Amritsar Sahib is the greatest spiritual center of the Sikh community. It is the city that Guru Sahib established as a model Sikh city. Its original name was “Guru Ka Chak.” To establish it, Sri Guru Ram Das Ji purchased land from the landlords of Sultanwind, Tung, and Gillwali villages for 700 Akbari rupees. At this very place, the foundation of the House of God—Sri Harmandir Sahib—was laid by the Sufi saint Hazrat Sai Mian Mir Ji on 13 April 1589. He had immense respect for Guru Arjan Dev Ji, and due to deep spiritual affinity, both were very close and shared a profound bond. According to the present custodians of Mian Mir Ji’s lineage, this friendship began during the time of the Fourth Guru, Sri Guru Ram Das Ji. When Mian Mir Ji settled near the Anarkali area of Lahore, he would often visit Guru Ram Das Ji at Chuna Mandi to exchange spiritual insights. Guru Ram Das Ji always wished to build a temple open to all, without discrimination, and wanted its foundation to be laid by a pious saint of high spiritual stature. Therefore, when Guru Arjan Dev Ji began the construction of Harmandir Sahib in 1589, he specifically chose Hazrat Mian Mir Ji to lay its foundation. A group of 101 Sikhs was sent with great love and respect to Lahore to escort Mian Mir Ji to Amritsar. They carried him in a palanquin on their shoulders all the way from Lahore. Seeing this respectful service, Guru Sahib was very pleased. The foundation ceremony was conducted with utmost honor and devotion, symbolizing a rare union of two faiths and an extraordinary spirit of harmony and brotherhood. Then came the tragic day when Guru Arjan Dev Ji, due to religious intolerance, had to endure torture on the burning hot iron plates. Witnessing this cruelty shook Mian Mir Ji to the core. He even offered to destroy Lahore and Delhi brick by brick in protest, but Guru Sahib urged him to remain calm, explaining that he joyfully accepted the Divine Will. Though Mian Mir Ji witnessed the martyrdom of his dear friend and a radiant soul, the foundation of love and mutual respect laid during the Harmandir Sahib’s construction continued to grow stronger. After Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s martyrdom, when the Sixth Guru—Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji—ascended the throne with the two swords of Miri and Piri, Mian Mir Ji sent his respect to him. Later, when Guru Sahib visited Lahore, Mian Mir Ji personally stepped forward, helped the young Guru (aged about 12–13) dismount his horse, placed the Guru’s blessed feet on his own palms, and only then allowed the feet to touch the ground. This act deepened the bond between the two traditions. This love reached its peak when Mian Mir Ji personally intervened at Emperor Jahangir’s court to secure the release of Guru Hargobind Sahib from Gwalior Fort, boldly reprimanding the emperor, causing him immense embarrassment. Guru Sahib was released with honor and also freed 52 imprisoned kings. Upon reaching Amritsar, Harmandir Sahib was illuminated with lamps on the joyous occasion now known as Bandi Chhor Divas. This further strengthened the foundation of love and unity. Today, on 13 January, let us all pray that this sacred Harmandir—symbol of the spiritual closeness between Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Hazrat Mian Mir Ji—continues to uplift humanity with joy, peace, and spiritual enlightenment. May every vibration from here strengthen the universal message of Sarbat da Bhala (well-being of all). May the Sikh–Muslim bonds of Nankana Sahib and Lahore grow ever stronger. Today, a group of devotees will visit the shrine of Hazrat Mian Mir Ji in Lahore to offer prayers for global peace and brotherhood. How can we abandon such a divine door from which blessings so great flow?
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