Thakarwal

[Dr Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

Thakkarwal is in Tehsil Ludhiana-1and District Ludhiana, peerchied between Lalton Kalan, Palam Vihar, Basant Avenue, Dad and Jhameri.  Gill and Jassowal RailWay Station are the very nearby railway though it is easy to come by auto or taxi from Pakhowal Road, Ludhiana main railway station or Ludhiana main Bus stand.  A number of buses also ply on Ludhiana Pakhowal road which has a stop close to Thakarwal.

The village is gradually becoming the part of Ludhiana with most of the important colonies like Basant enclave and Omaxe spread into the lands of Thakkarwal. Five concrete roads connect the village. Very prestigious schools have come in the periphery of the village.

Thakkarwal is a Grewal village originated from Lalton Kalan. It is on the outskirts of Ludhiana on Ludhiana-Pakhowal road, 8 kms from Feroze Gandhi market-Bhai Bala chowk crossing and 20 kilometers from Pakhowal. Guru Nanak set his foot in thefields of this village during his first Udasi. Since then the village is continuously flourishing and the amount of high rise structures coming up show that time is not far when it will be close to the centre of Ludhiana city. Gurdwara Nanaksar is just on the periphery of the village. As per the entry ‘Thakkarwal’ in ‘Mahankosh’ Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha ‘records: A village in Ludhiana district. It has Naaksar, the Gurdwara on the name of the first Guru (p.553) [1] Gurdham Didar confirms the above. [2]

Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited the place during his first Udasi to the east. It is said that Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji came to this place from Gau Ghat. The population gradually migrated to their fields in this area from village Lalton. At the place of visit there used to be a Johad (big pond) surrounded by Butt trees (Johad). It was a fit place for the animals to have water and rest during noon. All the old and young also used to get together for the rest, play and gossip. There was a small old Shivala in the western side near the johad. This does not exist now.  Guru Nanak found this as a fit place for rest and to hold discussions with the local people.

Initially the villagers did not care for the presence of Guru Ji. Meanwhile, an old man came taking milk and offered it to them. Guru Ji, Bhai Bala and Bhai Mardana took the milk. The old man apologized for the behaviour of the villagers. The Guru is said to have advised the local chief to be kind and just to his subjects.

The priest of the temple nearby, Thakur Das also did not care for Guru Ji. Thakur Das had migrated from Rajasthan and joined a dera in Allahabad where he served his Guru Mathura Das well. At his Guru’s death, he expected to be bestowed the vacated seat. However, the locals preferred Paramdas, an another follower of Mathura Das. Not getting his due, Thakur Das left the place in disgust and anger and came to this place where he established Shiv Mandir and started meditation.

Thakur Das saw the Guru with his followers sitting under the trees but did not bother to call on them taking them to be ordinary yogis. Guru Nanak told Bhai Mardana "Bhai Mardana! Bani has come. Please play rabab." Guru Nanak sang Gurbani in ecstasy: Brahme garb(u) kia nahi jania…….Nanak nam milai gun gai (SGGS, p.224). Thakur Das heard the singing and realised  that he has not good to ignore the saints. His ego and pride had held him from going to the three sanyasis. Guru Nanak’s hymn was mesmerizing and guided him to the right path and to live a truth life devoid of ego. Thakur Dass came and fell at Guru Nanak’s feet wishing ‘Hare Ram’.

Guru Nanak responded with, 'Sat Kartar'. Thakur Das questioned: “Is there a difference between ‘Hare Ram’ and ‘Sat Kartar?”  Guru Nanak explained: “Ram was an ideal king and only a mortal: God is always true and ever living; he never dies. All mortals are created and assimilated by God. God has always been True and will always be True. Since mortals are short-lived, they cannot be always True". Thakur Das realised the reality. The Guru asked him to remember God’s Name always: The name of the True One; the One Who helps and loves His Creation and always does the right”. He requested Guru Nanak to stay and have food. Guru Nanak encouraged Thakur Das to pray to God. Afterwards Guru Nanak continued his journey to the east.

Having heard the dialogue between the two the village folk were very much impressed. Soon the name of Guru Nanak spread all around and the people started gathering in large number. Thakur Das helped establish a village around the location which is now known as Thakarwal. The pond near which Guru Nanak sat was known as Guru Nanak Talao. Vaisakhi was celebrated like a fair where all the villagers around gathered. This place was not developed till Sant Hardial Singh Droli took over the task of constructing a Gurdwara at the place. Mukand Singh Rampur performed construction service (kar seva) with total dedication. Gurdwara Sri Nanaksar Sahib Thakarwal was rebuilt in 1928 and again in 1998. Later on, this service was taken over by Bhai Harbans Singh Delhi Kar Sewa Wale. Under the direction of Jarnail Singh an excellent building structure is in place now. A 200x190 feet water tank has been added after raising the plinth by 25 feet. Now the Gurdwara Sahib has a large complex with adequate space around it. All Gurpurabs are celebrated here. Regular maryada is performed daily and all Gurpurabs are celebrated with regularity. [3] Address of the Gurdwara is: “The Secretary, Gurdwara Nanaksar Sahib, Village Thakarwal, P.O. Lalton Kalan, Tehsil & District Ludhiana, Phone No: 0161-806515.”

This village is in the Malwa region of Punjab. It belongs to Ludhiana-I development block of the Ludhiana district. Demographics - Population includes 1038 males and 939 female residents. Out of the total population of 1977 residents 863 are registered as scheduled caste. For land use out of the total 312 hectares 216.5 hectares are cultivated by 208.5 tubewells.

References
[1] Kahn Singh Nabha ‘Mahankosh’, entry ‘Thakarwal’: A village in Ludhiana district. It has Nanaksar, the Gurdwara on the name of the fist Guru (p.553)
[2] Gurdham Didar, edited by Giani Gurdit Singh, March  2005, Dharam Parchar Committee, SGPC Sri Amritsar, p.167
[3] http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Gurdwara_Nanaksar_Sahib_%28Thakarwal%29
[4]Ajmer Singh Gyani, Grewl Sansar, p.66-67