In 1922 workmen digging in a hill called The Mound of the Dead on the Indus River in Pakistan uncovered the remains of a remarkable city proved to be over 5,000 years old. This was a well-built city constructed by a highly civilized people not known to history until this amazing discovery.

    After digging further, it was discovered that the people of Mohenjo-Daro (the name of the mound where the city was found) had a written language. In itself, this was shocking. The Egyptians along the Nile and the Summerians of Mesopotamia (Iraq) were believed to have started writing. It seemed now that a very different type of writing developed at the same time as the other two forms. Even though the Summerian wedge shaped writing and Egyptian picture writing have been translated, the Mohenjo-Daro writing remains a mystery.




The Mohenjo-Daro findings encouraged a search for other "lost" cities. Many were found. They were spread out over a thousand miles, which proved that the unknown people's empire was very large. Around 1,500 B. C., Mohenjo-Daro came to its peak of glory, but was destroyed by fire and war about 1,500 B. C. The corruption came about when a mysterious race of people invaded India. The only thing known about these people is that they had light skins, came from central Asia, and spoke a language known today as Indo-European or Indo-Aryan. Their language is the root of the Hindu language in India and also the root of several European languages.
    Why did these people leave their home and spread over Europe? No one knows. One branch moved into Iran and became ancestors of the Persians and in 1,500 B. C.  another came through Afghanistan and then into the north of present day Pakistan. Historians believe that these people ruined Mohenjo-Daro and the survivors fled south to be the dark-skinned Dravidian Indians of today.

    The invaders settled along the Indus River and called themselves Aryas, which means nobles. Close Persians called them, however, Hindhus, meaning people of the Indus. We got our word "India" from the Greeks who later invaded this land. They left out the hard "h" sound and in their tongue in was "Indic".

    In time, the Aryas settled twelve small kingdoms along the Ganges River plain in northern India. The Aryas were ancestors of the present day Hindus.


Most Hindus believe that when you die your spirit is reborn into another body, either an animal or human being. What  you are reborn  into depends on the record of your actions in your previous life. This record is called karma. If you live a good life you will have a better rebirth.
    Hinduism is a religion full of life color and emotion.  Death is but a turning of the endless wheel of life. The biggest event in life for Hindus is when a Hindu is about to die he/she has many thoughts. The first thought is to travel, if possible, to the holy city of Benares. They believe that if they bathe in the sacred river of Ganges they will be freed of their sins. Whenever a person has died, his friends and family burn him and if their is a river near by they dump his ashes in the river. The body of the holiest man of all men need not be burned. Instead of burning him they dump him in the water with rocks around him. Then his friends and family sing hyms and blow on shells made into instruments.



A lot of Hindus believe in a supreme soul or spirit without a shape or form, like an imaginary god. There are three main Gods in the Hindu religion: Braham (the creator), Vishnu (the perservor or the protector) and Shiva (the destroyer). Hindus may worship one God, many Gods or none at all. In addition to the three main Gods, Hindus worship a lot of other Gods and Godesses. Most Hindus think that it is easier to pray up to a statue or a handmade God. Some families worship their own Gods that  have worshiped for generations.



Thousands of years ago, before Christ, Buddha, or Moses had lived, sages stood on India's river banks and sang. Hindus say their songs were inspired "by the breath of God".

    Out of these chants, there were more than 15,000 stanzas in the earliest collection, known as the Rig Veda. Out of the wisdom and the spirituality of sages since, has grown the religion known as Hinduism. More than 300 million people practice this religion in India, and of about 15 million more elsewhere. It has influenced thoughtful men of many lands through the centuries, yet Hinduism has remained very much a puzzle to the West.

    Its contradictions make it pretty puzzling. Its one God, Brahman, is the eternal spirit, but it also has 330 million gods so that every family can have a favorite to honor at its household shrine. Some Hindus, however, look upon all these as separate gods, but both modern philosophers and ancient Hindu sages say they are only the infinite aspects of the one Brahman.

    The ancient Hindu sages had pondered the fact that all things disappear and were shocked by the eternal recurrence of life like the caterpillar. From caterpillar to butterfly, from butterfly to death, and after death more caterpillars. The sages agreed that every individual little bit of life must be born over and over again, even a human soul or self. Hindus believe that one begins at a low form of life and after every death is borne again into another life. Depending on behavior, one may be borne into a higher life form or a lower life form.

    Hinduism's sublime objective is to leave the harsh, material world and be united with God. This goal is reached through prayers, ritual, and the ideals of Hindu living: self-control, detachment, purity, truth, charity, nonviolence and the deepest compassion toward all creatures.

    Waiting at the end of this path is the universal God, Brahman of whom the old scriptures (the Upanishads) say: "Thou art woman. Thou art man. Thou art the dark-blue bee and the green [parrot] with red eyes. Thou hast the lightning as a child. Thou art the seasons and the seas. Thou dost abide with all-pervadingness, Where from all things are "born."




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The city is a consumer goods emporium. Punjabi Jutti (shoes), golden and silver shoes embroidered in several patterns and colours to match dresses. It is also famous for its silver and gold embroidered "naala" (pyjama strings), parandhas (women weave them at the end of their plaits or braids) of varied shapes and designs but uniformly beautiful hand-woven head coverings, Phulkaris which can only be described as embroidered epics. Colorful Parandas, Nalas, Chunnies and Patiala Juttis embroidered in Gold Thread and Phulkari motifs are unique handicrafts of Patiala.

Patiala has a culture of its own, evolving into a distinct "patialavi" culture. Patiala has also seen evolution of a distinct style of architecture. Borrowing from the Rajput style, its beauty and elegance are, however, moulded according to the local traditions.

The fourth Maharaja Narinder Singh was a great patron of art, architecture and music. It was during his time that Moti Bagh Palace, Sheesh Mahal, Banasur Bagh were designed followed by Baradari Palace. Maharaja also encouraged classical music. Keeping the tradition alive his successors continued to patronise the music resulting the rich creation of Patiala Gharana; on which still thrives the whole of Pakistani Classical Music.

Hindu festivals and celebrations such as Dasara and Diwali are as enthusiastically observed as are the birth and death anniversaries of the gurus and saints. To Sikh community the festival of Baisakhi, celebrated in month of April, is of special significance because on this day in 1689 Guru Govind Singh organised the Sikhs into khalsa or `pure one'. In the countryside farmers start harvesting with great jubilation. The bhangra dance is common sight in the villages. Punjabi is the main language, while Hindi and English are also commonly used.

The Patiala Heritage Festival started in the year 2003 under the aegis of the Patiala Heritage Society is an annual feature ornamenting the fair face of the city of Patiala. Held in the gentle climes of the month of February, every year. The Patiala Heritage Festival is an offering sublime not just for the music and art lovers of Patiala but also for those of the entire state of Punjab and region put together. Conceived and planned as a cultural event showcasing the various aspects of art, music and sporting culture of the erstwhile Royal state of Patiala with a view to injecting a fresh lease of life into them, the Festival is literally an art and cultural extravaganza.

Patiala is a city in the Punjab state of India. Patiala district is one of the famous princely cities of erstwhile Punjab. It presents a beautiful banquet of the life style even to a casual visitor to the city. It is the 'City of palaces and museums' is a brilliant spectrum of Rajpoot, Mughal and Punjabi cultures.

It is the administrative headquarters of Patiala District, and was the capital of the premier princely state in the former Punjab Province of British India, headed by the Sidhu dynasty. Patiala is famous for its peg (a reference to Patiala Peg - an unusually large peg of whiskey), pagri (traditional headgear), paranda (tasselled tag for braiding hair) and Jutti (traditional Punjabi footwear).

An erstwhile princely state and capital of PEPSU, it is one of the district head quarters of Punjab. Patiala is home town of many eminent personalities like cricketers Navjot Sidhu, Mohinder Amarnath, Reetinder Sodhi, Bollywood Stars Jimmy Shregill, Om Puri, Punjabi Singers Gurdas Mann & Harbhajan Mann, Jet Airways Chairman Naresh Goyal & above all Sq Ldr Rakesh Sharma, first and only Indian till date in space and so on.

Patiala is a centre of education. The city is a consumer goods emporium. Punjabi Jutti (shoes), golden and silver shoes embroidered in several patterns and colours to match dresses. It is also famous for its silver and gold embroidered "naala" (pyjama strings), parandhas (women weave them at the end of their plaits or braids) of varied shapes and designs but uniformly beautiful hand-woven head coverings, Phulkaris which can only be described as embroidered epics.

Geographical Location
It is situated in one of the geographically well defined regions of Punjab known as the Malwa. Malwa comprises the area between the Sutlej and the Ghaggar and is surrounded by Himachal Pradesh in the north-west. Patiala is located at 30.33° N 76.4° E. It has an average elevation of 250 metres (820 feet). Patiala is 26 km to the south-west of Rajpura (located on National Highway 1). Daily bus service is available to Delhi and other major towns in Punjab and other neighbouring states. By Railway network, Patiala is on the branch line to Bhatinda and Firozpur. A route west from Patiala goes through a series of small market towns to Bhatinda.

The district of Hoshiarpur abounds in a large number of temples, located at the Shivalik hills, in commemoration of goddess (devis). Besides, there are a number of places of historical and religious importance in the district, which are described below:

Sheesh Mahal
Situated in the heart of the city, Sheesh Mahal is a source of attraction for the visitors. It is known as Sheesh Mahal since its interior walls and roofs are well decorated with glasswork. Late LalaHans Raj Jain was constructed it in 1911. On the first floor, it depicts the coronation ceremony of George V and on the ground floor; there are statuses of religious deities. It contains life-size status of George V, Queen Victoria, courtiers and visitors.

The entire work is based on the imagination of an artist, Jan Mohammad, who was present at the time of the coronation ceremony at Delhi. The local Jain Sabha looks it after.

Dera of Baba Charan Shah
The dera of baba Charan Shah in the Bahadurpur locality is an important religious place in the town. It was founded about three centuries back and up to now there have been 12 Gurus. The 12th and the present Guru sites on the gaddi on every Baisakhi Day. Sadhus are allowed to stav in the dera as long as they like. About 300 acres of agricultural land is attached to the dera.

Bajwara
Bajwara a suburb of Hoshiarpur is situated at a distance of about 3 km to the southeast of Hoshiarpur. It is located on Una-Nangal Road and is also connected with Hoshiarpur-Garhshankar Road through an approach road.

Bajwara was once thriving habitation. It occupied a very much more extended area than it does now, and tradition says that it was about 27 km in circumference. It was well known for its cloth weavers and pious Brahmins. Bajwara is said to have been founded by three immigrants from Ghazni, one of who, Baju Baora, renowned as a Singer, gave him name to the town. It is mentioned in the Ain-I-Akbari as a mahal out of 36 mahals belonging to the Hoshiarpur District. Todar Mal, Akbar's Revenue Minister, is said to have broken up the town into small divisions as a punishment to the inhabitants for not showing him due to respect.

Bajwara was well known during the Afghan period. It was the base of the Afghan against the hill chiefs. Around the town, there are many 'bassis', the headquarters of the Petty Pathan leaders, who assisted the Afghan at Bajwara against the hill chiefs.

In later times, Sardar Bhup Singh Faizullapuria, who was ousted in 1801 by Raja Sansar Chand, held Bajwara. The latter built a fort here, which was taken by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1825. Since then the town has declined and its debris has been used for road construction. The fort was utilized as a military Prison in the earlier year of the British rule but was afterwards dismantled. At present, only two of its ruined bastions are to be seen.

A fair held here once a year, at Sain Sahib temple, also known as Sarwang Sahib Temple, on Basant day. Fairs are also held at Ravidas temple in the month of January and at the Sadhu Ashram in the month of April.

Bham
Situated at a distance of 13 km from Chabewal, which falls on Hoshiarpur -Garhshankar Road, Bham is connected by a link road. Bham is said to be the place where the Pandavas passed their exile, a fact commemorated by a temple (shiwala) known as "Shivan da Mandir". The temple is unique in construction and one has to step downstairs to pay homage to the deity. A fair is held here annually on Shivaratri Day. There is another imposing temple known as Sri Durga Mandir which has been got constructed by a living devi (goddess) who resides there. The devi is held in high esteem by the people. A fair lasting for four days is also held here annually during July-August (Sawan 15-18), when a large number of people from far and near visit the place.

Dasuya
Headquarters of the tahsil/subdivision of the same name, Dasuya falls on the Jullundur-Mukerian-Pathankot-Jammu Tawi line of the Northern Railway. By road, it is linked with Tanda Urmar (15 km). Mukerian (16 km). Talwara (43 km). Hoshiarpur (41 km), Jullundhaur (56 km) and Pathankot (56 km).

Dasuya is said to be very old places. Tradition says that this place was the capital of Raja Virata mentioned in the Mahabharata. In older times, Dasuya was known as "Virat Ki Nagri". The uneven streets and locations of a part of the town on a mound bear testimony to its antiquity. There is an old fort to the north town, it was in great part demolished in 1848. It is mentioned in the Ain-i-Akbari and was afterwards one of the strongholds of the Ramgarhias. In 1818, Maharaja Ranjit Singh who kept it for 14 years and then bestowed it, with the surrounding villages, on Prince Tara Singh, annexed it. One of the towers of the fort still remains, where the Government Girls High School is situated. There is also an old well here. Besides, there is an old tank near the Bus stand. It is said to have been dug by the Pandavas during their exile. Presently, the tank is in disuse.

Datarpur
Situated at a distance of about 2 km from "Jhir di khuhi", on Mukerian-Talwara road, Datarpur falls in Dasuya Tahsil. It is the biggest village in the Kandi area.

In the village, there is a Thakardwara Baba Lal Dayal, which was founded about the year 1809 by Tapa Das, one of the disciples of Baba Lal Dayal. Lateron Raja Gobind Chand of Datarpur built a temple here and granted a jagir to the thakardwara. Uptil now, there have been ten mahants and the present one in the eleventh occupying the gaddi.

Dharampur
Situated at a distance of 5 km from village Amroh, which fall on Talwara-Mubarakpur road, Dharampur is 14 km from Talwara. One has to pass through a cho bed from Amroh, which leads to village Dharampur situated at a distance of 5 km.

The village was formerly known as Gharta and with the incarnation of goddess, its name was changed to Dharampur. There is a celebrated shrine of Devi in the village. The temple is situated in the Shivalik hills and is said to be three centuries old. Besides the temple, there is a tank, which is in disuse. Two fairs are held here annually, during the months of Chet and Asuj. A large number of people from far off places come to pay their homage and also perform mundane ceremony.

Dera Santgarh (Horkhowal)
Dera Santgarh is situated at a distance of about 13 km from Hoshiarpur on Hoshairpur-Phagwara road, and is linked by an approach road (3 km). The dera has no connection with any of the Sikh Gurus. One Jawala Singh, a saint, who never wanted it to be built with pucca bricks, founded it. The construction of the dera was started in 1930 and completed during 1932.

A fair is held here annually for two days in the month of Kartik (27th and 28th October-November) to commemorate the death anniversary of Baba Jwala singh when a large number of people visit the dera. The dera is housed in a spacious building and has about 40 rooms for the stay of visitors. Free langer (food) is served to the people.

Dholbaha
Situated in a picturesque valley at the foot of the Shiwaliks, Dholbaha is 30 kilometers to the northwest of Hoshiarpur. It is approachable by a metal led road from Hariana (14 km) of which it forms the terminus.

Local tradition associated the place with the legendary king Dhol. Archaeology has pushed back its antiquity to the Pleistocene period when the Stone Age man roamed up and down the terraces and hillocks of the valley for food, water and shelter. Another tradition is that the name 'Dholbaha' is derived from 'Dharvalavaha' (white rivulet), which symbolizes the crystalline water of a gently murmuring stream winding its way along the silvery bed of glittering sand.

Dholbaha is known as an ancient-temple-town. The place remained increasingly flourishing throughout the early medival period (700-1200 A. D.) and it saw, like the rest of India, the most brilliant efflorescence of temple-building and sculptural art. A large number of amalakas (crowing members of temple spries) buried walls, plinths, and other architectural pieces establish the presence of several temples here at various places. Perhaps, the oldest sculpture is a head of Vishnu rougly datable to the 7th-8th century A. D. and the most beautiful is, again, a Vidhnu head of the 10th century, the other important ones being a reclining Ganesha, Shiva-Parvati seated on Nandi Mahishasuramardini, female figures or couples on architraves members and statue depicting four Juna images seated back to back. Most of the sculptures are of sandstone granite is also made use of. These are exhibited in the museum maintained by the Archaeology Department, Punjab, in the premises of the Vishveshvaranand Institute, Sadhu Ashram at Hoshiarpur. Besides, there is a museum at Dholbaha, where some of the findings excavated from here are displayed any shown to the visitors. There is also Mahisharsuramardini temple, which is stated to be more than 500 years old. Besides, there is another temple, in the name of goddess Mansa Devi.

There is also a temple of Shiva said to have been constructed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. A story goes that once the Maharaja was on his way to expedition of Kangra, he passed through this place and it was here that he was checked and his troops were detained by Maharaja Shital giri with his spiritual power. Out of reverence for the saint, Maharaja Ranjit Singh built a Shiva temple. By the side of the temple, there is a samadh of Shital Giri.

Garhdiwala
Situated at a distance of 28km from Hoshiarpur, the district headquarters, Garhdiwala falls on the Hoshiarpur-Dasuya road. Tradition goes that the town was built in 1443 A. D. by one Garhia, a Jat, and was named after his and that the addition of Diwala was made in 1812 on account of the incarnation of the goddess (devi) having appeared in the town. In honour of this event, one Jodh Singh, Ramgarhia, built a temple here. The work diwala is said to be wither a contraction for deviwala or the word diowala a temple. The said Sardar also built a fort in 1829 A. D., the traces of which are hardly visible. Around the town, there are some groves of mangoes. Starting from here, a belt of mango gardens can be seen up to Mahalpur.

Garhshankar
Headquarters of the tahsil/Subdivision of the same name, Garshankar is situated at a distance of 40 km from Hoshiarpur, the district headquarters, on the Hoshiarpur-Rupnagar road. It falls on the Jullundur City-Jaijon doaba line of the Northern Railway.

If tradition is to be belived, the town has a very ancient history. Before the first Muhammadan invasion, Raja Shankar Das is aid to have built a fort on the site of the present town. This fort was taken by Mahmud Ghaznavi and subsequently given by Emperor Shahab-ud-Din Ghauri to the sons of Raja Man Singh of Jaipur State. The Mahtons, who appear to have been the original inhabitants of the place were over powered and driven out by the Rajputs in 1175 A. D.

Among the architectural remains of the town are the kali mosque and the adjacent well. The fort built by Raja Shankar Das is in ruins, but a littrle portion of the outer wall still stands.

A fair is held every year at the shrine of a Muhammadan saint, known as 'Bara Rauza'. A large number of people from the neighbouring villages attends the fair and seek blessings of the saint.

Gurdwara Akalgarh
Constructed in the memory of Guru Hargobind, the sixth sikh Guru, Gurdwara Akalgarh is situated at a distance of about 5 km from Garhshanakar and is connected by a link road. It is believed that Guru Hargobind stayed here while on his way to Kiratpur. At a distance of about 1 km from this gurdwara, there is another gurdwara, also constructed in the memory of Guru Hargobind in village Moela Wahidpur. The forces of the Guru had stayed by the side of the present gurdwara. A fair is held here every year in the month of June.

Gurdwara Garna Sahib (Bodal)
Situated at a distance of about 1 ½ km from the railway station, Garna Sahib, and about 1km from village Bodal, tahsil Dasuya, Gurdwara Garna Sahib is also built in the sacred memory of Guru Hargobind. The Guru is said to have plantyed a dried branch of garna tree here which grew up as a tree and hence the name 'Garna Sahib'. Fairs are held here on every Maghi, Sankrant, Amavas and Baisakhi. Besides, a fair is held on the birthday of Guru hargobind in the month of June. A large number of people visit the place and free langar is served. There is a museum on the upper storey of the Gurdwara, where paintings of Sikh Gurus are displayed.

Gurdwara Tahsil Sahib (Monak Kalan)
Situated at a distance of 5 km from Tanda Urmar on Jullundur-Pathankot road, Gurdwara Tahsil Sahib is connected by an approach road. It is about 1.5 km to the north of village Monak Kalan, tahsil Dasuya. It is also constructed in the memory of Guru Hargobind. On his way to Garna Sahib from village Gilzian (birth place of Pandey Khan), Guru Hargobind is believed to have rested at this place. He is said to have buried a twing of tahli, which grew into a tree. The old tree still exists and is worshiped by the people. Nearby the tree, there is a gurdwara and a fair is held on every Amavas.

Hariana
Hariana is 15 km north of Hoshiarpur on the Hoshiarpur-Dasuya road. It remained the headquarters of a tahsil from 1846 to 1860, which was abolished in 1861.

Hariana is known for fine mango groves. A small perennial stream runs to the south of the town and the surrounding landscape is very picturesque. There are two old mosques in the town. Haji Sambal Khan built the mosque of Mufti situated to the west in the reign of Akbar in 1597-98 A. D. The Qazi's mosque is a little larger of somewhat later date and is without inscription.

Jaijon
Situated at a distance of 16 km to the north of Garhshankar Jaijon is a rail-terninus on the Hoshiarpur City-Jaijon doaba line of the Northern Railway.

Tradition goes that one Jaiju Sahah after whom the town was named founded Jaijon. There are five shrines including that of Jaiju Shah, which are held in esteem by the people. An annual fair is held here in the month of June in the memory of Baba Jaiju Shah.

In olden days, Jaijon was the seat of the Jaswal Rajas. Raja Ram Singh first took up his residence here, and the fort, which commanded the pass in the hills, was said to have been built in 1701 A. D. and to have been taken by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1815. The British Government dismantled it at the annexation. The palaces of the Jaswal Rajas are in ruins.

Jaijon was an emporium of trade, second only to Hoshiarpur and a good deal of cloth, both country and English make, passed through towards the hills. It was, thus, the gateway to Himachal Pradesh for all types of trade from Punjab. It remained so till the partition (1947) when thereafter it lost trade significance with the migration of Muslim traders to Pakistan. The town of jaijon was called 'Phallewali' or 'Pathranwali', which had a number of gates, the remains of which are visible on its outskirts.

Kamahi Devi (Beh Nangal)
Kamahi Devi temple is situated at a distance of 11 km from 'Jhir di Khuhi', on Mukerian-Talwara road, in village Beh Nangal, tahsil Dasuya. It is said to have been built by Pandavas who named it 'Kamakshi Devi'. Later, it was renamed as Kamahi Devi. Nearby the temple, there are an old tank and a well.

Malot
The village of Malot is situated at a distance of 4 km from Mahangarwal, which is 10 km from Hariana. At a distance of about 2 km from the village, there is an historical fort, known as fort of Malot, situated at the top of the hill. Since one has to wade through a narrow hilly choe as well as to climb the hill surrounded by shrubs, the approach to the fort is very difficult.

The fort was built in the times of Bahlol Lodhi (1451-89), which is now in dilapidated condition. It was here that Babar took prisoner the fugitives, named Daulat Khan Lodhi and Ghazi Khan. After a tough fight, babar personally searched the fort and examined Ghazi Khan's library. It was also here that Ali Khan, Ismail Khan and some other leading men were taken prisoners.

Mukerian
Situated on the Jullundur City-Mukerian-Pathankot-Jammu Tawi line of the Northern Railway, Mukerian is sub-tahsil of Dasuya Tahsil. It is 40 km from Pathankot and 15 km from Dasuya. By road, it is connected with Talwara (27 km), Hoshiarpur (57 km) and Jullundur (72 km).

Local tradition goes that Chaudhry Dara Khan of Awan Caste in 1754 A. D founded Mukerian. Another tradition relates that the town was named after one Mukeria Kalal and with the passage of time it was corrupted to Mukerian.

The town was enlarged and improved about 1768 by Sardar Jai Singh Kanhaya, who held possession of it. His daughter-in-law was Mai Sada Kaur whose daughter, Mehtab Kaur was married to maharaja Ranjit Singh. This union gave Ranjit Singh the co-operation of the Kanhaya enabled him to consolidate his power. Maharaja Ranjit Singh is said to have acquired the neighbouring fort of Atalgarh in 1819, now in ruins. A gurdwara has been erected on the ruins of the fort. In between the gurdwara and railway line, there is a baradari, which is in dilapidated condition. Maharani Mehtab Kaur gave birth to Ranjit Singh's son, Sher Singh here, who afterwards became Maharaja.

With the starting of Beas Dam and coming up of Talwara as a township, Mukerian has assumed greater importance. Goods are transported to Hajipur, Talwara and then to the areas comprising parts of Himachal Pradesh, from this place.

Rajni Devi
Situated at a distance of abot 3 km fro Chabewl, Hoshiarpur-Garhshankar road, an approach road (2.78 km) leads to Rajni Devi temple. A story goes that Rajni was the daughter of a Brahmin of village Rajni Devi, tahsil Hoshairpur. The Muslims maltreated her. Consequently, she cursed them and the village was deserted. Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra built the temple in the memory of Rajni Devi. People from far off places visit the temple, especially to perform mundane ceremony during navratta days in the months if Chet and Asuj.

Sham Chaurasi
Situated at a distance of 17 km from Hoshiarpur, the district headquarters, Sham Chaurasi is connected with the Hoshiarpur-Jullundur road by a link road. It is also a railway station on the Jullundur City-Hoshiarpur line of the Northern Railway.

According to records, ShamChaurasi has been mentioned as 'Chaurasi' and Ain-I-Akabri. Naru Rajputs of Bajwara who had embraced Islam occupied it. They defeated Brahmin occupants and usurped the area. Revenue records fail to throw any light as to how the prefix 'Sham' was added to Chaurasi. There is a khankah of Hazrat Shami Sahib. May be, that the prefix 'Sham' started after him, naming it as Sham Chaurasi.

Sham Chaurasi is a mono-functional town. There is no industry whatsoever. It is a small trading centre for the adjoining villages. It was a flourishing mandi of gur and jaggery but its trade suffered much after a partition (1947).

There is khankah of Hazrat Shami Sahib, situated on the outskirts of the town. A fair lasting for three days is held here annually in the month of Asuj. A large number of people from the neighbouring villages visit the place. There is an old tank, viz. Lanchhi Ram Talab, which is in dilapidated condition. The smadh of Lachhi Ram, however, exists.

Talwara
Situated at a distance of 27 km from Mukerian, Talwara is a sub-tahsil of Dasuya Tahsil. By road it is linked with Dasuya, Mukerian, Gagret and Dera Gopipur (Himachal Pradesh). There is a rail link at Talwara and Mukerian, but it is not open to public. The Government material required for the construction of Beas Dam is transport. Talwara was notified as a town for the first time during the 1971 Census.

According to records, one Talu of Awan Caste owned the land and after his name the village was known as Talwara or Talwara. He died issueless and the village was deserted. Subsequently, a Raja brought certain persons from villages Namoli of Namol got. One Rajput of Jaryal got came and settled in village Budhawar tahsil Dasuya. He married away his daughter to Raja Kamand Chand of Datarpur. The area around Talwara was given by Raja as a jagir to his Rani. She carved out certain areas from the adjoining villages. On account of this, talwara was also known as 'Barapind'. It was also cynically called as 'Chandarpind' as it was the place for which the adjoining chiefs constantly fought.

Talwara is a modern township in the Hoshiarpur District. It is divided into two portions, viz. old Talwara and Talwara Township. The old one is stereotype semi-hill town and the modern one is well planned and is divided into four sectores with underground drainage. Talwara is a mono-functional town without any industry. Goods are imported usually from other places to meet the daily needs of the residents-mostly employed in Beas Dam or other hydel projects.

There is an old Shiv temple in village Sri Pandain near Talwara Township. It is said to have been constructed by the Pandavas. There is also a typical well, near the temple said to be constructed by the Pandavas. One has to go 50 steps down to fetch water from this well. The well is still in use. A mela is held at the temple annually on Shivratri Day and is visited by a large number of people.

At a distance of about 10 km from Talwara Pong Dam has been constructed across river Beas. It lies opposite the village Ghamrur in the Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh. The construction work of Pong Dam was started in 1963 and was completed in 1947. This earth cum rock fill dam is the highest of its kind in the country. It comprises five tunnels and a powerhouse with an installed capacity of 240 MW (4 units each of 60 M W) in the first instance and 2 more units each of 60 MW at a later state. At present it is under the control of the Beas Project Power Wing. The construction of the dam has considerably minimized the incidence of floods downstream which is turn would help reclaim large tracts of land on both sides of the river.

Tanda Urmar
Situated at a distance of 16 km from Dasuya the tahsil headquarters, Tanda Urmar falls on the Jullundur City-Mukerian-Pathankot-Jammu Tawi line of the Northern Railway. By road, it is linked with Hoshiarpur, Jullundur, Kapurthala and Amritsar. Tanda Urmar consists of two localities about 1.5 km apart. Urmar and Tanda. The municipality of Tanda Urmar also includes Ahyapur and Darapur.

There is a famous Muhammadan shrine of the saint Sakhi Sarwar at Ahyapur at which an annual fair is held. Besides there are four darghas (tombs_ of Muhammadan saints and a Dera Mastgarh at Tanda. There is also Buta Bhagat Ashram at Darapur and a fair lasting for three days is held here annually in the month of June. Musical gathering are held every year in the months of March-April at the smadh of Baba Hargobing (Urmar), which is stated to be about a century old.

At a distance of 5 km from Tanda Urmar on the Tanda Urmar-Kapurthala road there is a gurdwara built in the memory of Guru Hargobind at village Pukhta. The Guru is said to have stayed here on his way to Garna Sahib. A fair is held here annually on Baisakhi Day.

Tomb of Shah Nur Jamal (Saleran)
There is a tomb of Shah Nur Jamal situated at a distance of about 15 km from Hoshiarpur on Hoshiarpur-Dharamshal road which dates back to Hijri 1334. Before the partition it was a place of great religious importance where a large number of Muslims gathered to pay their homage. But after the partition with the migration of Muslim population to Pakistan the popularity of the place considerably declined.

A fair is held here in the month of March for two days. People from the neighbouring villages visit the place on the occasion. There are three graves inside the tomb; in the centre lies the grave of Shah Nur Jamal a Muslim saint and on the right and left of it there are graves of his parents.

When Baba Farid was a few years old his mother taught him his prayers. The boy asked her what was gained by prayer. His mother replied Sugar. Accordingly, she used to hide some sugar under his prayer-carpet, and, when he had finished his prayers, drew it forth, and give it to him as a reward of his devotion. One day his mother forgot to put the sugar, but after prayers, there was sugar under the carpet. From that day on, Bibi Miriam started calling his son Shakar Ganj, or the treasury of Sugar.

When Baba Farid was 16 years old, he went to Hajj and stayed in the house of Abdul Rahim Ansari. Since Baba Farid ji use to talk in Punjabi, an unkempt faqir on hearing Farid’s language foretold the Boy’s subsequent greatness. After Farid came back to Punjab, he was sent to Khwaja Qutub-ud-Din Bakhtiar Kaki at Delhi to learn theology. Qutub-ud-din, on finding Baba Farid deficient in scholarship sent him to the shrine of Abdul Shakur of Sarsa, near Delhi to finish his education. On that occasion Baba Farid repeated the following:

O Farid, thou hast not walked in God’s way;
therefore He hath no appeared unto thee
Who is there who hath knocked at God’s door
for whom it hath not been opened
Lost thy life on the way of the Friend
if thou desire to be even as those holy men.

The high reputation Farid acquired in Delhi soon became irksome to him. He therefore made his way to Hansi, where he remained for some time. Meanwhile Khwaja Qutub-ud- Bakhtiar Kaki died at Delhi and Baba Farid paid a second visit to that city, and assumed the mantle of his late spiritual guide. He ultimately left it in the keeping of Jamal-ud-Din of Hansi and thence proceeded to Ajodhan, the present Pak Pattan. The manner in which the name of Ajodhan changed to Pak Pattan was that a canal, which derived its water from the Sutlej passed near the town. It was usual for all who visited Baba Farid to wash their hands and feet there. The place henceforth became known as Baba Sahib ji da Pak Pattan, or Farid’s cleansing ferry.

Sheikh Farid ji made Pak Pattan a great center of Sufi thoughts. People from all over India and Middle East would come to see him. He always used his language, that is, Punjabi spoken by common people, even though he was highly learned and educated in Arabic, Persian, etc. All his couplets are written in Punjabi or Persian script. He generally rejected offerings of money, but would accept gifts of food, etc. for public kitchen. Baba Farid went to Delhi again and was received with a hospitable reception. Emperor Nasir-ud-Din Balban introduced him to his family. Hazabra, the Emperor's daughter, was married to Baba Sheikh Farid, but only after Emperor Balban promised not to give any costly gifts. Baba ji distributed all her jewels, etc. to the poor.

Once seven hundred holy men were sitting together. An inquirer put them four questions to which Baba Farid ji replied:

Q.1 Who is the wisest of men?
A.1 He who refraineth from Sin.
Q.2 Who is the most intelligent?
A.1 He who is not disconcerted at anything.
Q.3 Who is most independent?
A.3 He who practise the contentment.
Q.4 Who is the most needy?
A.4 He who practise the it not.

A Student asked Baba Farid if singing was lawful and proper. He replied that, according to Islam, it was certainly unlawful, but its propriety was still a matter of discussion. Nizam-ud-Dauliya told Nasir-ud-din, a disciple of his, that one day when he went to visit Baba Farid he stood at his door, and saw him dancing as he sang the following :

I wish ever to live in Thy love, O God
If I become the dust under Thy feet, I shall live
I thy slave desire none but Thee in both worlds;
For Thee I will live and for Thee I will die.

The following couplet was a favorite of Baba Farid’s:



Not every heart is capable of finding the secret of God’s love. There are not pearls in every sea; there is not gold in every mine.

Baba Farid visited a city called Mokhalpur, it is now called Faridkot in honor of the Baba Farid, and is in the Indian part of Punjab. He then turned towards the Punjabi mountains where he converted a tribe. Baba Farid remained there for six months and then he locked up the house in which he had dwelt, saying that his successor would open it, and then returned to Pak Pattan. As his successor, Diwan Taj-ud-Din, was returning from a pilgrimage to Mecca and Madina, he happened to visit that part of the country. He asked people the name of their tribe, they said they were descendents of Qutub-ul-Alam Baba Farid Shakarganj. And thus Taj-ud-din opened the door of Baba Farid’s hut hundreds of years later.
Baba Farid died of Pneumonia on the fifth day of the month of Muharram, CE 1266. The date of Baba Farid's death is commemorated by chronograms (a) Farid Asari (b) Auliye Khudai. He was unique, a saint of God. Baba Farid was buried outside the town of Pak Pattan at a place called Martyr's Grave. His torch of Sufi thoughts was carried by his successor and subsequently several others such as Bhagat Kabir, Guru Nanak, etc. who were influenced by the teachings of the great Saint. Guru Nanak’s contemporary was Baba Sheikh Farid Sani, or the second Sheikh Farid, 6th in succession of Baba Farid Shaikh Shakarganj. Thus, Baba Sheikh Farid Shakarganj can be truly called the founder of Punjabi literature, making Punjabi literature older than Hindi, Urdu, etc. It was much after Baba Farid's use of Punjabi that Tulsidas, Mira Bai, etc started using Hindi as the language for writing religious literature. Baba Sheikh Farid can truly be called the founder of the Punjabi literary tradition.

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22 mae ta kadae aya nai athae
manu ta ajj cheta athae b id banyi c
jadh kholan lagga ta khandae id is ban
paap karn toa phela ayi khada par gaya :sad:

pehli gal ta tusi jhut bol rahe ho ki kade aye he nhi dec 21, 22, 23 tusie post kiti c pehla.... n duj gal tuhanu ban esi lyi kita hona tusie kuch galat kita hova gaya ethe baki gs nu pata hona...

tusie lana mangde ho?