GOINDVAL the first ever place of Sikh pilgrimage so designated by its founder, Guru Amar Das. This in fact was the spot where the ancient eastwest highway crossed the River Beas. With the renovation of the highway by Sher Shalh Suri, the Afghan ruler of north India (1540-45), this ferry site became an important transit point. This led one Goinda or Gonda, a Marvaha Khatri trader, to plan establishing an habitation at the western end of the ferry. Thwarted in his endeavour by natural calamities which Goinda attributed to evil spirits, he repaired to Khadur to seek Guru Angad's blessing. The Guru deputed his devoted disciple, (Guru) Amar Das, to help Goinda. Amar Das, who knew that track very well as he had been carrying river water from this place to Khadur daily for his Master's ablutions, laid the foundation of a village which was named after Goinda. After his apointment as Guru in 1552, Guru Amar Das shifted from Khadur to Goindval. In 1552, Guru Amar Das commenced the digging in Goindval of a baoli, i.e. a well with steps descending down to water level which, when completed, attracted pilgrims from far and near. Goindval also became ,in the time of Guru Amar Das, the centre of an annual fair on the occasion of Baisakhi. Even after Guru Amar Das's successor. Guru Ram Das, had built up Amritsar and made it his permanent seat, devotees continued to visit Goindval to have a dip in the sacred baoli and pay homage at other local shrines.
Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa
Founder & Former CEO SikhNet.com - The oldest & largest Sikh web service & organization serving over 7 millions users from around the world
