History of Shri damdama sahib/ Talwandi sabo

Damdama means the breathing or resting place. Damdama Sahib is one of the Five Takhts of the Sikhs. (The other four Takhts are Akal Takhts, Amritsar Takht Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur, Takht Hazur Sahib, Nander (Maharashtra) and Takht Harminder Sahib Patna (Bihar). It is located at village Talwandi Sabo, 28 Km southeast of Bathinda. It is also known as Talwandi Sabo and Guru Ki Kashi. stayed here after fighting battles against Mughal atrocities. Before his arrival at Talwandi, two of the Guru’s Sons were bricked alive at Sarhand and two laid down their lives at Chamkaur Sahib.After writing Zafarnama,Guru Gobind Singh fought a successful battle at Muktsar and then moved towards Talwandi Sabo Ki.

While at Talwandi Sikhs started coming to the Guru from all over Punjab and other place. Here Gurudwara was erected in Guru’s memory.This place is also known as Guru-Ki Kashi as it was made a center of the Sikh learning.

Damdame wali Bir of Sri Guru Granth Sahib prepared here by Guru Gobind Singh. It was transcribed by Bhai Mani Singh. The hymns of Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib were added into the Bir.

It was at Damdama Sahib that Bhai Dalla was tested for his bravery by Guru Gobind singh and brought into the order of Khalsa. Was from Damdama Sahib that the Guru movd towards south. In the meantime, Aurangzeb died and the Guru helped Bahadur Shah,Aurangzeb’s eldest son to sit on the throne.

The Guru was honored by Bahadur Shah at Agra. The new Emperor also left for south but parted from the Guru at Nanded. It is said thet Bahadur Shah did not fulfill his promise to punish the officials who had committed atrocities upon the Shiks and killed Guru’s young children. The Guru commissioned Banda Bahadur to go to Punjab and punish the bring peace to the state.

Guru Gobind Singh arrived here on 20-21 January,1706 and camped outside the village. The magnificent Gurudwara Sri damdama Sahib marks the place of his stav. Here nlocal Chaudhari Bhai Dalla looked after Guruji with great devotion. He refused to arrest the Guru as directed by Wazir Khan,Nawab of Sirhind.

Mata sundry and Mata Sahib Kaur escorted by Bhai Mani Singh came here from Delhi to meet Guruji. Guruji spent nine moments of intense literary activies. Here Bhai Mani Singh prepared the holy volume under the guidance of Guruji. TalwandiThus became a seat of learning and assumed the states of “Guru Ki Kashi”.It was here that Chaudhari Tiloka and Rama,ancestors of the Phulkian( Patiala,Nabha and Jind) rules received Amni from the blessed hands of the Guru. Sacred articles of the tenth Guru, namely Sri Sahib (Sword), a mirror, a match lock, portrait of the tenth Guru, a pothi. (book) transcribed by Baba Deep Singh, Sword of Baba Deep Singh and a Persian sword are displayed in the Gurudwara Damdama Sahib.The nother sacred place at Talwandi Sabo are,Jand Sahib, Tibbi Sahib, Likhansar and Gurusar.

Guru Gobind Singh had come to Talwandi Sabo at the request of Bhai Dalla, a devoted follower. He was the Chief of Brar jats of Malwa area. He liked the place immensely and stayed here for over nine months. During his stay,the place was transformed into abode of the Khalsa and became a second Anadpur.

At damdama Sahib as it is now called,the Guru preached complete sacrifice of personal and family interested at the altar of the good of mankind. The following. Words of the great Guru expressing his firm faith in the Khalsa, are inscribed on a pillar installed by the Punjab Government. This Takht was officially recognized as the fifth on November 18,1966.