Baba Gajjuji Thapar Shrine, Ludhiana, Punjab India

A three-century-old shrine of Baba Gajjuji Thapar located in Gurdev Nagar here in Ludhiana is not only a symbol of religious devotion but also of immense historical significance. For, it throws light on the strong attraction of the city that, even way back in the 18th century, pulled scores of migrants as far as from Kabul in Afghanistan to come and settle here in the land of plenty. With the Sutlej River flowing nearby, the place had attracted several civilizations to live here. Excavation found at Sanghol and Sunet, near here, also establish the charm of the place to the migrants.

According to the literature available on the shrine, it is believed that a charismatic personality was born in the Thapar clan. The saint who later came to be known as Baba Gajjuji performed miracles during his teenage years. Considering his miracles to be a nuisance, on the day of Amavasya of Bhadon his mother reprimanded him and asked him to vanish. Upon this, the babaji immediately merged himself into mother earth forever. It was the bricks and soils of this place, which the Thapars carried with them wherever they migrated before setting permanently at this place and erected a monument here.

For the last three centuries the monument had remained intact. Soon the devotees not belonging to the family alone also began converging at the place.

From a domed and octagonal shrine with dilapidated parikarma and corridor, the shrine has now been renovated. According to Dr Vijay Kumar Thapar, President of the managing committee of the shrine, they have further plans of renovating the shrine, which for them is not only a symbol of worship but also the hard work done by the forefathers to bring prosperity to the region. The shrine also stands as a remnant of the roots of the clan.

Every year on the day of Amavasya of Bhadon, which invariably falls in the month of August, a large number of devotees, including some 600 families of the Thapars converge at the place to remember their forefathers. The day presents a unique chance for the family members to assemble at one place.