The Founding of Amritsar

Dadi: "Guddu beta, have you heard of the Golden Temple - the most sacred place for Sikhs?"

Guddu: "Yes! In Amritsar! It's covered in gold!"

Dadi: "That's right! Today I'll tell you how Amritsar was founded - a story of miracles, healing, and divine vision."

Guddu: "Who founded it?"

Dadi: "Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru. Before he became Guru, he was known as Bhai Jetha. The third Guru, Guru Amar Das, gave him a special mission: "Find a place to build a new Sikh community.""

Guddu: "Where did he look?"

Dadi: "He searched for a perfect spot and found an uninhabited area about twenty-five miles from Goindwal. It was special because Guru Nanak himself had visited there long ago - a place with a natural pond surrounded by berry trees."

Guddu: "Guru Nanak had been there?"

Dadi: "Yes! It was like the land was waiting for its destiny. Some say Guru Ram Das purchased the land from a nearby village for 700 rupees, collected from Sikh donations. Others say Emperor Akbar was so impressed by the Guru that he gifted the land!"

Guddu: "Even the Mughal Emperor respected him?"

Dadi: "Great souls are recognized by people of all backgrounds, beta. Now, here comes the miraculous part. Have you heard of Bibi Rajni?"

Guddu: "No, who was she?"

Dadi: "Bibi Rajni was a devoted woman whose husband was terribly ill with leprosy - a disease that made his body covered with sores. He couldn't walk properly. People avoided him out of fear."

Guddu: "That's so sad!"

Dadi: "One day, Bibi Rajni was carrying her husband on a cart. They stopped near the pond at this place. She left him under a berry tree and went to find food. While she was gone, something incredible happened."

Guddu: "What?"

Dadi: "Her husband saw some crows dive into the pond. When they came out, their black feathers had turned white! Curious, he crawled into the water himself."

Guddu: "And then?"

Dadi: "When Bibi Rajni returned, she didn't recognize the handsome, healthy man standing before her! The water had completely healed his leprosy! Every sore was gone!"

Guddu: "A miracle pond!"

Dadi: "When Guru Ram Das heard about this, he confirmed the water's sacred properties. He declared, "This pool is supreme among all places of pilgrimage." The berry tree where Bibi Rajni left her husband became known as "Dukh Bhanjani Beri" - the berry tree that relieves pain and affliction. It still stands there today!"

Guddu: "People can still see it?"

Dadi: "Yes! After hearing about the miracle, Bibi Rajni's healed husband and many devoted followers helped Guru Ram Das build a larger reservoir with steps going down into the water, and religious structures around it."

Guddu: "What was the city called at first?"

Dadi: "It had several names! First "Guru ka Chakk" - the Guru's village. Then "Ramdaspur" - the city of Ram Das. Finally, the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan, gave it its famous name: "Amritsar" - which means "Pool of Nectar.""

Guddu: "Nectar - like amrit from the gods?"

Dadi: "Exactly! The water was considered sacred and healing, like divine nectar. Guru Arjan also built the famous Harimandir - which we now call the Golden Temple - right in the center of the pool."

Guddu: "Why in the center?"

Dadi: "So people would have to walk across water to reach it - symbolizing the journey across the ocean of worldly attachments to reach the divine. The temple has four doors, facing all four directions."

Guddu: "Four doors? Why?"

Dadi: "To show that people from all directions, all castes, all religions are welcome! Unlike other temples that might have restricted entry, the Harimandir is open to everyone. Anyone can enter, anyone can eat at the langar - the community kitchen."

Guddu: "That's so beautiful, Dadi!"

Dadi: "Guru Ram Das also invited 52 artisans and traders from various professions to settle in the town - carpenters, masons, goldsmiths, woodcutters. He wanted Amritsar to be not just a spiritual center, but a thriving community where people of all backgrounds could live and work together."

Guddu: "He was building a whole city, not just a temple!"

Dadi: "A city based on equality, hard work, and devotion. Today, Amritsar is sometimes called "the Vatican of Sikhism" - it's that important! Millions of people from all over the world visit the Golden Temple every year."

Guddu: "What happened to Guru Ram Das?"

Dadi: "He passed away on September 1, 1581, after choosing his younger son Arjan Dev as his successor. Guru Arjan completed his father's vision, making Amritsar the spiritual heart of Sikhism."

Guddu: "What can I learn from this story, Dadi?"

Dadi: "Many things, beta. First, that sacred places can be found in unexpected locations - an uninhabited area with a natural pond became one of the holiest sites in the world."

Guddu: "Second?"

Dadi: "Second, that miracles happen for those who have faith. Bibi Rajni's husband was healed because he was curious enough to enter the water."

Guddu: "Third?"

Dadi: "Third, that true spiritual places welcome everyone. The four doors of the Golden Temple teach us that God doesn't discriminate - all are welcome in the divine presence."

Guddu: "And fourth?"

Dadi: "Fourth, that building something meaningful takes vision and patience. Guru Ram Das didn't just dig a pool - he built a community, a city, a center of hope that has lasted over 400 years."

Guddu: "I want to visit Amritsar someday, Dadi!"

Dadi: "We will, beta. And when we do, I'll show you the Dukh Bhanjani Beri - the healing berry tree - still standing after all these centuries. We'll walk across the water to the Golden Temple and feel the peace that Guru Ram Das dreamed of."

Guddu: "And eat at the langar?"

Dadi: "Definitely! The langar serves thousands of people every day - all eating together, all equal. It's Guru Ram Das's vision still alive."

Guddu: "I can't wait, Dadi!"

Dadi: "*smiles* Neither can I, mere bacche. Neither can I."