Chapter 3

Performing the Ceremonial Rites of the Guru's Head in Anandpur

In the radiant city of Anandpur Sahib, a spirited discourse unfurls about the sacred spot for the last rites of the revered Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Traditionalists argue for Kiratpur, the ancestral home of the Sodhis. However, the Guru's devoted wife, Mata Gujri Ji, gently sways the argument in favour of Anandpur, the tranquil haven nurtured by the Guru's hands, which was aptly christened the 'Village of Bliss'. Her resolution establishes Anandpur Sahib as the sacred site for the Guru's last rites.

Thus, under the cerulean sky, begins the pilgrimage to Anandpur. The thronging assembly weaves through verdant landscapes, their hearts throbbing with anticipation and sorrow. The air in Anandpur vibrates with a melody of melancholy and reverence, as the congregation witnesses the serene visage of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji for the last time.

As dusk descends, the air throbs with the resonating strains of Kirtan, a heart-stirring lament in memory of the fallen Guru. The mystical tunes seem to dance on the night wind, enthralling the listeners. Suddenly, the crowd hushes as Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, requests the man who had brought his father's severed head from Delhi to narrate his daring tale.

In the flickering firelight, the brave Sikh recounts his audacious escape from the Mughal army, his cunning ploys, and miraculous divine interventions. Each detail of his tale, each brush with danger, holds the congregation spellbound, awed by his bravery and the divine protection of the Guru. This tale of courage, faith, and divine intervention imbues them with a renewed sense of devotion, fervour, and an insatiable desire to learn more about the profound saga of their revered Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.