This is what the Matis looked like in the early 1900. There are no photos of such a site but the information has been gathered from various source to give sanget the idea so they can relate to what they would look like. The Mati’s (middle of photo) were not built too far from the Khoo (left of photo. It was surrounded by lots of trees and the Chana family used the land to grow seasonal crops, such as, sugar cane, wheat and corn. The “Bari” tree was situated to the right hand side of the Mati’s and had sweet “Ber” fruit which is readily available now. The original tree was called “Lasoda” or more common called “Lasotri” fruit tree.
This is the same location as above but both the Beri, the Matis and the Khoo were built within a place of worship. The 3rd Mati – small one closest to the left was built later- refer to the text opposite on the details of the 3 Matis. The Beri seen to the right of the building and the entrance to the Matis are behind the double door. The Mati’s are place lower in ground level compared to the Guru Granth Shahib in the Gurdwara next door for obvious reasons that nothing is “higher” or more “Devine” than the Guru Granth Shabib.
In the early 1930’s, the Khoo and the Matis were given a permanent building for local families and friends to come to pray and worship – it was named Gurdwara Shahid Asthan.
The three “Mati’s are:
- Large “Mati” in the corner belongs to Baba Phiroo.
- To the right of Baba Phiroo’s Mati is a Mati belonging to Bibi Mano who died at an early age of 10 in around 1842. Bibi Mano also appeared spiritually to several relatives and asked that a similar Mati be built for her next to Baba Phiroo.
- The Mati to the left of Baba Phiroo belongs to Sant. Baba Phiroo followed the worships of his father Manohar Singh who used the light the Dewa for the Sant at their home. IN around 1941, the Sant appeared spiritually to Bhagwan Singh and asked if his Dewa could be lit also at the Baba Shahid, It was during this period Sant’s Mati was built.
The Gurdwara is renowned to give those gifts that people desire through those who believe in Baba Shahid Asthan from the bottom of their heart.
The images shown below were taken in 1990- from left to right. The “piple tree” which is cut down in early 1993 to allow the Gurdwara to be built so that it would not undermine the foundations of the new Gurdwara. Because the “piple tree” as part of the scared ground, nobody from the Chana family wanted to cut the tree, until, Mr. Piara Singh Channa, started a discussion around getting someone religious to pray and cut the tree down. The tree logs were sold and the donations went to the Gurdwara. Just to the right of the “piple tree” is the Khoo and moving far right near the Dome are the Matis and you can just about see the “Beri” tree.
The photograph below shows the Beri tree and the entrance to the Mati’s behind the bi-folding doors. The new Gurdwara was started in early 2000 from the donations from the UK and Indian Committee. The current cost is estimated at around £130,000. This photo shows that the ground level of the Mati’s is lower than that of the Granth Shahib. The Beri today produces so may many sweet bers and it’s just unimaginable.
The images shown below were taken in 1990- from left to right. The “piple tree” which is cut down in early 1993 to allow the Gurdwara to be built so that it would not undermine the foundations of the new Gurdwara. Because the “piple tree” as part of the scared ground, nobody from the Chana family wanted to cut the tree, until, Mr. Piara Singh Channa, started a discussion around getting someone religious to pray and cut the tree down. The tree logs were sold and the donations went to the Gurdwara. Just to the right of the “piple tree” is the Khoo and moving far right near the Dome are the Matis and you can just about see the “Beri” tree.
The photograph below shows the Beri tree and the entrance to the Mati’s behind the bi-folding doors. The new Gurdwara was started in early 2000 from the donations from the UK and Indian Committee. The current cost is estimated at around £130,000. This photo shows that the ground level of the Mati’s is lower than that of the Granth Shahib. The Beri today produces so may many sweet bers and it’s just unimaginable.
In 2019 Mr. Charan Singh Chana from Worthing gave instructions to Granthi Thuman Singh to cover the Khoo and convert it to a meditation room. Granthi Thuman Singh used the donations given by Mr. Charan Singh Chana and built this without any consultation with the Indian and UK Committee. The original idea of both UK and Indian Committee was to revive the original structure, cover it with glass dome so that future generations could relate to it. The current photos of the Khoo are shown below:
These 3 photos show the current converted Khoo to a meditation room. Top left shows the exterior of the Khoo has been covered by a concrete slab and tiles. The top right shows the stairs leading to the meditation room.
The photo on the left shows the inside of the meditation room, fully tiled from floor to ceiling with a single “Manja” (bed) for someone to make themselves comfortable.
There is insufficient data to share at the moment regarding the usage of this resource but we will keep it updated.
