Gurgaddi Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji: Baba Bakala and Makhan Shah Lubana

The Gurgaddi Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji remembers how the ninth Guru was recognised at Bakala, a town near Amritsar, in 1664. Before his Joti Jot in Delhi, Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji had said only two words about his successor: Baba Bakale, the Baba is at Bakala.

Twenty-two claimants

Bakala was home to Tegh Bahadur Ji, the youngest son of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, who had lived there for many years in quiet meditation. But as word spread, twenty-two members of the Sodhi family set themselves up there as Guru, each with a following and a seat, among them Dhir Mal, who held the original pothi of the Adi Granth. The sangat did not know which to follow.

Guru ladho re

Bhai Makhan Shah Lubana was a trader whose ship had been caught in a storm. He had prayed to the Guru and vowed an offering of five hundred gold coins if he came safely to shore. Arriving at Bakala and finding so many Gurus, he placed two coins before each claimant, knowing that the true Guru would ask for what was promised. None did, until he was led to Tegh Bahadur Ji, who asked why he was giving two when he had vowed five hundred, and showed the mark on his shoulder where he had pushed the ship to safety. Makhan Shah climbed onto a roof and called to the sangat: Guru ladho re, I have found the Guru.

How the day is observed

Sangats gather for kirtan, katha and Ardas, above all at Baba Bakala Sahib, which holds a large Jorh Mela, Rakhar Puniya, every summer to remember the day.