Gurudwara Pehli Patshahi at Bala Kot Distt Hazara

Bala Kot is a historical town in tehsil Mansehra of district Hazara. When Sat Gur Nanak Dev Ji came here for the emancipation of the eople, Bhai Bala Ji stayed back for some time to preach Sikhism. There are three springs at this pace now. One is inside the precinct of tjie Shrine and is known as Bala Pir da Chashma (spring of Bala Pir).

The other two springs are inside the settlement about half a kilometer from the Shrine. One of these is popular by the name of Babe Mardane da Chashma and the other goes by the name of Babe Nanak da Chashma. People of the area call this platform as "Bala Pir" ii da Thara. Even today thousands of people come to pay their homage. Before independence Bhai Sahib used to come here from Mansehra every Sunday to lead the prayers. A large number of Sikh followers used to congregate. Now Muslims hold a festival once every year. Bhai Bala, one of the two trusted companions of Guru Nanak, the other being Bhai Mardana. The story goes that Nanak, Mardana and Bala arrived at this place to spread their message. While Nanak and Mardana moved on, Bala stayed back for a time to continue preaching. In later years, Nanak’s devotees built a shrine to commemorate the guru’s visit to what came to be known as Bhai Bala Ka Baithak. There was a small plinth here once, meant to symbolise Bala’s seat.