Gurudwara BHAI LALO DA GHAR – History of Sikh Religion

Not far from Gurdwara Chakki Sahib lies the home of Baba Guru Nanak’s devoted follower, Bhai Lalo, which is now known as “Gurudwara Bhai Lalo Da Ghr.”

A Historic Place of Sikh Religion

The history of “Gurudwara Bhai Lalo Da Ghr” dates back centuries. Whenever Baba Guru Nanak visited Eminabad, he would always stop by Lalo Bhai’s home. Bhai Lalo, a carpenter by profession, earned his livelihood through honest hard work.

The Story of Simplicity and Spirituality

A significant event in Sikh history is associated with this site. Once, during his visit to Lalo Bhai’s home, Baba Guru Nanak mentioned that he was hungry and asked if there was anything to eat.

Lalo Bhai’s household informed him that they only had a dry millet bread (bajra roti) available. Baba Guru Nanak requested that it be brought to him.

On the same day, a wealthy landlord of the village, Malik Bhago, was hosting a grand feast and had invited Baba Guru Nanak to join. However, Baba Guru Nanak declined his invitation and chose instead to eat at Lalo Bhai’s humble home.

When Malik Bhago learned of this, he became furious. In his arrogance, he brought the elaborate dishes from his feast to Lalo Bhai’s house, accompanied by a group of villagers. Malik Bhago, with pride, declared that a poor man like Lalo Bhai was insignificant in comparison to him.

A Divine Lesson

According to Sikh religion history, Baba Guru Nanak held Lalo Bhai’s simple millet bread in one hand and the rich food from Malik Bhago’s feast in the other. Those present witnessed a miracle—milk began to flow from Lalo Bhai’s dry millet bread, while blood oozed from the ghee-rich bread prepared at Malik Bhago’s feast.

This profound moment symbolized the purity of honest labor and the tainted nature of wealth gained through exploitation.

Preservation and Pilgrimage

The exact spot where Baba Guru Nanak ate the millet bread has been preserved by the Punjab Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department. According to the department, over 50,000 Sikh pilgrims visit Pakistan annually to celebrate Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary, and many make it a point to visit this sacred site.

Challenges for Pilgrims

Despite its significance, there are no accommodations for international Sikh pilgrims in the area. As a result, most pilgrims stay in Lahore, from where they visit Gurdwara Rori Sahib, Kartarpur, and Nankana Sahib.

Eminabad is approximately 50 kilometers from Lahore, and Sikh pilgrims can reach it in about an hour’s drive, making it a key part of their spiritual journey.