The founder and the first Guru of Sikhs Guru Nanak Dev , while undertaking his first journey towards eastern direction of the country came to Patna in the year 1507 . During his sojourn in Patna he stayed with his devotee Jaitamal . During his stay in Patna he came in contact with Jauhari Salis Rai, who later became his devotee. Remaining four months in Patna, Gurunanak Dev offered preaching’s almost every day in morning and evening. At the time of his departure from Patna and giving the status of Sangat ( Sacred Place of Worship ) he declared Salis Rai his successor .
Ninth Guru of Sikh – Guru Teg Bahadur was the another first Guru of his sect , who undertook journey outside of the Punjab for the expansion of his sect . Those days he was on the journey of Assam. He was accompanied by his mother Nanki Devi. wife Gujari Devi, Brother Kripal Chandra and other Sikh courtiers . In way to his destination passing through Varanasi, Sasaram and Bodh – Gaya he halted at Patna for a few days. His family stayed at the same Sangat. On this very place on 26th of December, 1666 accordingly Poush Sudi 7 of 1723 Vikram era, Govind Rai (the original name of boyhood of Guru Govind Singh . ) took his birth . At the same time a Muslim Fakir Sayyed Bhikhan Shah residing at Ghoran of Patiala – hundred miles away from Patna visualized unique light on the horizon. Noticing that light he bowed down in worshiped form and uttered that the almighty has sent a new brilliant illuminating light on the earth in shape of a child , he set out towards the direction of that light with a view to have a glimpse of that sacred and newly born pious soul performing a long and tedious journey he reached Patna . To test the newly born baby he carried two pots with him – one filed with milk and other of water. Covering both of them properly he placed them before the child and realize that if he ( the child ) touches the pot of containing milk he would consider him to be follower of Islam and simultaneously on event of his touching pot of water – he would take him to be Hindu . But to the utter surprise the boy placed his both hands on twin pots simultaneously. This filled the Fakir with immense pleasure and he exclaimed with cheers – this country really needed a person like this .
Guru Govind Singh spent his first seven years of his infancy in Patna. He mentioned in his autobiography “ Vichitra Natak “ that this is the same place where I was born in Patna In course of time at the place of his birth a magnificient harimandir was constructed. But when this mandir was actually constructed there is no specific authentic information in this regard. However there is a record of some repair carried out for the first time in building by local king Raja Fateh Chand maini in 1722. is available. Mulla Ahmed Babahani who came here in Patna towards last days of 18th century has mentioned in his book Mirat ul Ahiwal the following facts -‘ devotees of Guru Govind Singh has built a palatial magnificent building in the memory of Guru Govind Singh and named as Hari Mandir. This has became the center of strength and power of Sikhs. This is also famous by the name Sangat ( a sacred place of assembly for religious discussion and discourses ) Sikhs have made it a seat of their pilgrimage . It has become a symbol of respectful dedication and devotion of Sikh community.
In 1781 Charles Willikins who has witnessed a building of Sikh college here has mentioned – “ the construction of building on the birth place of Guru Govind Singh is scattered in about 40 sq.m which is about 6 to7ft above the surface of the land. In the center there is a big room which is surrounded by other rooms. All the arch and wooden pillars there are beautiful attractive and ornamental carvings. The building is of greater length in comparison to his breadth. Whole surface is covered with carpets. By the side of the wall about 6 to 7 palanquin are placed on which the Guru Granth Sahab – the holy religious scripture book is placed . One small room is decorated with golden cloths where Manji Sahab ( palanquin with Guru Granth Sahab ) is placed in well arranged gorgeous decoration. Just above the palanquin a golden chain is having various bouquet are arranged. By the side by which there are three donation pots in which visitors inserts their donations and gifts. Letters inscribed on the Guru Granth sahab are all golden. But the present building of Hari Mandir Shaeb does not exist in the previous original form. Suitable changes have all along been done in it . Now the whole structure made of marble presents a very attractive and marvelous look. Depicting the memories of Guru Govind Singh various objects used by him such as his cradle, his wooden footwear ( Kharaun), his apron, books and other memorable commodities are well preserved there. It is said Guru Govind Singh had inscribed his name on the Dharma Granth by sharp point of his arrow.
The four most important pilgrimage of Sikh are Amritsar, Anandpur Saheb, Naded Saheb and Patna Saheb . All these were established by Guru Govind Singh. Patna Saheb is his birth place . Beside there are some additional places here which are places of importance for Sikhs.
Gurudwara Ghat Sahab- It is an old house of Guru Nanak Dev’s devotee bhakta Jaitamal . This place was made sacred firstly by the visit of Guru Nanak Dev and nextly by Guru Teg Bahadur . Guru Teg Bahadur has stayed there with his whole family in the year 1666. This is stationed at Ashok Rajpath at the distance from 4 km from Harmandir . Guru dwara Govind Ghat- It is located at the bank of river Ganga at the distance of only 200 hundreds yards from Harmandir. This is famous with the name Kangan Ghat . it is the same Ghat from where boy Govind singh has thrown the golden bracelet in to the river Ganga . The local king of the time Raja Fateh Chand Maini together with his queen was great admirer and devotee of Guru Govind Singh . Due to being issueless, both of them were very sad. One day he narrated his agony to Pandit Shivdutta . Pandit Shivdutta was having held respectful position among the Hindus. Pandit Shivdutta informed them that a boy gifted with divine qualities Govind Rai by name will transform their dejected and disappointed life into joyful one. On this assurance lives of the couple was filed with pleasure . They use to look after Govind Rai with affection and respect . One day while the queen was busy in her worship in her prayer room Govid rai suddenly appeared there and set in the lap of the queen . He was playing with his colleagues else were and together with all of them he reached there . Govind Rai spoke to the queen that they got tired due to playing and feel hungry. He demanded some edible from the queen. This was an occasion of pleasant surprise for the queen. She embraced Govind Rai . Both king and queen were quite happy. The king got prepared bread baked in Ghee ( Puri ) and fried gram . The same was served on child Govind Rai and his companion . Since than it has become a tradition to serve the Sikh devotee with fried bread and gram.
Guru Ka Bag – Towards east of Har Mandir Sahab there was spacious garden of trees belonging to two Nawab brothers – Rahim Baksh and Karim Baksh. These two brothers were admirer of Guru Nanak Dev. They were very much impressed by Govind Rai also . Guru Teg Bahadur , when arrived at Patna from Punjab , he stayed in the same garden for a while . Before arrival of Guru Teg Bahadur the garden was presenting a deserted look as all the trees were dried. The dried garden change into green once soon after the entrance of Guru Teg Bahadur . Getting the information of this miracle both Baksh borthers ran up the garden and made earnest request to Guru to accept the ownership of the garden which they willingly offered to him. Guru accepted the offer and garden has become famous as Guru Dwara Guru ka Bag which has a pond. This is located at the distance of 4 km from Hari Mandir Sahab .
Guru Dwara Handi Sahab – At the time of his departure from Patna together with his family members Guru Teg Bahadur made a first halt at a place near Danapur , about 20 km west of Patna in the house of an old lady Yamuna Devi . She prepared in a earthen pot a mixture of boiled rice and pulse food preparation to serve only Govind Rai .But miraculously enough the limited food preparation became such in as even after serving all the members of the party , the quantity remained intact . A Gurudwara has been made here also and once in a year, a holy performance is held here by Takht Hari Mandir Sahab .
Preserved memorable materials associated with the life of Guru Govind Singh in Takht Hari Mandir Sahab .
1. Guru Granth Sahab with the signature of Guru Govind Singh .
2. Oil paintings depicting the childhood activities of Guru Govind Singh known as picture Chhabi Sahab .
3. A small cradle – on which child Guru Govind Singh used to sleep known as Pandhura Sahab .
4. Small sword of Guru Govind Singh .
5. Four small arrows used by Guru Govind Singh .
6. Clay round marbles with which Guru Govind Singh used to play .
7. Small iron chakri which Guru Govind Singh used .
8. Small spear like double blade sword – known as Khanda .
9. Tiger nailed shaped dagger.
10. Wooden comb of Guru Govind Singh .
11. One pair of wooden foot pair filled with ivory used by Guru Govind Singh .
12. Order sheet ( Hukmanama ) granted by Guru Govind Singh .
13. Apron of Guru Govind Singh .
14. Wooden footwear made of sandalwood used by Guru Teg Bahadur .
15. Order sheet ( Farman ) of Guru Teg Bahadur .
16. A well used by mother of Guru Govind Singh known as Mata Gujri Ka Kuan.
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