Guru Teg Bahadur not allowed in Darbar Sahib.
Here is the history behind the new painting by Kanwar Dhillon of Guru Teg Bahadur visiting Darbar Sahib.
Soon after the public announcement by Makhan Shah, the Guru with a party of Sikhs travelled to Amritsar to pay obeisance at the Harmandar Sahib. However on his arrival at this sacred shrine, the Guru was rebuffed by the Sodhi family Sardars who then had control of the Gurdwara and he was not allowed to enter the main section of the complex but went as far as the Thara Sahib - see Structure of Harmandar Sahib.
The party found that the doors of this premier Sikh shrine were suddenly shut and they were refused admittance. The reason for this action was that the greedy "masands" (bishops) of Amritsar had acknowledged Guru Arjan Dev ji's elder brother Prithi Chand to be their guru. It was under the instructions of Harji, the impostor (Mina) guru of that time, that the doors of the Golden Temple were closed to Guru Tegh Bahadur ji.
The Guru waited nearby for a little while. This place is now known as "Thara Sahib" - the Pillar of Patience. But when the doors were not opened, Guru ji went away and stayed in a nearby village of Wala in the humble dwelling of a peasant couple. Later, the women of Amritsar came out and repented for the shameful behaviour of the masands of Amritsar. Highly pleased at the sincere devotion and courage of the women of Amritsar, Guru Tegh Bahadur ji said, "Ever blessed by God be the women of Amritsar."
(history story from sikhiwiki)
Kanwar Singh's painting of Guru Tegh Bahadur the Ninth Master was unveiled at his Solo Exhibition for Sikh Heritage Month Ontario at the Peel Art Gallery, Museum & Archive. For more details of this powerful new artwork, please visit artofpunjab.com.
Related article: Gurudwara Kotha Sahib promoting brotherhood among all near Amritsar
