Gurdwara Sri Mal Ji Sahib
About Gurdwara Sri Mal Ji Sahib
Gurdwara Sri Mal Ji Sahib is located in Nankana Sahib, nearby the local railway station and Gurdwara Kiara Sahib Jee. Mal literally means a shady tree (also called jal and van) under which Guru Nanak had deep sleep while grazing cattle. It is said that once Rai Bular (local ruler) was riding among the fields along with his servants in this area, he saw young Nanak sleeping in the shade of a mal tree. He saw that a Cobra snake with huge hood over his face so that his sleep was not interrupted.
On approaching the place, where the Guru Nanak was lying, the snake snailed to its pit. The Guru was awakened by the Rai Bular and he found him quite safe and sound. It is said that one of Rai Bular’s men tried to attack Cobra but Guru Nanak stopped them to do that. The Rai Bular, thus came to realise the divine personality of the Guru and became his disciple from that very day. He made it clear to Mehta Kalu that he should not take the former as merely his son but a revered holy prophet. A grant building stands erected today at this historical site.
This miracle and the incident related to Kiara Sahib convinced Rai Bular of the spiritual eminence of Guru Nanak Dev whose devotee he became. He half recognized and convinced after seeing miracle at Kiara Sahib but after seeing this miracle he had no option left other than to fully believe in him. Later on he gave half of his Jageer (land) to Guru Nanak.
Current building of Gurdwara has been renovated to commemorate 550 Salgirah. This Gurudwara, too, was first built by Diwan Kaura Mal and renovated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Daily Parkash takes place in this Gurdwara.
