gurdwara formerly administered by udasi priests was occupied by Jathedar Kartar Siá¹…gh Jhabbar on behalf of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee on 30th December 1920. At the time of its evacuation in the wake of the partition of the country in 1947, it had a huge fortress like, three storey building with domed towers.
At the age of eighteen, Guru Nanak, was sent by his father Mehta Kalu to the city to do business.
The Gurdwara is now under the management of the Waqf Board of Pakistan. Its building was renovated during 1993-94 with the help of the Sangat of England at the cost of Lakhs of Rupees, and it was opened to visit by organized Sikh jathas with the approval of Pakistan government. A new dining hall and a new water tank were constructed. Prakash of Guru Granth Sahib Ji takes place. Akhand Path Sahib is done approx. 4 times a year.
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