It
has been decades that the people of Chopra Gotra wanted to
know about the history of their ancestral land i.e. Jathere.
So in order to fulfill the wishes of thousands of people Sub.
Dr. Hazaara Singh Chopra undertook the task to bring into the
light Chopras about the same in his book 'Chopra Jot Amar ---
Chopra Sachkhand Bainkuth Dham Darbar'. The handed anecdote
has been translated from the same book.
The
place (Chopra Jathere) is situated in middle of the villages
named Chakk Dhandaur and Isharwal. The land for the Holy Place
to be erected was donated by the kind and humble man named
Sardar Darbar Singh Sherdil, a resident of the village
Isharwal. It is said that whosoever comes to him never goes
back refused. During a meeting it was decided that on every 'Haarh
Di Sangraand' a public gathering i.e. Mela will be
organized as by this time people get free from their work. In
this regard, an advertisement was published in the newspaper
and the Sangat who were aware of the committee were posted
letters.
Everybody knows that Mistry Ratan Chand Chopra always came
forward to serve the mankind. He got a room built along with
his co-workers. It was the first time when Bhog Sri Akhand
Path was held. Mistry Ratan Chand was appointed as the Mahant
and cashier of Jathere. It was decided that whosoever wanted
to donate and get some work to be done on the place has to
seek permission of Mistry. An idea of construction of a wall
around the cemetery was also decided in one of the meetings
held. So on June 14, 1993 the secretary of the committee
announced for the monetory help to the presence/ Sangat. Soon
after the announcement, Mr. Mohan Lal Chaudhary from village
Jandiala came forward and said that he would be happy to serve
in any way he could. He donated an amount of Rs. 15,000 and
said that he would never step back to serve Jathere.
After the Bhog Sri Akhand Path Sr. Gurbachan Singh made an
Ardas. After this, under the leadership of Sh. Sadhu Ram
Chopra, a committee was established.
The
members of the committee were as follows:
-
Sh. Sadhu Ram Chopra, village Reru, Jalandhar was appointed
as President.
-
Mistry Ratan Chand Chopra, village Ramnagar Chomon, Distt.
Jalandhar was to serve as a Mahant and Cashier.
-
Sub. Hazaara Singh Chopra, village Chakk Raju Singh, Distt.
Hoshiarpur was appointed as Granthi and Convenor.
-
Sh. Kamal Chopra, village Jandu Singha, Jalandhar was
appointed as Cashier.
-
Sh. Gurbachan Ram Chopra, village Kunta, Distt. Hoshiarpur
was to serve as Stage-secretary.
Under the leadership of Sh. Sadhu Ram Chopra, it was decided
that a cemetery is to be built at the place of Peepul tree. As
it was a difficult task to cut the tree, so the Sangat prayed
to the almighty to permit them to accomplish the task as it is
being done for a good cause i.e. to make Bainkuth Dham look
even more beautiful. Luckily, the prayers of the Sangat were
answered. The tree was cut down and the material was placed
out from the foundation. While cleaning the foundation, as it
was already informed by the Babas at Dham, a black snake
emerged out and left towards the farms. Nobody took any weapon
to kill it.
Dr.
Sub. Hazaara Singh asked a person named Tara Singh had he ever
witnessed a miracle happening on the place. He got an
affirmative reply. Tara Singh said, on one of the Sundays at
around 10 o' clock PM a light emerges from the place, moves
out towards the lower side of the farms. It seems as if
someone has moved out for a walk. Soon after a few minutes,
two more lights of the same kind emerge and all the three
enjoys altogether. After some time, all the three vanish at
their own places.
Another piece of writing mentioned in the book says, the son
of a lady named Bant Kaur once fell ill. His illness had made
him bedridden and he was about to die. His recovery seemed
impossible. Even the mother raised her hands and said to his
son to pray to his Jathere as they have done every little
effort to save him. Earlier the boy refused but her mother
pleaded before him and persuaded his son to pray. The boy
agreed and prayed. He promised to God that if he got well then
he would come over the Jathere; hoist a flag and will prepare
Langar for the Sangat from his income. His prayers were
answered and he fulfilled his saying.
One
day Dr. H.S.Chopra and others went to Jathere with a desire in
their hearts. They found Sr. Ratan Singh sitting on a charpoy.
They asked Sr. Ratan Singh hesitatedly if he could donate
another farm for Langar hall. Ratan Singh agreed and said if
they require more than this even then he is ready. Infact they
will keep a farm vacant for the Mela.
Once the parents of Dr. Sub. H.S.Chopra told him that Jathere
are really very powerful. The great saint of Chopra had prayed
for years on the place and expired. Now he shows his benign
presence only to a few of lucky persons.
One
day a Muslim named Nathu-Imam-Ul-Din saw him. People of his
village used to call him Chaudhary. He prayed to saint that if
he permits, he would like to dig a well as they lack water on
the place. The saint agreed but said that it would be of very
less use to them as the coming times will bring a drastic
change in the lives of people.
Nathu thought that like others he would also become famous and
people will remember him for years. So he brought Parats ( a
kind of utensil) full of sugar(shakkar) to dig the well. A
Maulvi read the Kalmas in front of Khawaja. A handful of sugar
was distributed among people.
The
material dug out was getting used in the construction of the
building. Suddenly, the work came to a stop in between. Nathu
became anguished that they are not putting their efforts. When
he himself looked into the well, he was completely astonished
to see the saint and heard him saying that his work would get
over only when he promise to light the Diyas on the place.
It
left Nathu utterly confused and upset. He went back home and
told his Begum about the incident. She advised him to go to
the Quazi as he would definitely resolve his problem. Both of
them narrated the incident to the Quazi. Quazi told Nathu that
he is lucky enough that Almighty has shown his benign presence
in form of a Hindu saint. Quazi told him very affectionately
that Peer and Faquirs have no religion. Infact, they fulfill
the desires of the person who comes to his doorsteps and bless
him with prosperity and happiness. He should also admit his
saying.
Nathu family approached at well. Begum also made Nathu think
once again. All of them were surprised to see the light in the
well.
Now
a name-plate is situated in the well with the following word
written on it:
"Bismillah-Ul-Rahman-Irahim
Chaudhary Nathu-Imam-Ul-Din
Tamir Karta Chah
Vakya Rakba Dhandour
Dated 21-4-1933
Mutabik 25 GI-Ul-Haj, 1351, Hijri
Mutabik 9 Vaisakh, 1989
Nadir Hussain Bhadur Hakimi
Muhammad Hussain
one who is not aspired to aspire
let that aspire be in aspire."
The
presence of people at the well joined their hands and prayed
to the Almighty to forgive their mistakes and let the well be
dug. On listening the sincere prayers of the Sangat, the saint
became happy and the well got dug. Nathu family and neighbors
distributed the Daliya of Khawaja Ali.
Next day the sweets were distributed and the well was started.
It raised the standard of Nathu in the village.
A
person named Churaag-Din, a resident of Dhandour village
became jealous of Nathu's name and fame. He turned up on the
well and pointed out that the well is half dug at his land.
Nathu pleaded to him that neither he should be lured by the
money and fame nor disturb anyone. It made Churaag angry and
he started hitting Nathu. People around saved Nathu. Churaag
went back home. Soon Nathu realized that Almighty had already
warned him that a drastic change will occur and it proved to
be true. India eas divided soon after. Muslims had to move to
Pakistan and Hindus were made to stay back in India. |