The royal court at Anandpur Sahib was in full splendor. The Kalgidhar Father, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, was seated in majestic grace. His physical age at that time was around 11 years. A large sangat had arrived from Lahore for darshan. Among them was Baba Harjass Ji. They had the blessed darshan of the Guru, listened to katha and kirtan, and when the congregation concluded, Baba Ji, while gazing upon the Guru, began to think in his heart: “How wonderful it would be if my daughter, Rani Jito, could be granted the service of the holy feet of Satguru Kalgidhar Ji…” Then another thought came: “He is the Master of the poor and the ruler of all worlds, the King of kings – and where am I, a sinful, lowly being of this dark age (Kaljug)?” Immediately another comforting thought arose: “But Satguru is also the Protector of the poor, the Support of the meek.” Thinking this, Baba Harjass Ji went to Mata Gujri Ji and to the Guru’s grandmother, Mata Nanaki Ji. He bowed at their feet and received their blessings. With folded hands and bowed head, he gently brought up the proposal of a marriage alliance. Both the revered Mothers became very pleased. After discussing the matter, they said: “Everything seems good, but first take Satguru Ji’s approval.” Mama Kripal Chand Ji was sent along with Baba Ji. He placed the proposal before the Guru and informed Him of the Mothers’ agreement. Guru Sahib granted His consent, and thus the marriage was formally settled. Some time later, Baba Haridas Ji humbly requested: “Maharaj, I have one more request. Please bring a grand wedding procession (barat) to Lahore, so that the sangat there may also be blessed with Your darshan.” Satguru smiled and replied: “The barat will not go to Lahore; instead, Lahore itself will be established here. Your heartfelt wish shall be fulfilled. Go, make preparations and bring your relatives here.” Not far from Anandpur – about 11–12 miles (kos) away – a new settlement was founded, which came to be known as Guru Ka Lahore. The Guru issued a command to the sangat: “All traders, shopkeepers and merchants – come here and conduct your business in this bazaar. Those who have capital may invest it; those who do not, may take from the Guru’s treasury and open their shops.” The bazaar was established, and in this way Guru Ka Lahore came into existence. On the other side, Baba Harjass Ji went home and shared the news with his family and relatives. Everyone was overjoyed. They made preparations and, taking their relatives with them, came to Guru Ka Lahore. Seeing the grandeur and glory of the place, they were both astonished and deeply happy, thinking: “So many blessings, all for us!” They too began to prepare for the upcoming wedding. As the day of the marriage drew near, the barat departed from Anandpur Sahib. Families of Bedi, Tehan, Bhalla, Sodhi, and many others came. The five sons of Mata Viro Ji, Mama Kripal Chand, Bhai Daya Ram, and other relatives joined the procession. On the route, where the barat halted and Guru Sahib’s sehra (bridal head ornament) was tied, a gurdwara was later established – this place is now known as Gurdwara Sehra Sahib. The barat finally reached Guru Ka Lahore. Mama Kripal Chand performed the milni (formal meeting between the two sides). All the traditional wedding rituals were carried out, and the Anand Karaj (Sikh wedding ceremony) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji with Mata Jito Ji took place. The wedding party remained there for two to three days. There are a few sacred sites associated with this wedding: Gurdwara Paudi Sahib – It is said that here Guru Sahib’s horse struck its hoof (paudi/step), and a fresh spring of water gushed forth from the ground. Gurdwara Triveni Sahib – Here, the sangat requested clean water. According to Suraj Prakash, a washerman (dhobi) pleaded: “Maharaj, everything else here is perfectly fine, but for washing clothes there is no pure, clear water. The clothes don’t become truly clean. Please be merciful.” At that time, Guru Sahib was mounted on His horse, holding a broad and heavy spear (barcha) in His hand. Seeing this heavy spear, Bibi Viro Ji’s son, Bhai Sango Ji, began to doubt in his mind: “Guru Ji’s body looks so slender, yet the weapon is so heavy…” The All-knowing (Antarjaami) Guru perceived this thought. While standing in the stirrups on the horse, He forcefully drove the spear into the ground near Bhai Sango Ji and then said: “Come, now you pull it out.” Bhai Sango Ji tried with great effort, but could not draw the spear out. Guru Sahib, still seated on the horse, very easily pulled it out Himself. Bhai Sango Ji realized: “He truly is the Master of both worlds; I should never have doubted.” He bowed his head in shame and reverence. Nearby stood his brother, Bhai Jit Mal, who thought: “If Guru Sahib had told me, I would have pulled it out with both hands!” Once again, the Omniscient Guru struck the spear into the ground and said to Jit Mal: “Here, now you pull it out.” Bhai Jit Mal used both hands and exerted all his strength. The spear loosened a little but still would not come out. Guru Sahib, as before, while sitting on the horse, easily pulled it out again. Bhai Jit Mal, now humbled, also bowed his head. Mama Kripal Chand Ji was standing nearby, witnessing this entire divine play (kautak). He humbly said: “Maharaj, two streams are already flowing now. Please, out of Your grace, strike the spear once more and create a Triveni (confluence of three streams), so that this becomes an eternal sign of Your wedding for ages to come, and the sangat may continue to visit and behold this sacred place.” The Kalgidhar Lord struck the spear a third time, then drew it out, and, laughing, said: “Here, Mama Ji, the Triveni is made.” Three streams of water gushed from the earth and, to this day, they continue to flow unbroken. Thus, this place became Gurdwara Triveni Sahib. Along with it are: Gurdwara Paudi Sahib, and Gurdwara Guru Ka Lahore (where the Anand Karaj took place). According to the customs of that time, the barat stayed for three to four days. Then, after the farewell ceremonies, the doli (bridal departure) moved towards Anandpur Sahib. Mata Gujri Ji said: “First, go to the holy place of Gurudev Father, Dhan Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, bow your head there and offer Ardas (prayer).” After this, Mata Ji brought her new daughter-in-law home. In this way, in the year 1677, the first Anand Karaj of Kalgidhar Father, Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Maharaj Ji, was performed with Mata Jito Ji, from whose blessed womb were born: Baba Jujhar Singh Ji, Baba Zorawar Singh Ji, and Baba Fateh Singh Ji. In celebration of this sacred wedding festival, a grand jod mela (congregational fair) is still held at Gurdwara Guru Ka Lahore every year on Basant Panchami. In some written records, the month of the marriage is given as Haadh (a Punjabi month), but traditionally, this auspicious occasion is commemorated on Basant Panchami itself.
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