SikhNet Discussion Forum

New Topic Respond Previous Next

Pak MP refuses to part with Sagar Ganga
Posted by Vikramjit Singh Send Email to Author on Tuesday, 3/30/2004 10:56 AM MDT


Add to Interest Profile Edit Interest Profile Send Email to Author Email This Message Search



There was a lot of talk about his earlier commitment, but it seems it does not look like it will be gifted to the Sikhs.

 

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040330/punjab1.htm#10

Pak MP refuses to part with Sagar Ganga
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 29
Rai Aziz Ullah Khan, a member of the National Assembly (MNA) of Pakistan and the ninth direct descendant of the ruler of the erstwhile Raikot Riyasat (Ludhiana), said he and his family won’t part with the priceless Sagar Ganga, a metal pitcher gifted by Guru Gobind Singh.

Talking to the Press after paying obeisance at Golden Temple here today, he said Sagar Ganga was in the locker of a bank in England. He however, said he was ready to bring the relic for display on the occasion of the forthcoming fourth centenary of the martyrdom of two sons of Guru Gobind Singh, which would fall this year. He would bring the relic only if the SGPC and the state government would provide fool proof security for Sagar Ganga and his family members, he added.

 

Pak MP offers to give Guru’s vessel
HT Correspondent
Ludhiana, March 28

Amidst a thaw in bilateral relations and warm contact at the people’s level
between India and Pakistan, an irresistible offer from Pakistan National
Assembly member Rai Aziz Ullah Khan would certainly gladden the hearts of
followers of Sikhism across the world.
He today offered to hand over Ganga Sagar – a metal pitcher gifted to one of his
forefathers by 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh – to the Indian government, provided
arrangements were made to receive and keep it with due respect for the benefit
of the devotees the world over.
Ganga Sagar is a “miracle” pitcher, for though it has holes running along its
diameter and at its base, it still can hold liquids without a single drop
leaking out of it.
“The real significance of Ganga Sagar is not in its holes, nor in miracles
attached to it. It’s what it represents – an appreciation of the fearless love
and devotion shown by my forefathers towards the Guru. It is a symbol of love
which transcends artificial boundaries of religion, race or caste and embraces
the entire humanity,” Khan told mediapersons. He was on a visit to Ludhiana
regarding celebrations organised on the occasion of World Theatre Day.
He revealed that Guru Gobind Singh reached Raikot from Anandpur Sahib in 1705
and was welcomed by his forefather Rai Kalha, Muslim chieftain of the area. “He
kept Guruji as a guest in his house, which was a daring act in those days due to
the tyranny of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, with obvious risk of serious
reprisals,” Khan said.
It was during his stay that the Guru asked a house servant Noora Mahi, who used
to take buffaloes out for grazing, to serve him milk in Ganga Sagar, which was
part of the Guru’s belongings. Noora pointed out that the pitcher would not hold
milk as it had holes in it and buffaloes had already been milked for the day.
But to his surprise, not only did the buffaloes yield milk, it also stayed in
the pitcher, the Pakistan MP disclosed. Later, the Guru presented Ganga Sagar, a
sword and rehal to Rai Kalha.
Till 1947, the vessel was displayed by Khan Bahadur Rai Inayat Khan for the
‘darshan of sangat’, who used to walk barefoot from Gurdwara Tahliana Sahib in
Raikot to the place of display. At present, it is kept in safe custody in
London. “It is a precious possession of our family, which has preserved it for
the last nine generations and almost 300 years. The last four generations of our
family had only one male heir each. We consider it a divine intervention,
perhaps to prevent siblings from fighting over the custody of Ganga Sagar,” Khan
remarked.
He disclosed that scientists from Britain had requested him to hand over Ganga
Sagar to them so that they could find out the scientific reason behind its
ability to retain liquids despite holes. “I allow people to touch and see Ganga
Sagar but only if I feel that they will do so with utter devotion. But handing
it over to scientists is simply out of question as it is a matter of great faith
and pride for us,” Khan concluded.



[Previous Main Document]

Pak MP refuses to part wi... (Vikramjit Singh - 30.Mar.04)
 . . Re: Pak MP refuses to par... (Punjabi G - 30.Mar.04)
 . . . . Re: Pak MP refuses to par... (Sukhi S Aujla - 30.Mar.04)
 . . . . . . Re: Pak MP refuses to par... (Harprit S Sandhu - 31.Mar.04)
 . . . . . . . . Re: Pak MP refuses to par... (Punjabi G - 1.Apr.04)
 . . . . . . . . Re: Pak MP refuses to par... (Jaspal Singh Sindhar - 1.Apr.04)
 . . . . . . . . Re: Pak MP refuses to par... (Prabhu S Khalsa - 1.Apr.04)


[Next Main Document]




by Date (Threaded) Expanded Collapsed by Date (Flat) by Category by Author


History - Donation - Privacy - Help - Registration - Home - Search
Copyright © 1995-2005 www.SikhNet.com All Rights Reserved