Gurdwara Sri Kiara Sahib
Gurdwara Sri Kiara Sahib in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan, commemorates a miraculous event from Guru Nanak's youth, where the young Guru’s spiritual focus and gentle presence brought peace to an unsettled situation. This serene gurdwara offers visitors a glimpse into the profound early life of Guru Nanak.
Gurdwara Sri Kiara Sahib: Celebrating the Miraculous Youth of Guru Nanak
Nestled just a short distance from Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan, Gurdwara Sri Kiara Sahib marks a charming and miraculous event from the early life of Guru Nanak, the revered founder of Sikhism. According to Sikh tradition and the Janam Sakhis, this gurdwara sits on land where young Guru Nanak once grazed cattle, an episode that would display his deep compassion and spiritual power.
As the story goes, Guru Nanak, still a young boy, was sent to care for the cattle. Deeply immersed in spiritual thought, he rested under a tree, unaware that the cattle had wandered into a farmer’s fields, causing the crops to trample. Distressed by the apparent destruction, the farmer hurried to Rai Bular, the village chief, to report the incident. Rai Bular, along with the farmer, rushed to the field to see the damage for himself. But upon arrival, they were astonished to find that, despite the cows’ passage, the crops were untouched, as if blessed by a miracle.
Moved by the sight, both Hindus and Muslims began to hold Guru Nanak in deep reverence, recognizing in him a figure of divine light. Gurdwara Sri Kiara Sahib now stands on this land, where the miracle is believed to have occurred. The gurdwara structure is large and enclosed by a boundary wall, with a serene yet dry sarovar (sacred tank) within its grounds.
Historically, the management of Gurdwara Sri Kiara Sahib was in the hands of local Sikh caretakers until February 1921, when it came under the Panth’s administration. Following the partition of 1947, the Pakistan Waqf Board took responsibility for its upkeep. Although the gurdwara has seen significant historical shifts, the spirit of devotion and remembrance remains alive, with the site continuing to symbolize Guru Nanak’s gentle power and the unity he inspired across communities.
Gurdwara Sri Kiara Sahib thus serves not only as a historic gurdwara but as a reminder of the young Guru Nanak’s boundless compassion and the subtle miracles of his early life.
