Minar-e-Begampura at Khuralgarh Sahib

 

Minar-e-Begampura at Khuralgarh Sahib

I wrote about the Guru Ravidass memorabilia at Khuralgarh Sahib (Village Khurali) in Tehsil Garhshankar of Dstrict Hoshiarpur in Punjab in my blog on April 22, 2016 after the Punjab Government decided and pronounced to build a befitting memorial donated to the great guru and harbinger of equality and justice, Guru Ravidass. I thought of revisiting the issue after seeing a recent report on the PTC Channel in which a dismal state of affairs at the site of Minar-e-Begampura was given as a painful revelation that the memorial was lying as a deserted site and nobody was bothered about it. It is a matter of pity and concern which must be registered with the current

administration and the past and forthcoming governing outfits. It goes without saying that all the political parties and their leaderships are falling on each other to woo the dalit voters, the followers of Guru Ravidass, for grabbing the corridors of power in Chandigarh but are blissfully ignorant of the ground reality and willful and I repeat willful neglect of matters of interest and concern to dalits. This mindset needs further elaboration to put the things in their right perspective.

The memorial, Minar-e-Begampura is a historical site where the great Guru Ravidass stayed and lived for more than 4 years. One of the travel and tour companies to promote the site as a tourist attraction wrote in its brochure -  “Khuralgarh Sahib: Khuralgarh Sahib is one of the most prominent historical places of Guru RaviDas ji  situated at village Kharali, Garhshanker, district Hoshiarpur. Khuralgarh Sahib is revered as this place was visited by Sri Guru Ravidas. As per the legend Guru visited this place after being persuaded by Meera Bai for the upliftment of the weaker section. Guru’s preaching attracted a huge following which upset the local ruler. The Guru was arrested and imprisoned. As punishment HE was ordered to grind the Corn in a local grinding mill known as CHAKKI. Guru, as is believed, sat in a Samadhi and the corn was being grinded by itself. Seeing this, prison guards went and told the Ruler that Guru is no Ordinary Human Being but a divine incarnation. After seeing the miracle of corn coming out of Chakki without any human intervention, The Ruler realized the mistake and set Guru free. Since the area had shortage of water, the ruler requested the Guru to bless the place. It is said that Guru turned a stone in a dry river bed with his left toe thumb and a spring erupted which is presently known as Charan Choh Ganga. Wake up early morning. The guest’s have an option of trekking down to the Ganga or drive through a private jungle. Minar-e-Begampura, a 151 feet high hallmark of Guru Ravidass Memorial is also being constructed here.”With this background, one may say that Minar-e-Begampura would attract the masses as  a ‘Journey of Faith’ to pay obeisance to Guru Ravidass, the proponent of the concept of ‘Begampura Shehar’(city without sorrow) to bring about ‘ Democratic Socialism ‘in India and the world at large.

The site of spiritual interest and importance at Khuralgarh Sahib is a historical place which was blessed and adorned by Guru Ravidass in 1515. Baba Banta Ram Ghera of All India Ad-dharam Mission was instrumental in research and establishment of Guru Ravidass Dharam

Baba Banta Ram Ghera

Asthan and Charan Choh Ganga in the hilly train of Village Kharali. The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Parkash Singh Badal decided to acquire 15 acres of land in between the Dharam Asthan and the Charan Choh Ganga thoughtfully and erect Minar-e-Begampura as a memorial of Guru Ravidass at the estimated cost of about Rs.110 crores. The foundation of the memorial was laid in April, 2016. The Akali-BJP Government started work but was unseated by the Congress Government of Captain Amrinder Singh in March/April, 2017. With regard to the progress of work at Minar-e-Begumpura, I checked the factual position and ground reality from the stake holders like All India Ad-dharam Mandal independent of the media reports and found that PTC report revealed only a ‘half truth’by saying that no work has been done. There may be some political motivation in these reports. The fact, as I came to know, is that about 70% work has been done but it requires completion and further impetus to dedicate the memorial to the public. The earlier the better.

One thing comes to surface. Though all political parties have no other option but to engage with the followers of Guru Ravidass in view of their sizeable vote bank yet most of their promises turnout to be mere ‘lollipops’ to satisfy them. Political will is missing. Mindset to keep dalits on the margins is still at work. Otherwise there is no explanation as to why Minar-e-Begampura could not be completed in five years which was to be finished in 15 months as planned. In the wake of the forthcoming elections in Punjab early next year, all

Sant Satwinder Hira explaining the historical background of the Holy site

political parties and their leaders are visiting the important dalit Deras like Sachkhand Ballan and others. These Deras and spiritual leadership of dalits could play a definite role in getting and securing a due space and place in the emerging political and social equations, if they act wisely. But it is a matter of regret to say, as far as I know, there is hardly any visible ‘Think Tank ‘working behind the Deras to advise and persuade them to work and watch the interests of the community. They tend to get satisfied by ‘loaves and crumbs’ of police escort vehicles and gun-wielding security guards and photo opportunities with political big-wigs. These political vested interests tend to exploit the community by keeping them divided to negate the effect of 35% dalit share in the population of Punjab, the highest in the country. We are to educate ourselves and stand up to meet the challenges ahead. Nobody else would do this for us. If not, these projects like Minar-e-Begampura would remain hanging in the air and we would remain bemoaning and complaining.

हर दर्दमंद दिल को रोना मेरा रुला दे ;

बेहोश जो पड़े हैं शायद उने जगा दे।