Panchayats seek holy status for Gharam village

The Gharam village, spread around a huge mound, is believed to the paternal abode of Mata Kaushalaya, mother of Lord Rama. The excavations conducted by the Punjab Archives Department have proved the antiquity of place 20 years back with the discovery of ancient pottery and coins from the moundA deputation of the villagers, which was led by Dr M S Randhawa, claimed that the Chief Minister had assured the deputationists that the government would ensure overall development of Gharam.

The village has a historical gurdwara, an ancient temple and a very old mosque.

Dr Randhawa said Sikhs had great respect for Faqir Bhikhamshah as he not only bowed towards Patna instead of Macca on the Tenth Guru8217;s birthday but also prophesised the God8217;s prophet born at Patna Sahib and said that the prophet would treat Hindus and Muslims alike and establish a third faith to protect the rights of the oppressed.

Dr Randhawa said Guru Gobind Singh, at the age of 32 years also came to meet Bhikhamshah at Gharam. He said the Saint8217;s meeting with the Guru took place at a Baoli which is believed to have been dug on the eve of arrival of barat of Maharaja Dashrath, which was stationed at the place when Dashrath came to marry Kaushalaya, Nagri8217;s princess. The same Baoli8217; is believed to have been bricklined and renovated after Guru8217;s visit and now a beautiful gurdwara Baoli Sahib Milapsar8217; stands erected at the place, he said.

He said another historic gurdwara after the name of Banda Singh Bahadur, is built in the village to commemorate the blessed Sikh general8217;s conquest of Gharam. An ancient Shiv Mandir, believed to be a thousand years old, Suraj Kund and Samadhis of shankar Gir and other holy men are also the proud heritage of this ancient religious historic nagri he added.