Places in Amritsar where Shri Babaji Maharaj had resided.

Above is an old photo from around 1920 which shown the Amritsar Bazar area near the Golden Temple. from the times of Babaji Maharaj. Shri Babaji Maharaj and Shri Nathji used to stay and frequent the Amritsar Bazaar area in the walled city.  Bellow are the names and photos of four areas in  Amritsar were Babaji Maharaj used to stay – 

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He first stayed with Lala Gokul Chand Kapoor, a Cloth Merchant, in the bazaar. The Bazaar is located in the walled city close to the golden temple. A satellite photo and an actual photograph of the Bazar is given.

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Later he stayed at a house at Ramtalaayi. Ram Talayi is a Temple complex which includes a temple of Lord Ram and a holy pond. There residential area around the temple complex is also called Ramtaayi. Photos of the Temple complex and the Holy pond are given along with the satellite photo were we can see the pond.

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Then Babiji Maharaj shifted to Namak Mandi. This place has changes, from how it looked from the days of Babji Maharaj. It is no longer a trading market for Salt as it used to be. I have given the photograph of Namak Mandi Chock and also a satellite photo of the area.

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Later Babji Maharaj. went on to live with Lala Kaahan Chand Saheb Maheshwari who lived near the Jaure Peepal area. Lala Kaahan Chand was in great worldly difficulties at the time, and it was only the sustaining spiritual power of Shri Babaji Bhagwan that kept him at peace while these difficulties lasted, and then took him out of this difficult phase of life with ease. The flame of faith was kindled in the heart of Kaahan Chand. While the troubles had lasted, it was as if he had been walking in the hot sun, but Shri Babaji Bhagwan had placed a protecting umbrella over his head. Jaure Peepal area is named after an old Peepal tree which still stands today. Very few old timers of Amritsar only knew of this place. It is located near the famous Hindu Sabha College. The Hindu Sabha College, Amritsar was founded in 1924 and this old building is still preserved in its original condition. The Jaure Peepal is located in the maze of small lanes in this old part of the city near the college. My relative Dr. Sandeep Sharma did the research on the place and provided the photo of that exact Peepal tree, near the house of Lala Kaahan Chand. The photograph of the College and the satellite photo of the area is also given were we can also see the Golden temple.

Photograph of Nabha Estate in Shimla

This is the Photograph of Nabha Estate in Shimla were HH Babaji Maharaj stayed as a guest at the house of his friend Maharaja Hira Singh of Nabha. In 1887, the Maharaja purchased this five-and-a-half acre estate. He was constantly at head logs with Municipal Committee of Shimla over his supposedly unplanned development of the estate. To know more about the Nabha Estate and it's present status pls see this informative link “http://news.ukpha.org/2008/11/a-bit-of-nabha-in-shimla/”

Shimla

Shri Babaji Maharaj took job in Simla at the Army Recruitment Department of the British. He stayed here for many years. Shri Nathji had been to Shimla on several occasions. He also attended the wedding of the daughter of the sister of Maha Matashwari ji at Shimla.

 Shimla, is the capital city of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, located in northern India . In 1864, Shimla was declared as the summer capital of British India. After independence, city became the capital of Punjab and was later named the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla came into existence from 1st Sept,1972 on the reorganisation of the districts of the state. After the reorganisation, the erstwhile Mahasu district and its major portion was merged with Shimla. Its name has been derived from the goddess Shyamala Devi, an incarnation of the Hindu Goddess Kali..

As a large and growing city, Shimla is home to many well-recognized colleges and research institutions in India. City has a large number of temples and palaces. Shimla is also well noted for its buildings styled in Tudorbethan and neo-Gothic architecture dating from the colonial era.

The Jakhoo Temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman is located at the highest point in Shimla  at a height of 8000 ft. The Mall is the main shopping street of Shimla. It also has many restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, Post Offices and tourist offices. The Gaiety Theater is also situated there

Christ Church (Photo on the left) situated on the ridge, is the second oldest church in Northern India. It has a very majestic appearance and inside there are stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility.

The most notable colonial building of Shimla is the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. This institute is housed at the former Viceregal Lodge, built in 1884-88. (Photo on the right)

Batala

The city of Batala is the home town of Durga Devi, the mother of Shri Nathji. Babaji Maharaj who also inherited a large property from his inlaws famil,y was a very rich landlord of this city. This ancient city of Batala is a municipal council in Gurdaspur district in the state of Punjab, India. It is located about 30 kms from Gurdaspur, and 38 kms from Amritsar. The city was founded in 1465 CE by Raja Ram Deo, a Bhati Rajput, during the reign of Bahlul Lodi on a piece of land given by Tatar Khan who was the Governor of Lahore. Later, during the Mughal rule, Akbar gave it in jagir to his foster brother, Shamsher Khan. The city grew and developed under him. The whole city was lying within a fort. It had 12 gates as entrance and exit. These gates are still known by their old names e.g. Sheran wala Gate, Khajuri Gate, Bhandari Gate, Ohri Gate, Thathiari Gate, Hathi gate, Phari gate, etc

Batala is an important place for Sikh devotees. Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of the Sikh religion was married here to Sulakhni, the daughter of Mul Chand Chauna in 1485. Many temples and Gurdwaras related to the Guru's marriage attract devotees from near and far. Every year celebrations are conducted on the anniversary of Guru Nanak's marriage. Also it is an important place for Hindus as the most powerful god of Hindu culture Lord Shiva came here at Mandir Achleshwar Dham with 33 crore Devi and Devtas to make happy his son Kartike who was sad due to his loss of race from his brother and lord shiva's son ganesh. He was upset when Lord Ganesha circled his parents, Shiva and Paravati claiming to be the whole world, thus becoming victorious, while Lord Kartike actually went around the world. This temple also has a beautiful lake adjacent o it. (Photo of the temple and the lake is given)

Batala was once called as Iron bird of Asia as it produced highest amount of C.I.Casting, Agricultural and mechanical machinery. Batala is still one of the leading cities in northern India in maufacturing of C.I Casting and agricultural and mechanical machinery. It's an agricultural marketplace and industrial centre. Cotton ginning, weaving, sugar refining, rice milling, and manufacturing are some of other business taking place here.

 Among the historical places is thr The Jal Mahal and the palace of Maharaja Sher Singh were built by the Maharaja (CE 1780-1839). Also the tomb called Hazira.

 These are  under control of ASI. The palace of Maharaja Sher Singh reminds one of the love of rich architectural structures by Sikh rulers. This beautiful building with mud plastering was known to be part of Anarkali which was initially built along with Baradari as an imitation of Shalimar Garden of Lahore. The remnants of wall paintings and carvings can seen.

 Adjoining them is the beautiful Church of Batala Christian College.

The Kangra Devi

Shri Babaji Maharaj was born in Kangra. Before he was born, all the children that had been born to his parents had died one after another. Immediately after his birth, his parents had taken him to Kangra Devi Temple, and had placed the child before the idol of the Devi, offering the babe to the Devi, and had, thereafter, given him the name of Devi Das.

The Kangra Devi temple, also called the Brajeshwari Devi temple, located in the old Kangra Township, is said to have been built over the charred breasts of Sati. Thus it is one of the Shakti Peeths. This shrine, once renown for its great wealth, has been plundered relentlessly over the ages. The first of the plunderers was Mahmud of Ghazni, who looted it in 1009. A mosque was built on the ruins and a garrison was left behind. 35 years later, the local king regained its possession. The shrine was repaired and a replica of the idol was enshrined. 

The temple was filled with gold, silver and diamonds only to be ransacked again in 1360 by Firoz Tughlaq. Later Emperor Akbar visited the shrine with his Dewan, Todar Mal and restored it to its former grandeur. The temple was razed to the ground by an earthquake in 1905, but a new one came up the very same year and it’s construction compleated in 1920.

The Devi is worshipped in the form of Pindi. A legend avers that the body of demon king Jalandhara is buried at this place. According to another legend, the Goddess Vajreshwari received injuries while killing the demon Mahishasur which were cured by applying butter. The tradition is still celebrated on Makar Sakranti every year.

Vali Ram’s son Nandram

HH Babaji Maharaj has told the interesting story of Vali Ram who left the minister ship of Aurangzeb and later become a well – known sufi poet. Vali Ram’s son Nandram also become a spiritual poet and later joined the services of Guru Gobind Singh. One of his poems in Gurmukhi is titled Nand Pachisi describing Kaliyuga, the contemporary Age of Darkness, which was written in 1687. Bhagwan Bhola Nath Ji manifested as Yuga Avtar to end this age of Kaliyuga.

Duke of Windsor

Shri Nathji was always deeply moved by stories of Love. He used to narrate how Shri Babaji Maharaj was very pleased with the Duke of Windsor in England who gave up his throne for the love of a woman. Shri Babaji Maharaj always gave the highest possible status to women.

King Edward VIII (23 June 1894 – 28 May 1972) of England left his crown because he wanted to marry the women he loved and give her full status of a wife. King Edward VIII fell in love with Wallis Simpson (19 June 1896 – 24 April 1986) Edward became king when his father died in early 1936. Only months into his reign, he caused a constitutional crisis by proposing marriage to the American socialite Wallis Simpson, who had divorced her first husband, an American Naval Officer. In 1934, during her second marriage to Ernest Simpson, she allegedly became the mistress of Edward, Prince of Wales. Two years later, after Edward's accession as King, Wallis divorced her second husband and Edward proposed to her. The King's desire to marry a woman with two living ex-husbands threatened to cause great alarm in Britain and ultimately led to the King's abdication in December 1936 to marry "the woman I love". After the abdication, the former king was created Duke of Windsor by his brother Albert, who becomes king.  Edward married Wallis six months later, after which she was formally known as the Duchess of Windsor.

The Prime ministers of Britain and it’s colonial territories arguing that the people would never accept a divorced woman with two living ex-husbands as queen.  She was perceived by many in the British Empire as a woman of "limitless ambition", who was pursuing the King because of his wealth and position. Additionally, such a marriage would have conflicted with Edward's status as head of the Church of England, which opposed the remarriage of divorced people if their former spouses were still alive. Edward knew that the government led by British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin would resign if the marriage went ahead, which could have dragged the king into a general election and would ruin his status as a politically neutral constitutional monarch. Choosing not to end his relationship with Simpson, Edward abdicated. He was succeeded by his younger brother Albert. He said that he doesn’t wish to be a King who doesn’t has the power even to choose his own wife. Edward is perhaps the only example of a Monarch who left his thrown in order to marry a women of his love.

We can see the Beautiful movie – The King’s Speech which portrays how adamant King  Edward was to marry the women of his love.

Amritsar

Babaji Maharaj had a long association with Amritsar and stayed in the city for varios periods of time.

Historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar) is a city in the north-western part of India. It is the spiritual center for the Sikh religion and the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district in the state of Punjab.

Amritsar is one of the largest cities of the Punjab state in India. The city origin lays in the village of Tung, and was named after the lake founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). It could not be completed before 1588. In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to this place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das.)

Amritsar is dominated by the history of Sikhs and many of their sacred shrines are found in and around the city. Amritsar's central walled city has narrow streets mostly developed in the 17th and 18th century. The city is a peculiar example of an introverted planning system with unique areas called Katras. The Katras are self styled residential units that provided unique defence system during attacks on the city.

It is home to the Harmandir Sahib, referred to as the "Golden Temple", the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. Ot's photograph is given on the top. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on week days alone and is the most popular destination for Non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India. The city also houses the Sikh temporal and political authority, Akal Takht, as well as the Sikh Parliament. Below is the aerial photograph of the walled city of Amritsar. It is this old part of the city were Shri Babaji Maharaj and Shri Nathji stayed and traveled, during there days in Amritsar.

Sabji Mandi, Amritsar

Chaudhary Navi Bax was a distributor of vegetables and fruit in the market known as Sabzi Mandi, and when he heard of Shri Babaji Bhagwan showering his divine pearls in Amritsar he came for his darshan, and was at once overwhelmed by Shri Babaji Bhagwan, becoming his, forever.

The old Sabji Mandi of Amritsar used to be located opposite the Hall Gate. So Sabji Mandi was outside this gate and by entering the Hall gate one reaches the famous shopping area know an Hall Bazzar. This Sabji Madhi has long been relocated and now this has become prime property in the heart of the city. This is the photograph of the Hall Gate, opposite, which the Old Sabji Mandi was located. Now this gate is known by the name  - Gandi Gate. There is now a sign board in Punjabi on to of of this gave which reads – “ Sri Amrisar Sifti Da Ghar” Which means Amritsar, the Land of Values.

Lahore

Babaji Maharaj, Shri Nathji and Mahamateshwariji had a long association with Lahore. This is the city were Shri Nathji was married to Maha Mateshwariji. This is also the city were HH Pran Nathji was born.

Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich history dating back over a millennium, Lahore is a main cultural centre of Pakistan. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains an economic, political, transportation, entertainment, and educational hub.

  Lahore was known in ancient times as Lavapuri ("City of Lava" in Sanskrit), was founded by Prince Lava or Loh, the son of Rama, the Hindu deity, while Kasur was founded by his twin brother Prince Kusha. To this day, Lahore Fort has a vacant temple dedicated to Lava (also pronounced Loh, hence Loh-awar or "The Fort of Loh" Lahore successively served as a regional capital of the empires of the Shahi kingdoms in the 11th century, the Ghaznavids in the 12th century, the Ghurid State in the 12th and 13th centuries and the Mughal Empire in the 16th century. From 1802 to 1849, Lahore served as the capital city of the Sikh Empire. In the mid 19th and early 20th century, Lahore was the capital of the Punjab region under the British Raj. 

The traditional capital of Punjab for a thousand years, Lahore was the cultural center of the northern Indian subcontinent which extends from the eastern banks of the Indus River to New Delhi. During the times of Babaji Maharaj. Lahore was the most important city India North of Delhi and was the political, cultural and social nerve centre of Punjab. In photograph are the impotent landmarks of present day Lahore and aerial photograph of the walled city.

Kangra - The Birth Place of Babaji Maharaj

Shri Babaji Maharaj was born as Shri Devi Das Mehta in Kangra on the 20th of January 1867 at 11:15 p.m. in the night

Kangra is an ancient and importent city in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Historically it was known as Nagarkot and "Trigarta" It is famous for the Kangra Devi temple of Shri Bajreshwari Devi.

The town of Kangra was founded by Katoch Kshatriya Rajputs of Chandervanshi Lineage . The Katoch Rajas had a stronghold here, with a fort and rich temples. The Kangra Fort is the largest fort in the Himalayas and probably the oldest dated fort in India. Mahmud of Ghazni took the fort in 1009 and from one of the temples carried off a vast treasure. In 1360 Kangra was again plundered, by Feroz Shah Tughluq. The temple of Devi Vajreshwari was one of the oldest and wealthiest in northern India. It was destroyed, together with the fort and the town, by 1905 Kangra earthquake on the 4 April 1905.

Kangra was also occupied by the Gurkhas and made it a part of Greater Nepal.  Maharaja of Punjab, Ranjit Singh was the conquerer of Kangra Fort in 1809. It remained in the hands of the Sikhs till 1846 when it was made over to the British Government, along with the surrounding hills.

Kangra was merged in India in 1948 by the then titled Raja of Kangra-Lambagraon namely Raja Druv Dev Chand Katoch. It was part of composite Punjab till November 1966 when it got transferred to Himachal Pradesh.

The British introduced Tea cultivation was introduced into Kangra valley about 1850. Tea cultivated here is of a particular taste which is different from Assam tea. There is a photograph of a tea garden in Kangra. There is the photograph of the Kangra fort and the Arial photograph of Kangra Valley.

Dinanagar

This is the Home town of Shri Babaji Maharaj. Shri Devi Das Mehta had a lot of property in the town of Dinanagar near Batala. He was a millionaire landowner of Dinanagar and had owned hawelies and entire Bazaars.

 Dinanagar town is situated about 14 Kms North-East of Gurdaspur.  It takes its name after Dina Beigh, one of Akbar's loyalists to whom the emperor granted Jagirs ( big land holdings ) in this area. The town came up during Akbar's regime and old buildings, bazaars and walled portion of the town and its gates are a witness to all this.

The city walls were basically made by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. There are six darwajas (gates) for city. (A photograph of the city wall and one of its preserving gates is given here.) Dinanagar was a favourite summer resort of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Dinanagar was one centre where Maharaja Ranjit Singh usally held his Durbar during the summer. It was the summer capital of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He spent two months of May & June every year at Dinanagar. It was at Dinanagar that in May 1838 he received the Macnaghten Mission which negotiated the proposed alliance for placing Shah Shuja on the throne of Kabul. 

After annexation of Punjab to the British territory on 29th March 1849, a new district was constituted with Dinanagar as its Head quarters. Gurdaspur Tehsil, a greater portion of Batala Tehsil and 181 villages of Pathankot Tehsil were included in the Dinanagar district .  Thus is times of Lala Hargopal – The father of Babaji Maharaj, Dina Nagar was a very prosperous trading town.

Swami Sawtantra Nand founded Dayanand Math here in 1938 an institution which became a centre of learning and Ayurveda. In the course of time Dinanagar has been known for its Loi, Shawl and wood industries. A number of conduit pipe manufacturing units have been set up here after 1947. Present day Dina Nagar is spread over 14.36 sq.km. A photograph is given of a main road of the present day city of Dinanagar.

YMCA Hall, Lahore

 This is the photo of the YMCA Hall in Lahore.Shri Nathji observed the birthday of Shri Babaji Maharaj on  January 21, 1945 at YMCA Hall in Lahore. Shri Nathji  gave a stunning lecture at the YMCA Hall on that occasion.

This is photo shows the front face of the YMCA hall which is in the YMCA building. We can also see in the photograph a restaurant run by YMCA, next to the hall. In the satellite photograph bellow we can see the complete profile of the large corner building. The building also houses a  youth hostel.  Young tourists go there to stay at very reasonable rates. Some parts of the building it seems has been rented out to shop keepers. The small Christan community of Lahore still celebrates Christmas at YMCA Hall.

YMCA in Lahore was established in 1876 but this building, like many others of its time, was built after 1887 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, an event marked by the construction of clock towers and monuments all over British India. From 1928 to 1934, the building hosted the first radio broadcasting of Punjab, Sind, Baluchistan and North West Frontier Provinces. (This we can say – the first radio broadcasting station of Pakistan before independence.)

Its premises also houses the famous Pak Tea House. Before Partition, Pak Tea House was known as India Tea House and a Sikh family ran it. After Partition, Siraj-ud-Din rented it from the YMCA administration and renamed it Pak Tea House. From 1960 to the early 1970s, meetings of Halqa-i-Arbab-e-Zouq were held in the YMCA building,A few years ago, it was shut down by its owner due to lack of business, a decision criticized by the intellectual community of Lahore. But on February 2, 2012 on the orders of the Lahore commissioner, Pak Tea House was put under the control of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). 

The building is located at the Mall Road. Now renamed as Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam. It is located near to the Anarkali area which had the residence of Mahamateshwari’s father Lala Hargopal.

The above photo shows Shri Nathji after lecture on Shri Babaji’s Birthday at YMCA Hall, Lahore, January 21, 1945

Same Row as Shri Nathji: (L to R) Mateshwari, Mrs. R.R. Khanna, Mrs. Charan Das, Veeran Devi, Mata Tara Devi

In front of Shri Nathji: Pran Nath and Priya Nath. In front of Mrs. Charan Das: Vijay Kapahi son of Shri Charan Das

On The Ground: Shri Dwarka Singh (in dark glasses)

First Row above Shri Nathji: (L to R): Shri Sant Ram Khanna

Third Row above Shri Nathji  (L to R):  1st Bakshilal Ahuja, 2nd R.R.Khanna, 3rd Sohan Lal, 5th Sri Krishen Khanna

Fourth Row above Shri Nathji: (L to R) 4th Sahadeva Tayal

Allhabad Bank, Meerut where Babaji Maharaj's Birthday was celebrated.

Shri Nathji was staying with His family at Wheeler Club in Meerut in 1957 for the winter months. The birthday of Shri Babaji Maharaj was celebrated by Shri Nathji at Meerut that year. A hall was booked at the Allahabad Bank premises where the Manager had developed a great respect for Shri Nathji.

This is the photograph of the building of Allhabad Bank in Meerut. It is located at the Mall Road Meerut Cantonment. It was build in the year 1908.This heritage building is still used by the bank and is maintained in its original condition.

Raabiya Basri

This is the Persian Miniature painting of Raabiya Basri. HH Sree Babaji Maharaj tells her story how she use to live peacefully among the birds in the forest, who used to love and flutter around her. But when a Faqueer came to meet her, they flew away in fear. She explained that it is because you are a meat eater you have an inherent nature to harm them which is picked by these birds. She was herself a vegetarian the birds see only inherent love in the depths of my heart.
Now the interesting thing. As HH Babaji Maharaj had told her story and advocated her being a vegetarian, I was not surprised that she is considered among the principle advocators of Vegetarianism in the ancient world and the only person from Iran to have made it to the List of Vegetarians “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_vegetarians.” This is a list of notable people who have claimed or been reported to have adhered to a vegetarian diet at propagated it at some point during their life. One can see her name at – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Andomedium/List_of_vegetarians/country#Iran
To know more about her life and teaching one can read the book by Margaret Smith
Rabi'a the Mystic and Her Fellow-Saints in Islam. For a brief overview pls see link – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabia_Basri

Jammu

 Shri Babaji Maharaj and Shri Nathji stayed in Jammu for some time. Shri Babaji Bhagwan chose to lead a life of great austerity and physical hardship. Despite the invitation of the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir to live with him, Shri Babaji Bhagwan preferred to live in a cave at Jammu where multitudes thronged to him. Jammu, officially called Jammu-Tawi, is the largest city in Jammu and Kashmir and the winter capital of the state. Jammu is also known as "City of Temples" as it has many temples and shrines, with glittering shikhars soaring into the sky, which dot the city’s skyline, creating the ambiance of a holy and peaceful Hindu city.

 Jammu was founded by Raja Jambu Lochan in the 14th century BC. During one of his hunting campaigns, he reached the Tawi River where he saw a goat and a lion drinking water at the same place. Having satisfied their thirst, the animals went their own ways. The Raja was amazed, abandoned the idea of hunting and returned to his companions. Recounting what he had seen, he exclaimed that this place, where a lion and a lamb could drink water side by side, was a place of peace and tranquillity, thus he build his capital here.

There are many interesting places to see in Jammu like the Bahu Fort, which also serves as a religious temple, The Bagh-E-Bahu located on the banks of Tawi river, is a Mughal-age garden. It gives a nice view of the old city and Tawi river. Amongst the temples in Jammu, the Raghunath Temple takes pride of place being situated right in the heart of the city. This temple is situated at the city center and was built in 1857. This is a grand temple. The inner walls of the main temple are covered with gold sheet on three sides. The adjoining, Ragunath Bazar is the main tourist and shopping center of the city. It has two beautiful palaces, the Mubarak Mandi Palace and the Amar Mahal Palace, which is now a Museum. The photograph above is an Arial photo of modern day Jammu. On top is the photo showing the city of Jammu on banks of the Tawi river.

Kangra Earthquake

One morning Shri Babaji Maharaj was going to the office when a large group of his admirers came to him. An earthquake had shaken the district of Kangra.
They said to him: “Maharaj! Please pray that such an earthquake may never come again! It was a horrible day! People were afraid for their lives. 
“Yes, but it was a strange scene. Yesterday when the earthquake was in progress, people were calling out to their gods to come and save them. The Hindus were saying ‘Ram! Ram!' The Muslims were saying 'Allah! Allah!' and the Sikhs were saying 'Wahguru! Wahguru!' The Christians were saying  ‘Christ! Christ!' But now that the earthquake is over, the name of God has vanished, people are once again talking about the usual petty things of the world!"Shri Babaji Maharaj listened patiently to the group and then said:"Let us all come together and pray to God: ‘O Lord! Please let this earthquake remain forever!"The people were astounded to hear these words.
"Maharaj! What are you saying! We could not bear even one moment of the earthquake, how will we be able to bear an earthquake that lasts forever!"Shri Babaji Maharaj said:
"We have not to see what is bearable and what is unbearable, we have not to see what brings life and what brings death; we have only to accept that, which keeps His remembrance always alive in our hearts!

"You have just been saying that for as long as the earthquake lasted, people were calling out to God–the Hindus to Ram the Muslims to Allah, the Sikhs to Wahguru, and the Christians to Christ–and the moment the earthquake subsided, people forgot God altogether and began focussing their attention once again on the things of the world. 

1905 Kangra earthquake was a major earthquake that occurred in the Kangra Valley and the Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh in India on 4 April 1905. It’s Epicentre was 3.9 kilometers south of Pathyar (H.P.), India. Latitude: 32.10o N  Longitude: 76.40o E. The earthquake measured 7.8 on the surface wave magnitude scale Records of the Punjab government show that out of a population of 375,000 in that region, more than 20,000 people perished in this tragic event. 53,000 domestic animals were also lost. There was also major damage to the network of hillside aqueducts that fed water to the affected area. The total cost of recovering from the effects of the earthquake were calculated as 2.9 million (1905) rupees. As many as 100,000 buildings were reported to have been demolished by the earthquake. Apart from this most buildings in towns of Kangra, Mcleodganj and Dharamshala were destroyed. Damage also extended into the Dehradun area. Landslides and rockfalls occurred in the region. Damage was also reported from many large cities in the Punjab, like Amritsar, Lahore, Jullunder and Ludhiana. Felt over much of the northern sub-continent, as far east as Kolkata. These Photos of 1905 earth quake by Karl V. Steinbrugge, show the extensive damage to the Barjeshwari Devi temple at Kangra - Above and Palampur Market - bellow.

Maharaja Hira Singh of Nabha

 

Of all the preserved photographs of Maharaja Hira Singh of Nabha I like these two best as they show a mystical glow on his face as of a man who has the understanding of Godhead. These are of his old age, around the time he was in the divine association of Babaji Maharaj. He was a friend of HH Babaji Maharaj who had the good fortune to leave his mortal frame in His divine presence. Babaji Maharaj wrote the Nabha Manuscript for Maharaja Hira Singh, in which he explained how a king should rule his subjects.Maharaja Hira Singh was not born as a prince. Maharaja Bhagwan Singh who earlier ruled Nabha from 1864–1871, died without an heir. According to tradition, Hira Singh a distant relative in a village neighboring  Nabha was decided upon as the next in line according to the Maharaja of Patiala and Jind. Maharaja Hira Singh  then become king and ruled from 1871-1911. He was honoured with G.C.S.I. and G.C.I.I. titles by British. His only son was Maharaja Ripudman Singh became ruler in 1912 after Maharaja Hira Singh.