The History Behind Sikh Shrine Goindwal Baoli

Punjab, India

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Goindwal (also spelled Goindval) is the site of a township and Sikh shrine Goindwal Baoli, the Well of 84 Steps which was constructed in the 16th century by Guru Amar Das. Goindwal is located on the banks of the River Beas. Originally a ferry landing which connected a popular East, West crossroads of the time, Goindwal became a Sikh center and the first Sikh pilgrimage site. Goindwal has more than a dozen spiritual points of interest and continues to be a popular destination of devotees who visit the important Sikh shrines of the Tarn Taran District in Punjab, India.

Founding of the Village Goindwal

A trader by name of Goinda hoped to establish a post at the ferry landing to take advantage of the traffic of the crossroads. He encountered a great many difficulties launching his venture. Fearing demonic interference, he asked Second Guru Angad Dev’s blessing on his project. Amar Das, a devoted disciple of Guru Angad, carried water every day from the ferry landing to the nearby village of Khadur where Guru Angad and his followers resided. Guru Angad asked his faithful follower Amar Das to oversee the project. The second guru gave Amar Das a staff with instructions that it should be used for the removal of any obstacles. Amar Das successfully helped to lay the foundation of a village became which came to be known as Goindwal after the trader Goinda.

The Gurus and Goindwal

Goinda had a special place built in Goindwal to honor Guru Angad Dev. The Guru requested Amar Das to make Goindwal his home. Amar Das slept in Goindwal nights. During the day he resumed his duties and carried water to Khadur for Guru Angad’s morning bath. Along the way, Amar Das recited the hymn "Japji Sahib", the Sikh's morning prayer. He stayed in Khadur to hear the hymn of "Asa Di Var," a composition of Guru Angad interspersed with hymns by First Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. He then returned to Goindwal to fetch more water for the guru’s free communal kitchen and carried it back to Khadur. Guru Angad Dev selected Amar Das as the most faithful of his Sikhs and appointed him to be his successor. When Amar Das became the third guru, he moved permanently to Goindwal with his family and followers.​

Goindwal Baoli, the Well of Goindwal

Guru Amar Das arranged for a baoli, or covered well, to be constructed in Goindwal in order to serve the needs of Sikhs and other visitors. The ancient well he built has become a popular historic Sikh shrine. In modern times, the well spans about 25 feet or 8 meters. Arched access opens to a domed entrance decorated with frescoes depicting the life of Guru Amar Das. A divided underground staircase with 84 covered steps descends beneath the earth to the well's sacred waters. One side of the staircase is for the use of women and the side other for men.

Each step is thought to represent 100,000 life forms of a possible 8.4 million existences. Many devotees visiting Goindwal Baoli Sahib recite the entire hymn of "Japji" on each step. The devotees first descend to bathe and perform ablution in the waters of the well. Next devotees begin to recite Japji on the lowest step. After completing the prayer, devotees return to water of the well for another dip. Devotees then move on to the next higher next step, repeating the prayer and performing in all 84 complete recitations, in hopes of being liberated from transmigration.

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Khalsa, Sukhmandir. "The History Behind Sikh Shrine Goindwal Baoli." Learn Religions, Aug. 28, 2020, learnreligions.com/goindwal-baoli-the-well-of-goindwal-2993190. Khalsa, Sukhmandir. (2020, August 28). The History Behind Sikh Shrine Goindwal Baoli. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/goindwal-baoli-the-well-of-goindwal-2993190 Khalsa, Sukhmandir. "The History Behind Sikh Shrine Goindwal Baoli." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/goindwal-baoli-the-well-of-goindwal-2993190 (accessed March 19, 2024).