Jor Mela Bakala (Guru Ladho Re Day)

Bakala, a town in the Majha region of Punjab, holds a unique place in Sikh history as a land sanctified by the footsteps of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is revered as the town blessed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji's visit, and it was here that Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji spent twelve years of his early life, serving his father Baba Pheru Mall Ji and receiving the first lessons of the Guru's house. The town later became the home of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, where he spent many years in meditation before being revealed as the Ninth Nanak.

Historical Background

According to the Janamsakhi tradition, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited Bakala during his travels and blessed the town. The name 'Bakala' is said to derive from the words 'Baba Kal' or 'Bakala', referring to the spiritual atmosphere of the place. The town is also known as 'Guru Ladho Re' (the Guru has been found), a phrase that echoes the joyous discovery of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji as the rightful successor to Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji.

Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji was born on April 1, 1621, in Amritsar to Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji and Mata Nanaki Ji. He spent his early years in Amritsar and later moved to Bakala, where he lived in a humble dwelling and devoted himself to meditation and service. For about twenty years, he lived in Bakala in seclusion, away from the political turmoil of the times. His presence in Bakala was known to few, and he spent his days in deep contemplation of the Divine.

After the passing of Sri Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji in 1664, a profound crisis of succession arose. The Sikhs were in search of the next Guru. Many impostors set up their own deras in Bakala, claiming to be the Guru. The true Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, remained in his humble abode, unrecognized by the masses. It was then that Baba Makhan Shah Lubana, a devout Sikh and trader, arrived in Bakala in search of the Guru. He had been told in a vision that the Guru would be found in Bakala. To identify the true Guru, he devised a test: he would offer two gold mohars to each claimant and observe their reaction. Most impostors accepted the offering greedily, but when Makhan Shah placed the coins before Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, the Guru pushed them aside, saying, 'I have no need for these. I seek only the love of the Divine.' Makhan Shah then humbly asked for more, and the Guru replied, 'You have already received what you came for.' Realizing he had found the true Guru, Makhan Shah climbed to the rooftop and proclaimed, 'Guru Ladho Re! Guru Ladho Re!' (The Guru has been found!). This event is celebrated as 'Guru Ladho Re Day' and is the origin of the Jor Mela at Bakala.

The Jor Mela, meaning 'gathering of the people', is held annually at Bakala to commemorate this historic event. It is a time when Sikhs from all walks of life gather to pay their respects, listen to kirtan and katha, and remember the life and teachings of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. The mela also marks the manifestation (birth) of the Guru, and thus it is a double celebration of his birth and his recognition as the Ninth Nanak. The event is held with great devotion and includes a large procession, continuous recitation of Gurbani, and community service (langar).

The Jor Mela Bakala serves as a reminder of the humility, patience, and spiritual strength of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, who later sacrificed his life for the freedom of conscience and the protection of the oppressed. It is a testament to the Sikh tradition of recognizing the Guru through spiritual insight rather than worldly claims. The town of Bakala remains a cherished pilgrimage site, and the annual Jor Mela continues to inspire Sikhs to follow the path of devotion, service, and truth as exemplified by the Ninth Guru.