Gurdwara Baba Atal

Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai
ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਬਾਬਾ ਅਟੱਲ
Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai; ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਬਾਬਾ ਅਟੱਲ
	Baba Atal
General information
Architectural style	Sikh architecture
Town or city	Amritsar
Country	India
Completed	early 17th century (samadhi); early 19th century (nine-story tower)

Gurdwārā Bābā Aṭṭal Rai (Punjabi pronunciation: [ɡʊɾᵊd̪ʊäːɾäː bäːbäː əʈʈəɭᵊ],) is a famous Gurdwara in Amritsar. dedicated to Atal Rai, a son of Guru Hargobind and Mata Nanaki.[1][2] It is just a short walk from the famous Harmandir Sahib.

History

Built some four centuries ago, the Baba Atal Gurdwara is a touching commemoration of the young life of Baba Atal Rai (1619–1628), the son of Guru Hargobind. Its nine stories echo his nine years of life before his death in 1628.[3] According to Sikh legend narrated in the Gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi, Atal Rai revived a friend named Mohan who was bitten by a snake and subsequently died as a result of the injury. Upon hearing the news of the event, his father was displeased as miracles are rebuked by the Sikh gurus. After being admonished by his father for the miracle, Atal Rai retired himself to the bank of Kaulsar and left this mortal coil on 13 September 1628. The tower was built in his memory and to commemorate his short life.[1] Initially a small samadhi (Indic cenotaph) was constructed at the site, which eventually transformed into a gurdwara. It was during the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh that the present-day, nine-story tower was constructed.[4]

Artwork

The tower contains many mural paintings of important figures and events from Sikh history. Especially numerous are artwork relating to the life of Guru Nanak, as relayed in the Janamsakhi literature. According to Satpal Danish, the artwork had originally been commissioned and completed during Sikh-rule. Unfortunately, many of the paintings have been damaged or decayed in the decades since Indian independence due to apathy to them or deliberate defacement. Historical frescoes have been whitewashed or covered by bathroom tiles and plaster during supposed "kar seva" renovations in the structure.[4]

Gallery

Mural fresco depiction of Baba Atal Rai (centre) located in Gurdwara Baba Atal
Guru Hargobind (middle) depicted alongside Ani Rai (left) and Atal Rai (right)
Photograph of Gurdwara Baba Atal and the tank of Kaulsar in Amritsar by Bourne & Shepherd, circa 1863–64
Woodcut of a Sikh family visiting Gurdwara Baba Atal, Amritsar (circa 1870)
Fresco painting of floral motifs
Frescoes depicting events related to the life of Guru Nanak
Frescoes depicting events related to the life of Guru Nanak
Frescoes depicting events related to the life of Guru Nanak
Fresco of Shaheed Singhs from Gurdwara Baba Atal
Fresco of the compilation of the Adi Granth
Ceiling fresco from Gurdwara Baba Atal
Decaying and dilapidated fresco
Decaying and dilapidated fresco
Damaged, dilapidated, and dirtied fresco showing floral motifs
Artwork depicting the tower complex of Gurdwara Baba Atal in Amritsar
Architectural drawing of the tower complex of Gurdwara Baba Atal in Amritsar, ca.1900's
Mural featuring floral motifs from Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai in Amritsar

References

The encyclopaedia of Sikhism. Vol. 1. Harbans Singh. Patiala: Punjabi University. 1992–1998. p. 208. ISBN 0-8364-2883-8. OCLC 29703420.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
Chopra, Rajni Shaleen (18 April 2011). "Walk the extra mile to discover Amritsar's heritage". The Indian Express. Also on the Walk route is 'Baba Atal' which took 113 years to come up. It was built in the memory of Guru Hargobind's son Atal Rai. The historic building still retains some of its original splendour, as does Ramgarhia Bunga (mansion), a three-storeyed marvel of the Sikh school of architecture.
G.S., Randhir (1990). Sikh shrines in India. New Delhi: The Director of Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. pp. 13–14.
Teja, Charanjit Singh (29 March 2021). "Guru's legacy muralled on wall in Gurdwara Baba Attal Rai". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 7 January 2023.

External links

Media related to Gurdwara Baba Atal at Wikimedia Commons

Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai, Amritsar
Gurudwara Baba Atal Archived 24 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine

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[:0-1] The encyclopaedia of Sikhism. Vol. 1. Harbans Singh. Patiala: Punjabi University. 1992–1998. p. 208. ISBN 0-8364-2883-8. OCLC 29703420.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)

[2] Chopra, Rajni Shaleen (18 April 2011). "Walk the extra mile to discover Amritsar's heritage". The Indian Express. Also on the Walk route is 'Baba Atal' which took 113 years to come up. It was built in the memory of Guru Hargobind's son Atal Rai. The historic building still retains some of its original splendour, as does Ramgarhia Bunga (mansion), a three-storeyed marvel of the Sikh school of architecture.

[GS-3] G.S., Randhir (1990). Sikh shrines in India. New Delhi: The Director of Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. pp. 13–14.

[:1-4] Teja, Charanjit Singh (29 March 2021). "Guru's legacy muralled on wall in Gurdwara Baba Attal Rai". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 7 January 2023.