"Ayodhya means it cannot be conquered by enemy, living proof of unbreakable ties between Hindus and Sikhs": Hardeep Singh Puri

New Delhi [India], March 4 (ANI): Noting that Ayodhya is a living proof of the strong unbreakable ties between Hindus and Sikhs, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said the revered land has been visited by the Sikh Gurus and Shri Guru Gobind Singhji, on whose instructions a Nihang army fought with the Mughals to protect the birthplace of Shri Ram, must also be feeling happy after seeing the temple of Lord Shri Ram Lala Sarkar.

Puri, who made a series of posts on X in Hindi following his visit to Gurdwara Brahmkund Sahib by the serene Saryu River in Brahmakund, Ayodhya, highlighted its historic significance. 

“Ayodhya means the one which cannot be conquered by the enemy. Today in the same Ayodhya, I will tell you about a historical incident of the contribution of Sikhs in the struggle journey of Lord Shri Ram's birthplace, which perhaps remained untold till now. The weapons and other evidence kept in the Gurudwara are still narrating the valour of the Nihang army. During my holy visit to Ayodhya, I had the good fortune of visiting Gurdwara Brahmakund Sahib. This is the land which is sanctified by the dust of the feet of Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Sahib, the ninth Guru Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji and Dasmesh Pita Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj,” he said. 

“When religion was in danger in Ayodhya, on the instructions of Sahib-e-Kamal Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Nihang army fought with the Mughals and defeated them to protect the birthplace of Shri Ram. Guru Ji's teachings and ideals for the protection of religion and humanity are a source of inspiration for all of us. He must also be feeling happy after seeing the temple of Lord Shri Ram Lala Sarkar… The contribution of Pujya Guru Ji in the struggle and wait for Shri Ram Mandir can be experienced by coming here. I was overwhelmed by coming here. Wahe Guru Ji Da Khalsa Wahe Guru Ji the victory!” he added.

Puri, who is Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, also highlighted the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in untying the tangled knot of history. 

“Due to the efforts of @narendramodi,  the tangled knot of history got unraveled and the country got the legacy of centuries-old patience. After countless sacrifices, renunciation and austerity, the country got a 'Rashtra Mandir' in the form of Lord Shri Ram's temple. We are fortunate to have witnessed this,” he said.

The Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram Lalla idol in the grand temple in Ayodhya was done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January last year.

Puri said court in its verdict had also referred to history and Guru Nanak Dev’s visit to Ayodhya.  

“Ayodhya is a living proof of the strong unbreakable ties between Hindus and Sikhs. The evidence is present. The first available evidence in the history of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi struggle is of the worship of Nihang Sikh Fakir Khalsa. As the basis of the decision, the Honourable Supreme Court has also confirmed its authenticity,” he said.

“During the Udasi of Jagannath Puri from Haridwar, in the year 1557 Vikrami, the first Guru Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Sahib held a discourse with the heads of the Pandit community and gave true teachings while sitting under a Bael tree on the banks of the Saryu (Brahmakund) ghat. That divine “bel” tree makes us feel his true teachings even today. It shows us the right path,” he added.

Puri said the well in the courtyard of Gurudwara is known as “dukh bhanjani kuan” and referred to Guru Nanak Dev's visit to the temple town in 1508.

“Sri Guru Nanak Koop situated in the courtyard of this holy gurudwara is known as 'Dukh Bhanjani Kuan'. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj took bath in the water of this holy well on the banks of Saryu (West) in Ayodhya during his first Udasi journey to the east in 1508. After this, he sprinkled water on the devotees and removed their sorrows and pains. By taking bath in this water, wishes are fulfilled,” he said.

He said the holy Gurudwara is a sacred center to enrich the faith of the devotees as well as the consciousness of India.

“Here I had an unprecedented experience. My heart was filled with unique joy. The sound of Shabad and the aura of Saryu ji would make one dive into the ocean of devotion. Every Sangat should visit here once," he said. 

The Union Minister said he felt a deep sense of gratitude on getting the opportunity to touch “charan paduka” of Guru Teg Bahadur. “The mind felt a deep peace and unprecedented power. The place has a lot of spiritual energy,” he said

Puri visited the historic Gurdwara on Monday. He offered prayers and reflected on the deep-rooted ties between Sanatan Dharma and Sikhism.

"I had the good fortune to pay obeisance and seek blessings at the historic Gurdwara Sahibs by the serene Saryu river in Brahmakund, Ayodhyadham," he posted on X.

Emphasizing the spiritual significance of Ayodhya, he wrote, "Ayodhyadham, the sacred meeting ground of Sanatan Dharma and Sikhism. The holy land blessed by Prabhu Shri Ram and three Sikh Guru Sahibs - the holy Udaasi of the founder of Sikh faith Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj in 1510-11 AD, 9th Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in 1668 and our Dasham Pita Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1672."

He also quoted the philosophy on which Khalsa Panth was founded in hindi.

Speaking about the confluence of faiths and historical unity, he said, "The Gurdwara Sahibs in the holy dham reflect the confluence of faiths, the strong ties between Sikhism and Hinduism dating back to medieval times and how the two have stood by each other to battle the invaders."

In his post, he further recalled an important historical event: "In 1697, when the invading Mughal army under Aurangazeb attacked the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji sent a battalion of 400 Nihang Sikhs to fight shoulder to shoulder with the Aghoris in a fierce battle."

Highlighting the significance of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's visit to Ayodhya, he noted, "Such was the importance of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Udaasi, that during the long legal battle which ultimately led to the construction of the grand Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, one of the judges said that 'The visit of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 1510-11 A.D. to have darshan of Lord Ram's birthplace does support the faith and belief of the Hindus.'" (ANI)