Gurdwara Sri Mattan Sahib

Location - (approximate location) Mattan, Anantnag, Kashmir, Jammu And Kashmir, India

Associated with - Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji

Sikh Artifacts - unknown

Sarovar - None

Sarai - unknown

Gurdwara Mattan also called Gurdwara Guru Nanak Sahib (Anantnag).

The Gurdwara at Mattan is where Sri Guru Nanak Sahib spoke with Pandit Brahm Das who on hearing Guru Nanak's thoughts decided to follow the Guru's path.

History

When Guru Nanak started his third udasi (missionary tour, lit. travel) he visited Mansarovar, Tibet, China, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir.

Guru Nanak visited Srinagar, Anantnag and reached Mattan in the interior of the valley.

At Mattan, Guru Nanak had a discussion with Sanskrit scholar Pandit Brahm Das, who was proud of his knowledge. Guru Nanak on seeing him coming with his huge stock of books, recited the following couplet:

One may read thousands of books, with a cart load of books to follow,
One may study innumerable epics or fill,
One's cellars with volumes of study,
One may read for generations and generations,
And spend every month in the year studying
And one may read one's entire life,
Right up to one's last breath,
Sayeth Nanak, there is one truth God's name only,
All else is vanity of the egoistic mind.

Pandit Brahm Das was shaken and fell at the feet of the Guru. Guru Sahib stayed for few days at Pandit Brahm Das's residence. A Muslim Saint also discussed relegiuos aspect with Guru Sahib.

Mattan was famous for its old ruins. Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa constructed Seven Gurdwara Sahib's on the twin side of Springs, in which Sri Guru Granth Sahib were installed. These Gurdwara Sahib were removed by the Dogra traitors during 1905-1909.

Brahmins of Mattan

It may be recalled that, years later, in 1675 A.D. a group of Kashmiri Brahmins of Mattan visited Anandpur Sahib to narrate their tale of woe to Guru Tegh Bahadur. He was deeply moved by their plight. For some time he was completely absorbed in thought and a long unbroken silence descended upon the entire audience.

At this critical moment the young Sahibzada Gobind Rai, by chance entered the audience hall from outside. He enquired of his father the cause of the strange silence. Guru Tegh Bahadur informed him about the grave situation that had arisen in the country in the wake of the religious persecution of hindus by the mughal rulers and remarked that only the supreme sacrifice of a great Holy man could save the doomed Pandits. The future Guru Gobind Singh replied, 'There could be no greater Holy man to accomplish this task than you my father'. This brave remark of young Gobind Rai startled all in the room and settled the issue in the mind of the great Guru.

Guru Tegh Bahadur gave a pledge to the Pandits and said if Aurangzeb could suceed in converting him then everyone follow suit otherwise the muslims should let them live in peace. Guru Tegh Bahadur left for Delhi with several companions only after sending his challenge forward to the Emperor's officials. When Aurangzeb learned of the Guru's intentions he was furious and ordered his royal troops to arrest the Guru and his companions at once and bring them to Delhi in chains on public display.

Nothing the Emperor could do or offer the Guru and his brave companions could sway the Guru from his promise and his religion. After having each of the Guru's companions were executed in the most cruel ways in front of their earthly Master, Guru Tegh Bahadur made the supreme sacrifice on 11th November 1675 in Chandni Chowk, for the cause of truth, dharma and the freedom of those of another faith to practise their religion in their own way.

Gurdwara and Location

The Gurdwara is situated southeast of Srinagar at a distance of 62 km by road to Mattan, also called Martand, which is an ancient town four kilometers northeast of Anantnag. The Gurdwara established here is also called Gurdwara Patshahi Pehli (The Gurdwara of the First Master). Its original building, which was constructed by Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa at Maharaja Ranjit Singh's request, was replaced by the present one during the 1980s. It comprises a rectangular hall with the sanctum at one end and a verandah in front.

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