Nanakmatta Sahib Gurudwara
Nanakmatta is a historical town named after the Sikh pilgrimage site, Gurdwara Nanak Mata Sahib, in the state of Uttarakhand. The town is associated with Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Hargobind. It is situated on the bank of Deoha stream, which has since been dammed into a reservoir named Nanak Sagar. The Gurudwara is located 15 kilometres west of Khatima Railway Station on road to Tanakpur. The holy shrine is near the town of Sitarganj. It is one of three Sikh Holy places in the state, with others being Gurdwara Hemkunt Sahib and Gurudwara Reetha Sahib.
Gurudwara Sri Nanakmatta Sahib is associated with the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev who went there during his third Udasi in 1514, in which he travelled to Mount Kailash.[citation needed] At that time, Gurdwara Sri Nanakmatta Sahib was the abode of the devotees of Guru Gorakhnath and it was called “Gorakhmata”. Nanakmatta sahib is a great religious place since ancient time. Many places are here worth visit when you come to this place. This place is of historical importance due to the fact that Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Baba Almast Sahib ji, and Guru Har Gobind Singh Ji visited this place in different times. The list of the places is long, some of them are summarized here.
Tourist Attraction
Main Gurudwara
In main Gurudwara Dhoona Sahib and Bhora Sahib are situated which depicts the Spirituality Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. After Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Baba Al Mast Ji came here. Baba Al mast (means enthusiast) had been preaching Sikh religion at Nanak Matta. He was expelled from his shrine by the Jogis who had also burnt the sacred pipal tree under which Guru Nanak had held debate with the followers of Gorakh Nath. Enduring all hardships, Baba Al Mast Sahib waited until the Guru Har Gobind Singh Ji came to repair and take possession of Guru Nanak’s temple.
Gurudwara Bhandara Sahib
Guru Nanak Dev ji came here during his Third Udasi or travel in 1514 A.D. At that time the Siddhas (or yogis) who inhabited this place demanded a variety of foods from Guru ji. On the instructions of Guru Sahib, Bhai Mardana climbed up a banyan tree and vigorously shook its branches. To the amazement of the yogis, a variety of foods fell down from the branches of the tree and satisfied the hunger of the yogis and Bhai Mardana.
At the place where this event happened a Gurudwara was constructed thereafter known as Gurudwara Sri Bhandara Sahib Ji. This Gurudwara is nearly 400 Mtrs from the Main Gurudwara in Nanak Matta Sahib.
Doodh Wala Kuan
Gurudwara Doodh Wala Khuan ( Kuan ) Sahib is located near Gurudwara Nanak Matta Sahib. The Siddhas who inhabited this place possessed a large number of cows. Bhai Mardana expressed a desire for milk. Guru ji told him to ask the yogis for some milk. The Siddhas refused to give him any milk and taunted him by telling him to get milk from his Guru. By virtue of his spiritual powers, Guru Sahib drew all the milk from the cows of the yogis and stored it in a well. It is said that the water of this well tasted like milk. Since that time, this well is called the Doodh Wala Khuh, or the Well of Milk. Along with the historic well, the Gurudwara is Constructed thereafter Known as Gurudwara Doodh Wala Kuan.
Gurudwara Baba Almast Sahib
Gurudwara Baba Al Mast Sahib JI is constructed in the memory of Baba Almast Sahib Ji. In the time of the Sixth Guru Sri Hargobind Sahib Ji a Sikh called Almast used to serve this shrine under the Pipal tree, sanctified by the Guru’s visit. He was pestered by Gorakh Panthis to vacate the place as they wanted to re-establish their centre there. He had been expelled from his shrine by the Jogis who had also burnt the sacred pipal tree under which Guru Nanak Dev Ji had held debate with the followers of Gorakh Nath.
On account of the troubles of Baba Al Mast Sahib JI the Sixth Guru Sri Hargobind Sahib Ji decided to visit Nanakmata , taking with him a troop of his armed retainers. The Jogis, in order to terrify him, made a show of their supernatural powers, but could produce no effect on the Guru, and thus retreated. Guru Ji took the possession of this place again and restored it as Sikh shrine. Guru Ji sprinkled saffron on the pipal tree which came back to its full bloom.
Gurudwara Sixth Patshahi
Gurdwaras Patshahi Sixth Sahib is situated on the outskirts of the town of Nanak Matta, district Udham Singh Nagar, about one and a half kms from the main Gurdwaras Nanak Matta Sahib. Gurdwaras Patshahi Sixth Sahib, Nanak Mata, is associated with the Sixth Guru, Guru Har Gobind Sahib Ji who visited this place on his way to Pilibhit. Guru ji tied his horses at this place and made preparations for his onward journey to Pilibhit.
Historical Pipal Tree
Historical Panja Sahib (The historical Pipal tree) is situated in the main Gurudwara Campus between the main Gurudwara and the Gurudwara Sixth Patshahi. Guru Nanak Dev ji reached this place and sat for meditation under a dry pipal tree, which becomes green due to the holy sangat of Guru Ji. The yogis were surprised to see him there as this place was quite inaccessible, especially during the winters.
The yogis using their occult powers pulled it from the earth and tried to fly it in the air to disturb the meditation of the Guru Nanak Dev Ji. When this tree comes out of the earth and its roots were sufficiently above the ground, Guru Ji put his hand (Panja) on the roots of the Pipal tree. The tree stops flying and remained in the current situation. The roots of the pipal tree above the ground can be seen even today.
Bowli Sahib
Baoli Sahib, is located on the banks of the river Ghagghar in the town of Nanak Matta, district Udham Singh Nagar, situated near Nanak Sagar Dam. It is about one and a half kms from Gurudwara Nanakmata Sahib. This place is known so because here is a small baoli of water. This baoli was brought here by the order of Shri Gurunanak dev Ji. Very interesting more story about Baoli Sahib.
Sarover
In main Gurudwara area a large sarovar situated. people come here to bath in spiritual water and you can see in water a large number of colored fishes in sarovar.
Nanak Sagar Dam
Nanak Sagar Dam is an earthen embankment dam situated in Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttrakhand state. The Nanak Sagar Dam is 16.5 meters high and 19200 meters long. Ganga River serves as the basin for this dam. Nearest cities from this dam are khatima sitarganj and nanakmatta.
Nanak Sagar Dam is a tourist place, enjoy the area with tea.