Gurudwara Maal Tekri – Nanded

Gurdwara Mal Tekri stands at the place of Guru Nanak's visit which is at 3 miles away in north east of the city of Nanded. A Muslim saint, Sayyad Shah Hussain used to stay at the place then. He was also known as Lakad Shah faquir. The grave of the saint, Sayyad Shah Hussain Lakad can be seen behind the Gurdwara. A legend told by the priest of Gurdwara Mal Tekri is as follows : 'A Muslim saint was in deep meditation in a thatched hut and occasionally prayed. "O Wali Peer Nanak! I have heard that you are a true representative of the Lord and redeem the strayed. I cannot reach you as I am unable to walk even; I have no sight in my eyes. People say that you can reach the hearts of others. If so, please do understand my feelings and come and redeem me without further delay". Guru Nanak reached him during his prayers. Guru Nanak asked him to open his eyes and see for himself as to who was present in front of him. The saint fell at the feet of the Guru and prayed, "O Great One, I am emancipated by your effulgent presence, hearing my prayers, this hut is blessed by your presence." Guru Nanak embraced him with affection and blessed him. "O saint! You have become like a log praying. Now your prayers are answered. Time will come when the people will come to the place where you have been meditating. This place will soon be known world over. You are quite old and unable to look after yourself. You must not do anything else except cleaning this place daily. You will get two ashrafees daily which shall meet your daily requirements." "Whatever you say is an order for me, O Nanak", said the saint and observed the daily cleaning ritual till he died after surviving for a long period. He was buried close-by and a Gurdwara came up at the place later." Gurudwara Maal Tekri Sahib dedicated to Guru Nanak Dev is northeast of Nanded and is linked to the Nanded-Akola road. Its road distance from Takhat Sahib is about five kilometres. Guru Nanak Dev is said to have held religious courses with a Muslim reclause Lakkad Shah at this spot called Maal Tilla or Chakri Maal. Lakkad Shah's grave is half a furlong away from the present Gurudwara. It is also said that Guru Gobind Singh discovered a hidden treasure here. It was taken to the site of the present Gurudwara Sangat Sahib in the town where the Guru distributed a part of it among his warriors and got the rest of it buried here again. The small Sikh Shrine existing here was demolished in 1928 by some Muslim fanatics who claimed the place as theirs. The matter was taken to the Nizam of Hyderabad, who ordered a judicial enquiry, as a result of which the Shrine was restored to the Sikhs in January,1930, and Gurudwara Mal Tekari Sahib was re-established. It comprises a single flat-roofed room with a curcumambylatory The Founder of the Sikh Religion, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji had visited this place during his journey to Sangla-Deep (known as Sri Lanka or Ceylon now-a-days). verandah. This Gurudwara is situated at a distance of about three miles from the Takht Sachkhand Sahib. The money, which the Tenth Guru distributed at Gurudwara Sangat Sahib, was dug out from this place.