Baba Bakala

The historical gurudwara at Baba Bakala is situated at a distance of 45 kms from Amritsar. Its importance lies in the fact that here Makhan Shah Lubana in his search for the true Guru ultimately discovered him and declared the news yelling from the top of a house. This eventually resulted in a beautiful and serene Gurudwara and came to be known as Baba Bakala after the village where he was revealed for the greater benefit of mankind.

Baba Bakala was supposed to be the successor of Guru Harkrishan and adorn his place after his death. Prior to his death in Delhi on the 30th day of March in the year 1664, Guru Harkrishan though very week but muttered the words, 'Baba Bakala', thereby indicating that his successor was to be found at Bakala village in Amritsar. Baba Tegh Bahadur was the one and only presiding Baba at Bakala during this time. Popularity of the Babas actually had given rise to many self-declared Babas who actually were frauds and it was getting difficult to recognize the true Baba with all his spiritual powers.

Makhan Shah Lubana who was a Banjara trader from Jhelum district discovered the Guru for the first time as he was saved by Baba Bakala. The saying goes that a ship carrying his goods got struck in heavy storm and as his last resort he knelt down and prayed to God and Guru Nanak to save him from the dire consequences.

He promised a donation of five hundred dinars to the Guru for charitable purposes if he was saved. The grace of the God prevailed and his ship steered safely off the wild storm. To honor his vows he reached Baba Bakala but only found the numerous several imposters posing as Guru. He planned to offer only two Dinars to every Guru posing to be Guru Harkrishan's successor because only the true Guru can, by his spiritual power, know what amount was vowed to him.

This trick worked and eventually the true Guru asked for the exact amount promised. Thus the 9th Prophet Guru Teg Bahadur was recognized by the Sikh devotee Makhan Shah Lubana. The underground meditating of Guru Tegh Bahadur later developed as the Baba Bakala Gurudwara. Beautiful paintings showcasing pictures from the history of the Sikhs adorn the walls of the Baba Bakala Gurudwara. The no moon nights of the year see mass gathering in this holy shrine. Raksha Bandhan ceremony is also celebrated every year with great pomp and attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the country