Field guides / Khyber Pakhtunkhwa / Mansehra / Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi, Bala Kot
Field guide · Heritage
Mansehra
Mansehra District · Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi, Bala Kot
The Bala Pir platform in Hazara, where Bhai Bala stayed on to preach after Guru Nanak's visit.
Three springs are named for Bala Pir, Baba Mardana and Baba Nanak; one is inside the shrine. Before 1947 the Bhai Sahib came from Mansehra every Sunday to lead prayers, and an annual festival is now held here by local Muslims.
Why go
- ✦Where Bhai Bala stayed on to preach after Guru Nanak's visit
- ✦Three springs named for Bala Pir, Baba Mardana and Baba Nanak
- ✦An annual festival now held here by local Muslims
History
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 people, 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 the 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.
Planning tip
Best Time to Visit, April–May or September–November. Balakot has one of Pakistan's wettest monsoons (July averages about 384 mm) and cold winters. The spring called Bala Pir da Chashma is inside the shrine, and an annual festival is held here by local Muslims.
Getting there, In Bala Kot, tehsil Mansehra, Hazara; the Bala Pir spring is inside the shrine and the other two springs are about half a kilometre away in the settlement.
What to Do
Nearby
Straight-line distance from Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi, Bala Kot, within 5 km.
