Gurudwara Sri Mar Jiwala Sahib, Tanda

Gurdwara Sri Mar Jiwala Sahib, Tanda

Gurudwara Mar Jiwala Sahib is a historical site associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The name “Mar Jiwala” — meaning “one who gives death and restores life” — reflects a profound event that took place here during Guru Sahib’s travels.

According to tradition, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, at the humble request of Bhai Hara Ji, assumed the form of a young child. During this time, he was captured by a Ruhela Pathaan involved in child trafficking and sold to a merchant. The merchant tasked the disguised Guru Sahib with grazing sheep. Guru Sahib warned the merchant that any sheep he touched with his stick would die. When the merchant insisted on testing this claim, a sheep indeed died. Yet, upon Guru Sahib touching it again, the sheep was miraculously revived.

This divine act became a powerful lesson in faith and conveyed a strong message against human exploitation. The Gurudwara stands at the spot where this miraculous event is believed to have occurred, commemorating Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings on compassion, justice and the will of the Divine.

How to Reach

Gurudwara Shri Mar Jiwala Sahib is located in the town of Tanda, near Kicha, in the Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand. The site is accessible from Rudrapur, the district headquarters and other nearby towns.

By Road: Tanda is well-connected by a network of local and state highways. Regular bus services and private taxis are available from nearby towns like Rudrapur and Kicha. The journey is smooth and scenic, taking a few hours depending on your starting point.
By Train: The nearest railway stations are Rudrapur City (RUPC) and Lalkuan (LKU). From either station, you can hire a taxi or take local transportation to reach Tanda.
By Air: The closest airport is Pantnagar Airport (PGH), located around 30–40 km away. From the airport, taxis are readily available. Alternatively, travelers from farther regions can fly into Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (DEL) and continue their journey by train or road.

Before setting out, it’s recommended to check the current transportation schedules and availability based on your location.