Gurdwara Sacha Sauda Nankana Sahib and Hiran Minar 1 Day Tour

Gurdwara Nankana Sahib

Gurdwara Janam Asthan also referred to as Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, is a highly revered gurdwara that is situated at the site where the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, was born. The shrine is located in Nankana Sahib, Punjab, approximately 65 kilometres from Lahore. Nankana Sahib had previously been known as Rāi Bhoi Kī Talvaṇḍī, but was eventually renamed in honour of Guru Nanak. Gurdwara Janam Asthan is believed to be located at the site where Guru Nanak was born to Mehta Kalu and Mata Tripta. The gurdwara forms part of an ensemble of nine important gurdwaras in Nankana Sahib. The shrine is frequently visited by Sikh yatris as part of a pilgrimage route in Pakistan.

Gurdwara Sachcha Sauda is situated at a distance of 37 miles from Lahore on the Lahore-Lyallpur Railway Line. Guru Nanak as a young man was sent by his father Mehta Kalu, who was hoping to instill a sense of business in his son, to buy some goods which he cold return home with, then sell and make a profit. Sacchasauda.jpg At least that was Mehta Kalu's plan but along the way to his destination, the young Nanak came across some sadhus who were hungry and without food. The Guru to be decided to use the sum his father had given him (a sum of Rs. 20) with which to provide a meal, a langar for the Sadhus. Returning home without any purchases Mehta Kalu was very annoyed. But young Nanak explained to his father that as he saw it he had done a very good deed, feeding the starving Sadhus, and gaining the best profit one could gain from the money. It would not be the last time that Mehta Kalu would worry over his son.

Hiran Minar Tomb

The Hiran Minar is located in the city of Sheikhupura, about 40 kilometers northwest of Lahore, near the Sheikhupura. Hiran Minar was built during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir in a hunting reserve used by the Mughal royals. The reserve was built in a scrub forest, and allowed Mughal emperors to experience a sense of semi-wilderness near the imperial city of Lahore. The wild-reserve was used as a park where visitors could enjoy the sport of hunting. The minaret itself was built in 1606 C.E. as a monument to Emperor Jahangir's beloved pet antelope, Mansiraj ("lord of all animal beings"). Emperor Jahangir like all Mughal rulers loved to hunt animals like antelope . Oddly enough Jahangir also had a special bond with an antelope he called Mansraj. Tragedy strikes during one of his hunting exhibitions with some friends and he regretfully ends the life of his beloved companion. Heartbroken by the loss, Jahangir constructed this 100 ft tall Hiran Minar to honor his pet antelope.