Gurdwara Sri Choha Sahib Ji
About Gurdwara Sri Choha Sahib Ji
While travelling towards Mecca Guru Nanak Dev Ji reached this place where now Gurdwara is located. He arrived here from Tilla Jogian. Tilla Jogian is about 15 kms from Rohtas Fort. After a long journey by foot in the summer Mardana felt too thirsty and at the same time the valley was also suffering from drought. Bhai Mardana requested Guru Nanak Dev Ji , “Lord, in this area water is a rare commodity. Humans, animals and birds all are affected by the scarcity. Guru Nanak Dev Ji then struck the earth with his cane and moved a stone and there appeared a spring of cool, clean and fresh water and small rivulets started running from it. Water spring is called “Choha” (Choha is local word that means spring), hence this place got the name ‘Choha Sahib’.
Even today the residents of the fort use the water of this spring. Sher Shah Suri (about 25 years later) built a magnificent fort adjacent to Gurdwara. The sacred site of Gurdwara Choha Sahib Ji showing its splendour outside Kabuli Darwaza (gate) of Rohtas fort is on the bank of River Ghan. Making use of the water of the spring Sher Shah Suri built the fort in 1541 after he removed Humayun from this territory and with an aim to stop attacks from Durranis he staged his army at the camp. The spring could not be brought in to the complex of the fort despite of three attempts as it sprang out of the fort every time.
Now it is outside the western gate of the fort. Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji (6th Guru) has also visited this Gurdwara. Sardar Charat Singh made a concrete tank and a room where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was established.. He allotted one village as jagir which however was disaffiliated by the British. The Gurdwara was constructed outside Kabuli gate. The present building was constructed in 1834 on the orders of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It is a beautiful building with River Ghan on one side and the fort on the other with forest around the remaining sides. The access to the building was from inside the fort but now there is a small road to Gurdwara.
The shrine presents fascinating natural beauty surrounded by Ghan Nadi (stream), fort, large trees and under growth. Rohtas Fort is a famous historical place of sub-continent that is just 7 kilometers from Dina (from main GT road) and then further just 1 km is Gurdwara Choha Sahib Ji. Maharaja Ranjit Singh assigned 27 ghumaon of land and Rs 260 to it. There are 32 windows that keep the Gurdwara enlightened for the whole day. Due to its thickness of the outer walls (4 feet) that makes it all weather house. The serenity within and in the surroundings of Gurdwara along with its superb landscapes is the unique peaceful place on earth. It was damaged during partition time but it is again renovated but so far no Parkash in this Gurdwara but expected soon.
