Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji
Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji took birth in the village of Sewewala in 1922. Her mother (Mata Nand Kaur Ji) and father (Baba Jeon Singh Ji) possessed great saintly qualities. Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji’s nature from birth was rare – she remained in utmost spiritual bliss, which was regularly witnessed by village folk when she entered Samadhi (a state of nirvana).
When Beeba Ji was two years old, she was taken by her Mother for the darshan (blessed vision) of the great saint of the century, Sant Attar Singh Ji of Mastuana Sahib, during his historic visit to Jaito (at the protest of Gangsar Jaito Morcha in 1924). When Beeba Ji was in the holy presence of Sant Ji, Sant Attar Singh Ji asked what the child’s name was. Mata Nand Kaur Ji replied informally, “Nihal” (blessed). Foreseeing Beeba Ji’s spiritual greatness, Sant Attar Singh Ji declared to the gathered sangat,
“100 years from now, the whole world will be saying, “NIHAL, NIHAL, NIHAL!”
The sangat regularly witnessed miracles, even in Beeba Ji’s infancy. Locals often observed Beeba Ji, aged 4-5 years old, inhale a deep breath before entering a state of Samadhi. Sitting legs crossed and hands locked, eyes and mouth tightly shut, Beeba Ji’s body would become completely still. During this intense meditation, her mouth would remain closed but the sangat would hear Gurbani recitation resonating from Beeba Ji’s body, even from hundreds of metres away. Throughout the history of bhagti and meditation, no other example of such a state had been observed before.
As she grew older, it was evident that Beeba Ji had a special and deep love for Mata Sahib Kaur Ji (the Mother of the Khalsa). From a young age, Beeba Ji became devoted to Mata Ji and started to demonstrate special respect towards Mata Ji.
There were many miraculous feats that occurred during Beeba Ji’s childhood. At the age of 11 years old, there was talk amongst the locals of visiting Takhat Sri Hazoor Sahib, Nanded which was over 1000 miles away. (This is another of the five forts of the Sikh nation and the asthan where Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji left his physical body, after declaring Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the eternal Guru of the Sikhs.) At this point, Beeba Ji turned to those near her and stated, “Bhog has just been done of Karah Prashad Degh at Sri Hazoor Sahib. Here, take some.” She opened her hands. The fresh Prashad (an offering of food to Guru Sahib) from Sri Hazoor Sahib had materialised in her palms, which she distributed to the awe-struck sangat. This was another example of how spiritually connected Beeba Ji was to the Gurus and their asthans.
When Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji was 14 years old, she joined the sangat of another great saint, Sant Jawala Singh Ji of Harkhowal Sahib. Even at this young age, Beeba Ji would recite 5 Sukhmani Sahib Paaths (each usually taking over an hour to complete) whilst preparing and serving Sant Ji’s parshada (meals).
As time went on, Beeba Ji started to bring the parchar (messages) of Mata Sahib Kaur Ji to the masses. Beeba Ji remained a firm follower of Mata Ji throughout her life, and shared a lot of knowledge about Mata Ji’s history with her close ones.
In 1943, when Beeba Ji was 21 years old, she and two other women went to seek darshan of Sant Baba Nand Singh Ji of Nanaksar Kaleran. This was a time when Sant Ji would normally refrain from talking to women alone. When Beeba Ji and her companions stepped downstairs into Sant Ji’s Bhora Sahib (isolated meditation room), she saw large amounts of fruit, nuts and delicacies that had been given as bheta (offerings) to Sant Baba Nand Singh Ji by his huge gathering of devotees. Sant Ji was much older than Beeba Ji and used to speak very quickly. Recognising Beeba Ji’s spiritual wisdom despite her young age, Sant Ji motioned towards the piles of donated goods, stating, “All of these gifts are not equivalent to your darshani bheta, but this is equivalent to my thought of giving you a darshani bheta”. Beeba Ji humbly bowed down to Sant Ji’s holy feet and humbly requested Sant Ji to not utter these words (as Sant Ji themselves were of a very high spiritual state).
Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji, along with Beeba Punjab Kaur Ji’s Jatha also from Sewewala Sahib, continued visiting Sant Jawala Singh Ji for many years at various locations. During one such visit in 1946, the Maharaja of Patiala, Yadwinder Singh had come to seek Sant Ji’s blessings in Chail. At this time, Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji was 23 years old and routinely immersed in reciting Gurbani and preparing Sant Ji’s langar. On his visit, Yadwinder Singh found out that a lady in Sant Jawala Singh Ji’s sangat meditated in a very unique way. He also learnt that she shared his own family ancestry, known as ‘Baba Phool ke/Bahiya’. The Maharaja asked Sant Jawala Singh Ji about this lady and Sant Ji advised him to go and seek darshan of her and her meditative state. In the late evening, Maharaja Yadwinder Singh himself witnessed Beeba Ji in samadhi. He was awestruck. The following morning, he returned and proclaimed that as “you are from the Bahiya ancestry, I wish to donate 500 acres of land to you.” The Maharaja had all the paperwork ready to hand over, but Beeba Ji being the epitome of humility and grace, politely declined his offer with the kind words “My brother, what are we going to do with that much land? What little land we have provides plenty for us. Please donate this elsewhere to a worthy cause”. The Maharaja, along with the rest of the sangat, was left speechless and overwhelmed by Beeba Ji’s detachment and humility.
Sant Jawala Singh Ji’s main residence was at Harkhowal, Hoshiarpur where he would meditate in a mud and straw hut. Both saints’ spiritual connection grew over time. Sant Ji knew of Beeba Ji’s spiritual greatness. When she visited in 1950, he encouraged her to reveal her power, even just a little, with the words “thoda bahuta ujagar hovo”. Beeba Ji replied “Sat bachan Ji… we will reveal some now, but the rest will manifest later in time”. This was due to BeebaJi’s deep understanding and respect for Sant Attar Singh Ji’s prophecy that 100 years from now, everyone will declare Nihal, Nihal, Nihal.
From 1950 onwards, Beeba Ji started visiting Mastuana Sahib on the Barsi (commemoration of the life) of Sant Attar Singh Ji, where Beeba Ji would stay for all three days of prayers. Sant Sucha Singh Ji, who was the close sewadar of Sant Ji, would himself tend to Beeba Ji and her Jatha. Beeba Ji had such reverence for Sant Attar Singh Ji, that she never missed these annual occasions between 1960-1988. Sardar Gurbax Singh Ji also later joined Beeba Ji in attending the annual smagam.
During all of this time, Beeba Ji continued to do parchar and spread the teachings of Mata Sahib Kaur Ji. It became widely known that Beeba Ji had a strong connection with Mata Ji. In time, Sewewala Sahib became associated with the Mother of the Khalsa. It was such a spiritually powerful place that the sangat started feeling deeply connected to Mata Sahib Kaur Ji too.
In 1958, under Beeba Ji’s guidance along with the efforts of other Bibiyan, Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Ji Bhindrawale (12th Jathedar of Damdami Taksal) arrived at Sewewala Sahib along with the jatha of 200 Singhs to perform an ‘Ikotri’ (113 consecutive Akhand Paaths (complete uninterrupted recitations) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, held alongside daily Santhya and Katha diwans. This was the first time something of this scale had happened in and around the locality. During this time, Beeba Ji engaged herself day and night in untiring langar sewa and catered to all other needs. She would carry 100 pots of water from the well every night for the Singhs in the Jatha, to the point where the Kes (uncut hair) on her head had began to fall out. Such was the level of sacrifice and devotion for service of those carrying out the sewa of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The whole Jatha stayed for more than 100 days and an Amrit Sanchar (Khalsa initiation Ceremony) took place towards the end of the stay.
Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji possessed a rare quality in maintaining ekta (inclusiveness) with all Jathebandia (factions of Sikhs), visiting many different saints. Another saint who she regularly visited was Sant Isher Singh Ji from Rara Sahib. Whenever Sant Ji would be in the Malwa area (such as Mansa, Barnala, Bhatinda, Moga), Beeba Ji would attend his diwans. In 1975, Beeba Ji made special efforts to attend Sant Ji’s final 5 diwans in Barnala, as well as all of his final 21 diwans in Delhi. This was just before Sant Isher Singh Ji left India for a tour of the UK. Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji, along with other sangat, went to see Sant Ji off at the airport in Delhi and quietly returned home. Shortly afterwards, when news broke out that Sant Isher Singh Ji had left his physical body whilst in the UK, Beeba Ji remarked that “asi santa nu vidaa kar aye hai – asi uhdo hi fateh bulaa aaye si”; meaning that, knowing Sant Ji’s future, Beeba Ji had already said her last Gur-Fateh (Sikh greeting and farewell) to Sant Ji.
In 1971, Sardar Gurbax Singh Ji (a Junior Engineer in the Electricity Board at the time) accompanied his sister Bibi Inderjeet Kaur, who was a celibate and herself led a highly spiritual lifestyle, to meet Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji. There, Sardar Ji observed Beeba Ji’s unique samadhi and felt a spiritual awakening. He was shocked that somebody could have Gurbani echoing so loudly from their body yet their mouth be sealed shut. This revelation developed into loving devotion, with Sardar Gurbax Singh Ji dedicating himself to Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji. As Sardar Ji were of befitting age, Beeba Ji arranged his marriage to Mata Pritam Kaur Ji and encouraged them to pursue a degree and later a Masters in Electrical Engineering. Sardar Ji went on to have three children, and worked hard to provide them with good education.Currently two children live in the UK, whilst one lives and works in Punjab.
Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji had very good relations with Damdami Taksal. As mentioned previously, Sant Gurbachan Singh Ji had visited Sewewala Sahib with the jatha. Later, Beeba Ji regularly attended Sant Kartar Singh Ji’s (the succeeding 13th Jathedar of the institution) diwans, as well as attending the Dastarbandi (inauguration ceremony) of the 14th jathedar, Sant Jarnail Singh Ji in the August of 1977.
During this momentous occasion, Beeba Ji and Sardar Gurbax Singh Ji brought a Dastar (Turban) and took part in anointing the new Jathedar. They stayed overnight at Damdami Taksal Headquarters in Mehta Chowk. Beeba Ji often gave her gathered charitable donations here. Sant Jarnail Singh Ji, whilst checking on the sangat staying at the asthan, met Beeba Ji and Sardar Ji outside their room. Sant Ji personally sought Beeba Ji’s blessings for the upcoming times. Beeba Ji blessed them by saying “Don’t worry son, you are the one to face everything.” Sant Ji smiled and left.
Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji herself had worked and lived off the earnings from her fields from a young age. However, these turbulent political times changed the climate of Punjab, making it unsafe. So it was around this time that Beeba Ji detached herself from her work.
Baba Thakur Singh Ji (who later led Damdami Taksal) also visited Sewewala Sahib, during Sant Gurbachan Singh Ji’s visits and thereafter. When Baba Ji heard of Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji’s departure from this world, he enquired through Sardar Gurbax Singh Ji as to why he had not been informed earlier, so that he could attend the cremation. Needless to say, Sardar Gurbax Singh Ji was in such deep bairaag (sense of separation), that he could not arrange communications with many sangat.
Historically, during the 1920s, Sant Attar Singh Ji had discovered the area surrounding Sri Damdama Sahib (which came into existence many years later) and built Gurdwara Mastuana Bunga. Beeba Ji was well connected with this Gurdwara and also close to Baba Chotta Singh Ji (still current sewadar there) and previously Baba Chanda Singh Ji. These two sewadars were pivotal in arranging kirtan-katha diwans at Sewewala and the surrounding villages. Beeba Ji would send all donations from sangat to this asthan. On one occasion, a family who were devoted to Beeba Ji sent a fridge (which was a rare commodity in those days) to Beeba Ji as an offering. Beeba Ji, forsaking all attachment to worldly desires, instead sold this fridge and sent the money to Mastuana Bunga. She continued to send donations to this asthan and a room still exists to date which was made using Beeba Ji’s contributions.
Beeba Ji met various sangat from different areas of India, including Chandigarh, Dehradun, Uttrakhand, Ludhiana and Delhi. In 1982, Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji and Sant Sucha Singh Ji (Mastuana Bunga) attended an Akhand Paath by a family from Chandigarh. This is where many of those close to Beeba Ji were introduced to Sant Baba Ajit Singh Ji Hansali wale. Beeba Ji went once more to meet Sant Baba Ajit Singh Ji Hansali Wale in 1989, hinting to the sangat, including Sardar Gurbax Singh Ji, that they should visit Hansali Sahib from now on. Unbeknown to sangat at that time, Beeba Ji was preparing them for the future.
On the day of 2nd March 1990, after fulfilling a lifetime of sewa and bandgi (devotional worship), Beeba Ji returned to the Almighty Vaheguru. During her life, Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji remained relatively hidden and never disclosed her spiritual status to others. Beeba Ji would visit great saints and in turn all of these saints would instantly recognise the greatness of Beeba Ji, showing her the utmost respect. She blessed sangat with worldly as well as spiritual upliftment. For example, Beeba Ji blessed many youth with jobs, upgraded local primary schools in the village, developed water works/sanitation and directed the construction of a road from Jaito to Goniana – all vastly improving the daily lives and futures of the locals. Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji’s body was cremated at Gurdwara Sewewala Sahib on the following day, 3rd March 1990.
Along with others, Beeba Ji’s charan sewak (devout servant), Sardar Gurbax Singh Ji (former Additional S.E. of Punjab Electricity Board), inherited Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji’s land and property. Subsequently, under his guidance, along with efforts of local village chiefs, an annual barsi program commenced in 1991 which continues to take place annually.
Sangat from 25-30 local villages, as well as many families from national and international cities, attend to remember Beeba Ji’s altruism.
Sardar Gurbax Singh Ji initiated preservation of the land where Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji’s cremation took place and built a sanskar room and a Kalas (decorative dome)at the top of the Gurdwara Sahib.
In 1992 and 1993, Brahmgiani Sant Baba Ajit Singh Ji Hansali wale personally came with sangat to the asthan during Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji’s barsi smagam, to bless the sangat and pay his respects to Beeba Ji. During a time when ration wasn’t easily available in such large quantities, Baba Khem Singh Ji Bhucho Kalaa sent truckloads of langar supplies for the barsi smagam.
Sardar Gurbax Singh Ji continued his sewa of the Gurdwara Sahib and sangat whilst working in the Punjab Electricity Board, until 2006 when he retired. In 2008, Sant Baba Ajit Singh Ji Hansali Wale advised them to reside at Sewewala Sahib. Baba Gurbax Singh Ji used to spend a couple of days a week at Hansali Sahib and the rest of the time at Sewewala Sahib. Through the bachan of Sant Baba Ajit Singh Ji, from 2010 onwards, Baba Gurbax Singh Ji started an Akhand Paath larri (chain of continuous Akhand Paaths) at Sewewala Sahib.
Years passed with Baba Gurbax Singh Ji remaining in meditative solitude at Sewewala Sahib. On the 1st January 2015, Sant Baba Ajit Singh Ji also left his physical form and merged back with Vaheguru. Dr. Karandeep Singh Ji, a young and accomplished Gursikh, flew from the UK with other sangat to attend Sant Baba Ajit Singh Ji’s funeral.
Dr. Karandeep Singh Ji
Dr. Karandeep Singh Ji was born in Delhi, India in 1984.His mother, Mata Balwinder Kaur has shared that after her marriage, she became troubled as she couldn’t conceive a child. Then, with great faith in Gurbani, she became pregnant with Dr. Ji. When Dr. Karandeep Singh Ji was 18 months old, he still hadn’t started speaking. Mata Ji became concerned, as some people started saying that Dr. Ji were deaf and dumb. Mata Ji decided to take Dr. Ji by herself to Sri Hemkunt Sahib (an asthan high up in the mountains of Uttrakhand, where the tenth Guru had done immense meditation, before taking physical form as the Guru). She walked all the way to the top of the mountain with Baba Ji on her back. She did Ardas to Guru Sahib, praying, “This is your own child. Please bless him!” On the way back from Sri Hemkunt Sahib Yatra (pilgrimage), she reached a Gurdwara in Sri Nagar and Dr. Karandeep Singh Ji said his first words!
With unshaken belief in Guru Sahib, Mata Ji said that also at this age, she regularly attended the local Gurdwara in Delhi and did sewa of sweeping the floors outside, on the walkway around Gurdwara. She bought Dr. Karandeep Singh Ji a mini brush as well, and at 2 yrs old he would use this brush to lovingly clean the floor inside the hall where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was present. Soon Dr. Ji started nursery and began reciting Sri Japji Sahib daily. By age 5, Dr. Ji had increased this to 5 a day. Mata Ji said he would do one before school, two on the way to school and two on the way back.
Dr. Karandeep Singh Ji was still based in Delhi when he was blessed with Amrit in 1999, aged 15. As soon as he was deemed old enough, on 23rd January 2006 (aged only 21) Dr. Ji was blessed with the Panj Pyaare sewa. This sacred sewa is blessed to those for whom it is preordained, those who show an exemplary lifestyle committed to the Sikh tenets and requires all 5 Singhs to complete the image of the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji; only then can they administer Amrit and initiate others into the Khalsa family. This dedication to the Sikh faith spread further when Dr. Ji was married to a humble life partner who supported and shared his love for the Guru.
As time progressed, in order to further his education and career, Dr. Karandeep Singh Ji arrived in the UK in 2008 along with his wife. In 2009, Dr. Ji and his wife were blessed with a son, Bachittar Singh.
Dr. Karandeep Singh Ji achieved a PhD in Maths at University of Loughborough. Within a very short space of time, he worked in Leicester, Walsall and successfully progressed to a post in a globally recognised company in Central London. Although Dr. Ji reached an extraordinarily senior level post with an annual income of over £125,000, he continued his sewa of inviting Gursikhs to his home to serve and feed, alongside his regular Panj Pyaare sewa.
It was during Baba Ajit Singh Ji’s funeral programme in 2015 when Dr. Karandeep Singh Ji met Baba Gurbax Singh Ji. A year later, after Baba Ajit Singh Ji’s first barsi program, Dr. Ji visited Sewewala Sahib for the first time in January 2016. A strange connection emerged on this trip and in the following few months. Dr. Karandeep Singh Ji received incomprehensible spiritual experiences in which Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji gave him darshan and instructed him to reside at Sewewala Sahib and partake in sewa there. Initially, Dr. Singh brushed aside these episodes, but Beeba Ji continued to give him darshan many times, repeating the same instruction over and over. This darshan was a spiritual manifestation of Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji showing her eternal power, stretching beyond the death of her physical form; as per the words of the fifth Guru: “Brahmgiani sadh jeevai, nahi marta” (the God-conscious Being always lives and never dies) Sukhmani Sahib, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Dr. Karandeep Singh Ji finally made the biggest decision of his life, one that would see many of us falter – to leave the UK and its many luxuries – including a well respected job in London, a 4 bedroom house and 2 cars – and move to a small, rural, Punjabi village called Sewewala for the rest of his life.
In July 2016, Dr. Karandeep Singh Ji arrived at Sewewala Sahib, where Baba Gurbax Singh Ji and all villagers wholeheartedly welcomed Dr. Karandeep Singh Ji, his wife and 6 year old son. This rare test of faith, relying solely on the bachan received from Beeba Ji, was the start of something indescribable. As per the bachan by Sant Attar Singh Ji during Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji’s infancy, that “100 years from now, everyone will declare Nihal, Nihal, Nihal”, many miraculous blessings have occured since the arrival of Dr. Baba Karandeep Singh Ji.
Today, at this historic site of meditation and spiritual devotion, Gurdwara Sewewala Sahib maintains a continuous chain of 13 Akhand Paaths of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji alongside continuous Japji Sahib recital. It follows the maryada (method and discipline) of Sri Hazoor Sahib, with the blessings of the current head, Jathedar Sant Baba Kulwant Singh Ji. An Akhand Paath from Sri DasamGranth Sahib Ji (the writings of the Tenth Guru) also takes place, which is supported by Baba Avtar Singh Ji and Dal Baba Bidhi Chand, Sur Singh. Daily Diwans consist of nitnem, kirtan/katha and Vaheguru Simran, in conjunction with any other historical celebrations such as:
1. Barsi – Brahmgiani Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji (March)
2. Barsi – Sant Baba Asa Singh Ji (August)
3. Parkash – Mata Sahib Kaur Ji (October)
4. Barsi – Brahmgiani Sant Baba Ajit Singh Ji Hansali Sahib ( January)
People from all backgrounds (Sikh and non-Sikhs) have attended the programmes from all over the world to experience the spiritual bliss this asthan has to offer.
As initiated by Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji, the main objective of this asthan is to spread the knowledge and understanding blessed to us by the Mother of the Khalsa, Dhan Dhan Mata Sahib Kaur Ji. In this way, Gurdwara Sewewala Sahib is the first asthan to start this dedicated parchar of Mata Sahib Kaur Ji. The sewa of the asthan, with the support of the locals, is managed by Baba Gurbax Singh Ji and Dr. Baba Karandeep Singh Ji and is not connected to any political party. It is worth noting here that in the district of Faridkot, the most educated locals descend from Sewewala Sahib, and with the efforts mentioned above – spreading the inspiring knowledge of Mata Sahib Kaur Ji – 90% of the youth have given up their Drug addictions through joining to Gurbani (the word of the Guru). Other blessings upon sangat include curing children’s allergies, arranging weddings, gaining jobs, relieving mental and physical anxieties, blessings of children and propelling spiritual growth. Both Baba Gurbax Singh Ji and Dr. Baba Karandeep Singh Ji, with complete faith in Gurbani and the bachan of saints, believe all the developments & miracles that are happening are due to Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji herself. They humbly request all sangat around the world to visit the asthan and feel connected to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Mata Sahib Kaur Ji and Beeba Nihal Kaur Ji.
