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  History of Chopra Jathere

     
 
     
 
     
 
     

 

 

HISTORY OF CHOPRA JATHERE

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:

  1. Sh. Sadhu Ram Chopra, village Reru, Jalandhar was appointed as President.

  2. Mistry Ratan Chand Chopra, village Ramnagar Chomon, Distt. Jalandhar was to serve as a Mahant and Cashier.

  3. Sub. Hazaara Singh Chopra, village Chakk Raju Singh, Distt. Hoshiarpur was appointed as Granthi and Convenor.

  4. Sh. Kamal Chopra, village Jandu Singha, Jalandhar was appointed as Cashier.

  5. 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.

 

 

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