Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji and Smallpox

At that time, the epidemic, smallpox spread out in Delhi. It caused manu deaths. Guru Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji dig the lake at Bangla Sahib containing God's nectar, 'Amrit' which provided a cure for thousands. Guru Ji attended the sufferers irrespective of cast and creed, and was known as 'Bala Pir' (child prophet) and took over the disease upon his own body to ward off the epidemic. The swear attack of smallpox confined him to bed for several days. Guru Harkrishan Sahib ji called his mother and told her that his end was near. When asked to name his successor, he merely exclaimed 'Baba Bakala', thereby referring to Guru Tegh Bahadur, who had settled there at village Bakala near river Beas in Punjab.

Thus the 'Bala Pir' passed away on Chet Sudi 14,(3rd Vaisakh), Bikrami Samvat 1721, (30th March, 1664) slowly reciting the word "Waheguru". Guru Gobind Singh Sahib paying tribute to Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji stated in "Var Sri Bhagoti Ji Ki"... "Let us think of the holy Harkrishan, Whose sight dispels all sorrows..."

"Sri Har Krishan ji dhiayee… Jis dhithe sab dukh jaye."




Gurdwara Bangla Sahib was constructed in Guruji's memory. This is where he stayed during his visit to Delhi. This was originally the palace of Raja Jai Singh, who was a strong Sikh and a devotee of the Guru.