Gurudwara Sri Achal Sahib – Batala

This Gurdwara is situated on the boundary of Chahal and Salho Villages about 8km South of Batala City on Batala-Jalandhar road. The First Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited this place alongwith his disciples on Shivratri Festival. At this place Siddh-Yogies used to reside. When Guru Nanak Dev Ji arrived, people rushed to have a glimpse of Guru Ji and touched his feet. This created jealousy in the hearts of Yogies and they with their leader Bhagar Nath came to have discussions with Guru Ji. Guru Ji asked Bhangar Nath, "You have renounced the World, but you go to the houses of the people to beg food, how can you be superior to those people?" Bhangar Nath instead of replying, tried to show miracles but lost his powers. Bhangar Nath realised that Guru Ji had Great Powers. All the Yogies fell on Guru Ji's Feet. Guru Ji asked people to remember and recite the name of the God. Guru Ji planted a Datan (a Twig of a Kikkar tree) at this place. People said that it is a thorny tree. Guru Ji asked ,"Which tree do you want?" People said, "We want some fruit tree". Guru Ji said, "It will grow into a Beri Tree and would bear fruits for 12 Months in the Year". That tree is present inside the Gurdwara Complex. When Sixth Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Hargobind sahib Ji visited Batala for the marriage ceremony of his eldest son, Baba Gurditta Ji, he came to this place. Guru ji got an eight cornered well dug up which is situated in front of the main gate of the Gurdwara. Gurdwara Achal Sahib is situated on the Batala--Baba Bakala road. Achal Batala has been the most important centre of Nathpanthi yogis during the Mughal rule. Guru Nanak came to this place on Shivratri festival along with his disciples. As soon as Guru Nanak reached the place, people gathered around him to touch his feet. This created jealousy and bitterness in the hearts of yogis, as people paid much attention to the Guru and ignored them outright. This was too much for yogis to tolerate. Feeling that Guru Nanak was an intruder to their sacred place to win over their disciples, their leader Bhangar Nath had a bitter debate with the great Guru. Guru Nanak told the yogi that he was a hypocrite. Though outwardly he had renounced the world being a recluse, yet he goes to the houses of the worldly people to beg his food. He questioned, "In what way' you are superior to those at whose door you beg your daily meal? What do you give them in return" Instead of replying,, the Yogi started showing miracle of black magic and occult powers. But Guru Nanak was not impressed by his magic tricks. It so happened that yogi lost the power to show his miracle in the presence of the Guru. He realised that some superior power had taken the wind out of sail. The Yogi came to Nanak, calm and bewildered. Guru told him that all these magic tricks would be insignificant compared to the love and grace of God. Gurudwara Achal Sahib stands on the spot where Guru Nanak had discussion with Yogi Bhangar Nath.