Gurdwara Nabha Sahib is a significant landmark in Sikh history, located approximately 15 kilometers from the Zirakpur Highway on the road from Chandigarh to Patiala. This sacred site is deeply connected to the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. After Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s sacrifice in Delhi, Bhai Jaita Ji (later Bhai Jeevan Singh) carried Guru Ji’s severed head to Anandpur Sahib for the final rites. On the way, Bhai Jaita Ji stopped at this location, where a devout Muslim saint, Fakir Dargahi Shah, a follower of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, urged him to rest.
Upon hearing about this event, the local community gathered to pay their respects to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Fakir Dargahi Shah, who was elderly and unable to travel to Anandpur Sahib, sent a message through Bhai Jaita Ji to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, requesting a meeting. After the Battle of Bhangani with the Mughals, Guru Gobind Singh Ji visited Nabha Sahib in 1698. He first paid homage to his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, and then met Fakir Dargahi Shah. Shortly after this meeting, Fakir Dargahi Shah passed away, and his samadhi (memorial) was built near the Gurdwara. Sikh devotees also pay their respects at his samadhi, honoring his spiritual connection with Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
In 1609, before launching his attack on Sarhind, Banda Singh Bahadur stopped here to pay tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Fakir Dargahi Shah. Every year, on September 21 and 22, a large fair called the Jor Mela is held at Gurdwara Nabha Sahib. This fair commemorates the legacy of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Fakir Dargahi Shah, and Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, celebrating their sacrifices and spiritual contributions. The Gurdwara stands as a testament to the unity and shared reverence between Sikhs and Muslims during a pivotal time in history.
