Bhai Shalo ji

It’s very important to know the details of key personalities involved in the development and construction of  Sri Harimandir Sahib and the Sarover. 

Bhai Shalo ji: Sewadar during the construction of Sri Harimandir Sahib 

Bhai Shalo Ji, was a well known and important Sikh during the times of Guru Ram Das Ji, Guru Arjan Sahib Ji, and Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji.

Bhai Shalo was born on 29th September 1554, in the village of Daula Kingra, Muktsar Sahib district of Punjab, to Bhai Dyala Ji and Mata Sukhdei Ji. The family were a Dhaliwal jat family of the Malwa region of Punjab.

History

Bhai Shalo's parents were originally followers of Pir Sakhi Sarwar (Sultanias). After having Darshan of Guru Ram Das Ji (1574-1581) Bhai Shalo's parents became Sikhs.

Bhai Shalo's parents migrated to village Majitha, located in Amritsar District of Punjab, where they settled. But Bhai Shalo who was then a young youth, stayed at Amritsar, then known as Guru Ka Chak, with Guru Ram Das ji. Bhai Shalo would carry out selfless service (sewa) and meditation (simran).

The Sikh sangat, from Lahore, visiting Guru ji in Amritsar would stop at the dharamsal of Bhai Shalo. Guru Arjan Sahib Ji himself visited Bhai Shalo's dharamsal many times, showing the affection which Guru ji had for his gursikhs.

In 1589, Bhai Shalo attended the wedding of Guru Arjan Sahib Ji to Mata Ganga Ji, at Gurdwara Sri Mao Sahib, with many other great gursikhs. And Bhai Shalo also attended the wedding of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, in circa 1605. Bhai Shalo Ji re-joined with God in the year 1628, at the age of 74. He was cremated at village Behla, District Tarn Taran. 

Gurdwara Bhai Shalo Da Tobha is located near Gurdwara Guru Ka Mahal, where the Ninth Sikh Guru was born and Qila Lohgarh Sahib, in the City of Amritsar. The building of the Gurdwara dates back to the Sikh era, during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh 1799-1839, its architectural designs are typical of Ranjit Singh's era.

Bhai Shalo's Great Sewa

For the establishment of Amritsar, Bhai Shalo Ji brought traders and workers of 52 castes and settled here. Guru Arjan Sahib Ji was delighted to know this and gave charge of the city to Bhai Sahib.

For strengthening and renovating of the Sarovar, fuel was required for the kiln. Bhai Sahib went to many villages like Pandori Waraich etc and encouraged people to donate fuel (with bio fuel like dung cakes, firewood, agri-residue etc).

Many people gave donations and Bhai Sahib bought carts full of fuel. Guru Arjan Sahib Ji was pleased with Bhai Sahib and stated the person who would bath, with heart and soul, in Bhai Shalo's pond (tobha) they would be blessed with a son and weak children who would bath in it would become healthy.

-Sikh Diaspora