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Gurdwara Karamsar, Rara Sahib is an outcome of the charismatic sojourn of two
noble spirits Sant Isher Singh Ji and Sant Kishan
Singh Ji.. On the request of Sardar Gian Singh Rarewala, they had stayed in the village
Rara Sahib (the village that was transformed from Rara to Rara Sahib by the visit of His
Holy-Majesty Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji) and had made this desolate place their abode.
The witness of Sant Isher Singh Ji's nine-year meditation and penance is the well, which
is still intact. This memorial of Sant's devotion is located half a kilometre to the east of
the Gurdwara.
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Sri Darbar Sahib (The Sanctum Sanctorium) |
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As the Sant's popularity spread, people started visiting the place from far and wide. With the
efforts of the devotees the Sanctum Sanctorum (Sri Darbar Sahib) was built on the bank of the
Srihind Canal In 1936. The place was named 'Gurdwara Karamsar' after Sant Karam Singh Ji
of 'Hoti Mardan'. The holy hymns were chanted every morning and evening. The community
meals (the Langar) were served. The enthusiasm of the devotees soared.
Consequently, the month-day (Sangrand) and the 'full-moon day' (Pooran-mashi) began to be
celebrated with full religious fervor. By and by the hillocks were levelled and many villages
donated land to the Gurdwara.
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The Privy Chamber (Bhora Sahib) |
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In 1940, Sardar Mohan Singh of Coca Cola fame, arranged for a monumental enclosure to be built for
Sant Isher Singh Ji's meditation in seclusion. Thereafter the Sant made it
his abode. At present the place
seclusion is revered and preserved as the Sant's memory. It houses his relics. The devotees
flock to this place throughout the year to have a glimpse of the Sant's relics.
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| The Congregation Hall (Divan Hall) |
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The compound of the Darbar Sahib was expanded in 1968. In 1980 Sant Kishan
Singh Ji initiated the construction of the magnificent congregation hall in front of the
Darbar Sahib. This unique hall measuring 235 × 135 feet was ready by 1983. This magnificent
and elegant hall speaks volumes.
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The Entrance (Darshani Deodi) - Clock Tower |
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One enters the Gurdwara through the base of a lofty clock tower crowned with a dome. The
loftiness of this 105 feet tall tower beckons and welcomes the devotees to the house of Guru
Nanak for community meals and shelters without distinction of any kind.
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The Holy Tank (Karamsar Sarovar) |
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Hygiene is the hallmark of Sikhism whether personal or of surroundings. For the hygiene and
the 'holy dip', a holy tank has been built in front of the diwan hall. It measures 83 × 62 feet
and is surrounded on all sides by a 14 feet verandah (prikarma). Every fortnight, the water is
drained to clean the tank. Moreover a continuous flow of water into and out of the tank is
maintained simultaneously. The drained water is used to irrigate the farm managed by the
Gurdwara.
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The Community Mess (Langar Hall) |
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In front of the diwan hall is the spacious building of the community mess where community meals
are served continously.
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Another attraction for the devotees is the Gallery of the diwan hall, that houses the museum.
In the gallery pictures of the Saints are displayed and the paintings
of the scenes from the Sikh history. Near the main-gate of the diwan hall is the library that
houses a collection of books on Sikhism, pictures of the saints and audio-video cassettes of
their sermons.
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The Gurdwara complex has about 250 living rooms wherein about three hundred attendants are
accommodated permanently. There is also a special arrangement for accommodation to the homeless
and helpless old people. The Gurdwara trust manages a sixty acres farm. Beside it manages a
dairy farm with 150 cows and buffaloes.
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Religious Assemblies and Congregations |
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The devotees here celebrate the monthly and annual religious festivals with full religious
fervor. The birthdays of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji are celebrated with
enthusiasm. The death anniversaries of Sant Isher Singh Ji and
Sant Kishan Singh Ji are observed
on 26th August and 1st January, respectively. Since 1928 the death anniversary of Sant Attar
Singh Ji of Reru Sahib is observed on 9th of Magh month of the Indian calendar, every year.
Monthly congregations are called on the eves of full moon day (Pooran-Mashi) and the 1st day of
every month of Indian calendar (Sangrand). On all, important annual gatherings and every
Sangrand the devotees are baptized by bestowing them with 'Amrit'.
Besides, Sant Isher Singh Ji's mission is being carried on, by holding
religious congregations
annually in villages and cities. These congregations are addressed, within the country and
abroad, by Bhai Baljinder Singh ji, with the kind condescension of the present patron
Sant Teja Singh Ji Maharaj.
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