Gurudwara Mattan Sahib
The Gurudwara Srinagar Mattan Sahib is located in the Anantnag district of Jammu Kashmir. Guru Nanak himself is supposed to have stayed in this Gurudwara for thirteen days. This had happened when he was touring Jammu Kashmir as part of his Udasi for the third time. This is the place where Guruji had his religious discussions with one of the most knowledgeable and famous Kashmiri Pandits - by name Brahma Das.
History
Guru Nanakji had travelled to Anantnag in the second half of the fifteenth century and this was part of the third Udasi when he went to varied places like China, Tibet, and on the way made visits to Mansarovar and Anantnag. This was the place that Guruji stayed for thirteen long days and had done extensive preaching here.
This Gurudwara is located in the Mattan village in Anantnag district. This village forms the north eastern part of the district of Anantnag. The current Gurudwara that is there was built in the early part of the nineteenth century after giving up the earlier and the older Gurudwara. The earlier Gurudwara was built during the time Guru Ji visited Anantnag, and the one that we see today was built much later.
However the most surprising thing about the Gurudwara is the Chinnar tree, which is found inside the Gurudwara even today. The Chinnar tree is found in most parts of Kashmir but the story about the one in the Gurudwara is totally stunning and amazing. Apparently, this story has been in existence right from the days of Guru Nanak. This is one of the major attractions of the Gurudwara for the tourists who come from all over the world to visit this Gurudwara.
The Kashmiri Pandit Brahma Das was a well renowned scholar and he was supposed to be an avid reader. So, he used to carry big books with him wherever he went and so on one day, when Guru Nanak stayed at Anant Nag, the Pandit came to meet him. Guruji greeted him saying, even if you read all the books in the world, or even if the entire lifetime is spent in reading books, there is no point if he does not realise the power of the Almighty.
This was a point of enlightenment in the life of the Pandit, and the minute Brahma Das understood the meaning of this, he fell onto Gurujis feet and spent his entire time until Guruji was there in the religious discussions with him. This was the exact point where the Gurudwara stands today. There are records that Guruji also stayed in the Pandits houses for a few days.
The place of Mattan in Anantnag is a place where there are a large number of ancient temples that are now in ruined state. Thanks to these architectural ruins, there are a lot of tourists who visit this temple and there are a lot of Non Sikhs who come here as well. This Gurudwara stands as a living example to the fact that people do not have to be categorised as belonging to different religion and that is no barrier, but just a means that leads them to a higher purpose.
Other than Sikhs, there are a lot of pilgrims and tourists who come from all parts of the country. Since Brahma Das visited this place and started following the religion of Brahma Das, there are considerable numbers of Kashmiri Pandits who come here on a regular basis, to have darshan at the Gurudwara.
How to Reach
The nearest domestic airport is at Srinagar with good connectivity to major cities within India. The international Airport at New Delhi at a distance of two hundred and sixty kilometres is ideal for international tourists.
Anantnag has a railway head and has trains to a few important places. Since there are not many trains to this rail station, and the connectivity is limited, it is better to reach Jammu which is the nearest railway station and is connected well to most of the major cities of the country.
Anantnag is connected very well to most of the major cities in the country, and since this is also a very important religious spot for the Hindus, this place has good local transport services in the form of taxis and buses.
History
Guru Nanakji had travelled to Anantnag in the second half of the fifteenth century and this was part of the third Udasi when he went to varied places like China, Tibet, and on the way made visits to Mansarovar and Anantnag. This was the place that Guruji stayed for thirteen long days and had done extensive preaching here.
This Gurudwara is located in the Mattan village in Anantnag district. This village forms the north eastern part of the district of Anantnag. The current Gurudwara that is there was built in the early part of the nineteenth century after giving up the earlier and the older Gurudwara. The earlier Gurudwara was built during the time Guru Ji visited Anantnag, and the one that we see today was built much later.
However the most surprising thing about the Gurudwara is the Chinnar tree, which is found inside the Gurudwara even today. The Chinnar tree is found in most parts of Kashmir but the story about the one in the Gurudwara is totally stunning and amazing. Apparently, this story has been in existence right from the days of Guru Nanak. This is one of the major attractions of the Gurudwara for the tourists who come from all over the world to visit this Gurudwara.
The Kashmiri Pandit Brahma Das was a well renowned scholar and he was supposed to be an avid reader. So, he used to carry big books with him wherever he went and so on one day, when Guru Nanak stayed at Anant Nag, the Pandit came to meet him. Guruji greeted him saying, even if you read all the books in the world, or even if the entire lifetime is spent in reading books, there is no point if he does not realise the power of the Almighty.
This was a point of enlightenment in the life of the Pandit, and the minute Brahma Das understood the meaning of this, he fell onto Gurujis feet and spent his entire time until Guruji was there in the religious discussions with him. This was the exact point where the Gurudwara stands today. There are records that Guruji also stayed in the Pandits houses for a few days.
The place of Mattan in Anantnag is a place where there are a large number of ancient temples that are now in ruined state. Thanks to these architectural ruins, there are a lot of tourists who visit this temple and there are a lot of Non Sikhs who come here as well. This Gurudwara stands as a living example to the fact that people do not have to be categorised as belonging to different religion and that is no barrier, but just a means that leads them to a higher purpose.
Other than Sikhs, there are a lot of pilgrims and tourists who come from all parts of the country. Since Brahma Das visited this place and started following the religion of Brahma Das, there are considerable numbers of Kashmiri Pandits who come here on a regular basis, to have darshan at the Gurudwara.
How to Reach
The nearest domestic airport is at Srinagar with good connectivity to major cities within India. The international Airport at New Delhi at a distance of two hundred and sixty kilometres is ideal for international tourists.
Anantnag has a railway head and has trains to a few important places. Since there are not many trains to this rail station, and the connectivity is limited, it is better to reach Jammu which is the nearest railway station and is connected well to most of the major cities of the country.
Anantnag is connected very well to most of the major cities in the country, and since this is also a very important religious spot for the Hindus, this place has good local transport services in the form of taxis and buses.
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