Nanakmatta is a historical town named after the Sikh pilgrimage site, Gurdwara Nanak Mata Sahib, in Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand. The town is associated with Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Hargobind. It is situated on the bank of Deoha stream, which has since been dammed into a reservoir named Nanak Sagar. It is one of three Sikh Holy places in the state, with others being Gurdwara Hemkunt Sahib and Gurudwara Reetha Sahib.
Known as the abode of the yogis, this place has many devotees of Guru Gorakhnath and was earlier known as Gorakhmatta. When Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru, visited this place in the 16th century, its name was changed to Nanakmatta. Guru Nanak is said to have meditated here and it believed that he even taught the yogis the true path of meditation.
Guru Nanak was enchanted with the serene surroundings and divinity of the place and is said to have bestowed his blessings on it, which resulted in its growth. Before 1937, the gurudwara was maintained by mahants. A small gurudwara was constructed by the local people. The land for the Gurudwara was donated by Nawab Mehndi Ali Khan. Karsewa began in 1975.
Main Gurudwara
In main Gurudwara Dhoona Sahib and Bhora Sahib are situated which depicts the spirituality of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. After Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Baba Al Mast Ji came here. Baba Al mast (means enthusiast) had been preaching Sikh religion at Nanak Matta. He was expelled from his shrine by the Jogis who had also burnt the sacred pipal tree under which Guru Nanak had held debate with the followers of Gorakh Nath. Enduring all hardships, Baba Al Mast Sahib waited until the Guru Har Gobind Singh Ji came to repair and take possession of Guru Nanak’s temple.
Historical Pipal Tree
Historical Panja Sahib (The historical Pipal tree) is situated in the main Gurudwara Campus between the main Gurudwara and the Gurudwara Sixth Patshahi. Guru Nanak Dev ji reached this place and sat for meditation under a dry pipal tree, which became green due to the holy sangat of Guru Ji. The yogis were surprised to see him there as this place was quite inaccessible, especially during the winters.
The yogis tried to disturb the meditation of Guru Nanak ji by using their occult powers to pull it from the earth and make it fly it in the air. It is believed that when the tree came out of the earth and its roots were sufficiently above the ground, Guru Ji placed his hand (Panja) on the roots of the Pipal tree. The tree stopped uprooting and remained in the current situation. The roots of the pipal tree above the ground can be seen even today.
Gurudwara Bhandara Sahib
Guru Nanak Dev ji came here during his third Udasi or travel in 1514 A.D. At that time the Siddhas (or yogis) who inhabited this place demanded a variety of foods from Guru ji. On the instructions of Guru Sahib, Bhai Mardana climbed up a banyan tree and vigorously shook its branches. To the amazement of the yogis, a variety of foods fell down from the branches of the tree and satisfied the hunger of the yogis and Bhai Mardana.
At the place where this event happened a Gurudwara was constructed thereafter known as Gurudwara Sri Bhandara Sahib Ji. This Gurudwara is nearly 400 Mtrs from the Main Gurudwara in Nanak Matta Sahib.
Doodh Wala Kuan
Gurudwara Doodh Wala Khuan ( Kuan ) Sahib is located near Gurudwara Nanak Matta Sahib. The siddhas who inhabited this place possessed a large number of cows. Bhai Mardana expressed a desire for milk. Guru ji told him to ask the yogis for some milk. The siddhas refused to give him any milk and taunted him by telling him to get milk from his Guru. By virtue of his spiritual powers, Guru Sahib drew all the milk from the cows of the yogis and stored it in a well. It is said that the water of this well tasted like milk. Since that time, this well is called the Doodh Wala Khuh, or the Well of Milk. Along with the historic well, the Gurudwara was constructed thereafter known as Gurudwara Doodh Wala Kuan.
Gurudwara Baba Al Mast Sahib
Gurudwara Baba Al Mast Sahib JI is constructed in the memory of Baba Al Mast Sahib Ji. In the time of the Sixth Guru Sri Hargobind Sahib Ji a Sikh called Al Mast used to serve this shrine under the Pipal tree, sanctified by the Guru’s visit. He was pestered by Gorakh Panthis to vacate the place as they wanted to re-establish their centre there. He had been expelled from his shrine by the Jogis who had also burnt the sacred pipal tree under which Guru Nanak Dev Ji had held debate with the followers of Gorakh Nath.
On account of the troubles of Baba Al Mast Sahib ji the Sixth Guru Sri Hargobind Sahib Ji decided to visit Nanakmatta , taking with him a troop of his armed retainers. The Jogis, in order to terrify him, made a show of their supernatural powers, but could produce no effect on the Guru, and thus retreated. Guru Ji took the possession of this place again and restored it as Sikh shrine. Guru Ji sprinkled saffron on the pipal tree which came back to its full bloom.
The gurudwara building is magnificent and has marble all over. The complex consists of the main hall, the langar hall, the parikarama, the sarai, offices, etc. A second gurudwara, Gurudwara Patshahi Sixth, is also present here. The pipal tree under which Guru Nanak Dev sat can also be seen between the main building and Gurudwara Patshahi Chhevi.
About 140 km from this shrine is another famous spot called Gurudwara Reetha Sahib. When Guru Nanak along with companion Mardana visited this place, he took rest under a Soapnut (Reetha) tree.
Source:
http://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/nanakmatta
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanakmatta
http://tripntravels.com/nanakmatta-sahib/