Patna Sahib is a very ancient, eventful historic town of India. Now the capital of Bihar, it can rightly be proud of its glorious past, more so because of the birthplace of Sri Guru Gobind Singh, the Tenth Guru of Sikh religion.

According to historians almost two thousand years after Lord Buddha, Guru Nanak visited Patliputra, during his first journey to the East, in the beginning of Sixteenth century. There were 64 gates and 670 towers protected by moat and wooden walls. Guru Nanak entered Patna through the western gate and stayed at Bhagat Jaitamal’s House now Gurudwara Gai Ghat.

Salis Rai Johri a middle aged Jeweler of Patna City was influenced by the divine personality of Guru Nanak, through his follower Mardana, requested Guruji to sanctify his home. Salis Rai Johri was also a man of religious and poetical bent of mind.

Due to his true devotion Guru Nanak accepted his request and stayed for about four months at Salis Rai’s house. A congregational center was established and people of locality used to attend it daily in the morning and evening. At the time of Guru Nanak’s departure, Salis Rai Johri’s trustee servant Adhraka by name was appointed as head of this congregational center with the purpose to continue the propagation of Guru Nanak’s mission.

Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth guru of Sikh religion, along with his family members started a preaching tour to the East. In the beginning of 1666 A.D. he reached Patna and stayed at Jaitamal’s house where Guru Nanak had made a center. The fourth successor of Salis Rai Johri’s Sangat (Center) namely Ghanshyam the great grandson of Adhraka was also ambitious to get blessing from the ninth successor of Guru Nanak. When he heard of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s visit to Patna, he brought Guru’s family in a procession from Jaitamal’s House to Salis Rai Johri’s sangat. (Now the birthplace of Sri Guru Gobind Singh called Takhat Sri Harmandirji).

When Guru Tegh Bahadur arrived at Allahabad, with the will of God, the spirit and light of Guru Gobind Singh had descended and manifested itself in mother’s womb. Mata Gujri had conceived this great son of God namely (Guru) Gobind Singh. Guru Tegh Bahadur while leaving his family at Patna proceeded on tour to Assam and Bengal. All types of facilities were provided to Guru’s family by the local devotees of Patna.

Guru Gobind Singh was born in Patna Paus Sudi 7, Sambat 1723 corresponding to 23rd December 1666 A.D. (Guru) Gobind Singh also mentioned the name of Patna in his autobiography (Bachitra Natak). It was there that my light had appeared I was born at Patna city.

This holy birthplace Patna is renamed Patna Sahib keeping in view its sanctity. It is the second sacred throne (seat authority) out of five. This holy birthplace is not only unique to the Sikhs but also Bethlehem to the Christian, Mecca to the Muslims, Kashi to the Hindus and Vaishali to the Jains.

Gobind Rai spent about six and half years of his childhood here in Patna. According to the chronicles Hindu devotee Pandit Shiv Dutt and Rahim Bux, Nawab of Patna Pir Arifudin and Syed Bhikham Shah became his earliest admirers.