Gurudwara Shri Tutti Gandhi Sahib - Gurudwara in Sri Muktsar Sahib - Sri Muktsar Sahib, India

Gurudwara Sri Tutti Gandhi Sahib-Shri Muktsar Sahib Muktsar is one of the holiest Sikh cities. If you have relatives in Punjab, then you may ask them to take you around. On the other hand you can hire a car/cab from Delhi or Amritsar. We decided to travel on our own. There is a direct train from Delhi to Muktsar (DLI - FKA express train; number 14731) but its time of arrival at Muktsar (2353) may not suitable for a first time traveler. Since Amritsar and Damdama Sahib (at Talwandi Sabo) was also on our itinerary, we decided to travel from Amritsar to Bathinda by train. The JAT-BTI express (19226) leaves Amritsar at 0155 am (slightly late, but transport is easily available in Amritsar especially in the vicinity of Golden temple) and reaches Bathinda at a favorable time at 0935am. You should book a sleeper for the night. On the other hand you can take the FZR intercity (train no 14625) from Delhi Sarai Rohilla station at 0645am which reaches Bhatinda at 1240 noon. From here you can travel to Takhat Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo (30 km) away, or go to Muktsar which is about 50 KM away. There are buses from Bathinda bus station, going to both this places. The bus station is about 3km from the Railway station and the three wheeler will charge you only ten rupees for a journey there. I stayed at Basant hotel, situated right in front of the railway station. A bus ride to Muktsar cost 50 rupees one way and the journey takes about one hour. From the bus stop you can take a rickshaw to the main Gurudwara complex of Muktsar called the Sri Darbar Sahib. There are 4 Gurudwara (Gurudwara Tuti Gandi Sahib, Gurudwara Shahid Ganj Sahib, Gurudwara Tambu Sahib and Gurdwara Mata Mai Bhago Ji) and a Museum in this area and a further 3 Gurudwara about 3 Km away (Gurudwara Tibbi Sahib, Gurudwara Sri Rakabsar Sahib and Gurudwara Sri Datansar Sahib) Gurudwara Tuti Gandi Sahib ( Sri Darbar Sahib) marks the site where the 40 Sikhs who had parted company with Shri Guru Gobind Singhji at Anandpur Sahib, having repented, returned back and fought the Mughal . They all attained martyrdom here, were forgiven and blessed by the Guru (master) as the liberated ones (Chali Muktas) and are remembered daily in the Sikh prayers (Ardas). By forgiving them, Guru Gobind singhji retied the knot between himself and these Sikhs. This is referred to as Tuti Gandi ( 'broken- retied'), and at this site is now situated Gurudwara Tuti Gandi Sahib ( Sri Darbar Sahib). There is a large tree, in the vicinity of this temple where Guruji had tied his horse. These 40 were cremated by Shri Guru Gobind SinghJi behind Gurudwara Tuti Gandi Sahib and there is a Gurudwara there, called Gurudwara Shahid Ganj Sahib. There is a large sarovar (sacred Pool) in this area and near one corner of it, are situated two more Gurudwaras. One of these is the Gurudwara Tambu Sahib marking the spot where the 40 muktas took position behind trees and shrubs which they camouflaged to look like tents during the war. Next to Gurudwara Tambu sahib is the Gurdwara Mata Mai Bhago Ji who had motivated the 40 Sikhs to rejoin the Tenth Sikh Guru. She was injured but survived this war. Don't forget to visit the the museum in this complex. You can have food in the langar (free kitchen).There is also a sarai with 40 rooms for accommodation. However I did not stay in the sarai as I travelled back to Bathinda the same evening. I understand from internet search that there are a couple of hotels in town but none was visible to me. Those who visit this place, are to remember that the birth place of the 2nd Master, Shri Guru Angad Sahib Ji is situated nearby, just 15Km away at Sarai Naga village on Muktsar -Kotkapura road. The three wheeler charged me 300 rupees for a return journey. Please note that the roads of Muktsar are in bad shape and not befitting the importance and tourist potential of this town.

1705 Battle of Muktsar Under the pressure of a prolonged siege with food and ammunition exhausted, Guru Gobind Singh and 400 Sikhs left Sri Anandpur Sahib on the bitter cold and rainy night of December 1704. The Mughals and Ajmer Chand's league of Rajput Hill Chieftains had offered Guru Sahib a safe passage to leave Anandpur Sahib on an oath sworn on the Quran, an oath that had been signed by emperor Aurangzeb, as well as, an oath sworn on the Gita and the cow (which hindus consider sacred) by the Rajput Chieftains. However, their respective 'Holy' oaths proved to be meaningless as they lost little time betraying their promises to Guru Sahib, almost as soon as the Sikhs had left the safety of their impregnable fortress. In the ensuing battle, many Sikhs were killed and all of the Guru's baggage, including most of the precious manuscripts, were lost. Guru Gobind Singh was seperated from his family. The hindu and muslims forces were responsible for torturing and killing Guru Gobind Singh's mother and all 4 sons, at Chamkaur and Fatehgarh Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh started looking out for a suitable place from where he could defend himself. Assisted by an experienced guide of a Brar chief, Guru Gobind Singh reached Khidrane Di Dhab where he finally decided to meet the enemy. Guru Gobind Singh received news that he was being pursued by the imperial troops, an advance guard of at least 10,000 strong, under Wazir Khan, the evil subedar of Sirhind. Earlier, in 1704, when the Guru Gobind Singh's Army in Anandpur Sahib had run out of provisions, 40 Sikhs from Majha deserted him, where they signed a declaration saying they were no longer the Sikhs of Guru Gobind Singh and he was no longer their guru. Now, those 40 deserters came back to join the Guru's forces, realizing their mistake of deserting him, under the motivation of a woman fighter, Mai Bhago. The Sikhs engaged the mughal forces at Khidrane Di Dhab. Guru Gobind Singh also sent reinforcements, heavily outnumbered they showered arrows from his strategic position on the mound, down upon the imperial army, killing a number of them. The resistance of the Sikhs became fierce. The enemy became restive for want of water. It was not possible for them to reach the lake of Khidrana. As it was semi-desert terrain and the summer heat was reaching its peak, Guru Gobind Singh knew of its importance and based his defenses around the water reservoir. The only water they could get was fifteen miles behind them. The tough resistance offered by the Sikhs, and thirst, compelled the mughal army to retreat. Guru Gobind Singh won this last Khalsa battle, which had resulted in heavy casualties. At the end of the battle, when he was looking for survivors, Mai Bhago, who was lying wounded with 22 wounds on her body, told Guru Sahib how the forty deserters had laid down their lives fighting in the battlefield. Mai Bhago had fought by carrying a weapon weighing 11 kilograms. Mai Bhago recovered and remained in the Guru's presence after the Battle of Muktsar. When Guru Gobind Singh, along with his Sikhs, was collecting the dead bodies for cremation, he found one man, named Mahan Singh, still clinging to life. On seeing the Guru, he made an effort to rise; the Guru at once took him in his embrace, and sat down with him. Mahan Singh, tearful and exhausted, asked Guru Gobind Singh to destroy the document disclaiming his being a Sikh of the Guru. Before Mahan Singh died, Guru Gobind Singh took the document and tore it up. This gave "Mukti", meaning freedom, to those 40 Sikhs and hence, the city received its modern-day name Muktsar, where the word "sar" is derived from the word "sarovar", meaning reservoir, with reference to the Kidrana reservoir.

Waheguru ji, very beautiful and peaceful place. Well Managed by the management. Felt very good and found peace of mind when visited this Gurdwara Sahib. I would recommend everyone to visit this place at once in lifetime. dhan dhan shri guru Gobind Singh ji

A historical Gurudwara Sahib situated in Shri Mukatsar Sahib. A long before, this place was known as "Khidraane di dhaab", when "40 mjhails" usually reffered as "40 mukte" got martyred here during fight against mughals, this place got this new name" Shri Mukatsar Sahib". Guru Gobind Singh Sahib spent a long time in this area in his lifetime. A must visit place for every Sikh pilgrim.

This Gurudwara Sahib belongs to 40 Martyrs also known as Chaali Mukte at Mukatsar Sahib. Here Guru Gobind Singh ji torn Bedaawa ( written by Bhai Maha Singh and others ) on the request by Bhai Maha Singh ji.

GURUDWARA SHRI TUTI GANDI SAHIB is situated in the Mukatsar City. When 40 Sikhs Deserted SHRI GURU GOBIND SINGH JI in Anandpur Sahib saying that neither you are our nor we are your Sikhs, and left for there homes. There wifes taunted them and forced them to go back to GURU SAHIB . And by motivation from MATA BHAG KAUR JI (MAI BHAGO JI) and her lead they reached here in search of GURU SAHIB. By the time Muslim Army following GURU Sahib ALSO reached here. They had battle with the army, GURU SAHIB also took part in battle sitting on small hill top (TIBI) by shooting arrows on the enemies. All the sikhs died except two who were in injured state. GURU SAHIB came took head of the Surving Sikhs BHAI MAHA SINGH. GURU SAHIB asked them for there last wish, then BHAI SAHIB asked GURU SAHIB to tear the letter they had signed in Anandpur Sahib disowing him as there GURU. GURU SAHIB immediately and tore it. Bhai Maha Singh ji breated his last in GURU SAHIB\"s lap. MAI BHAGO JI who was seriously wounded, later got recovered and served GURU SAHIB till his end. These Sikhs are remembered in daily ardas by all sikhs in whole world. GURU SAHIB tied the knot between him and his sikhs, hence the name of GURUDWARA SAHIB is named as TUTI GANDI SAHIB. Pic Credit: Gurjot Singh (Muktsar) 98552 38004

The last battlefield of the tenth Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Gobind Singh, lies in the district's main city. A huge battle, knowns as Battle of Muktsar, took place between the Mughals and the Sikhs in 1705 where a Gurudwara, Gurudwara Tibbi Sahib, now marks the site.

A great place of Guru Gobind Singh Patshah ji. The place where Guru sahib showed a great love for his Khalsa and proved Khalsa is no less than his sons. The Guru who even had not stopped for some moments for his Sahibzaadas(sons) at Chamkaur took head of Maha Singh in his laps and gave him too much love. Dhan Dhan Dhan O great father of us.... Dhan Pita ji Patshah Guru Gobind Singh ji