Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Janam Astan Guru Nanak Dev ji

This shrine representing the home of Baba Kalu and Mata Tripta, father and mother respectively of Guru Nanak Dev ji, where the Guru was born, was establishjed by Baba Dharam Chand (1523-1618) son of Baba Lakhmi Das and grandson of Guru Nanak Dev. The shrine must have been established before the end of the sixteenth century because Guru Arjan Dev is believed to have visited it. Its present building comprising a square, domed sanctum with a rectangular pavilion attached to it within a vast walled compound was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Several other buildings were added after the S.G.P.C took over control on February 21, 1921. The traditional fair celebrate birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev continued with great eclat upto 1946, but since 1947 it has been a tame affair. In the beginning, the Pakistan government had permitted 15 Sikhs to stay at Nankana Sahib to carry out routine services at the shrine, but their number was reduced to a bare five in 1968 and still later to a solitary Granthi who maintains a token attendance with the help of some Sahajdhari (unbaptised ) Sindhi Sikhs. Thrice a year, on Baisakhi (april), death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (june), and birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev (november), Pakistan government allows Sikh jathas, a few hundred strong each, to visit this and other shrines at Nanakana Sahib, Panja Sahib, and Lahore.