Bhagwant Mann Extends Greetings on Jor Mela at Gurdwara Sri Reetha Sahib, Recalls Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Divine Miracle

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday extended warm greetings to devotees on the occasion of the annual Jor Mela at Gurdwara Sri Reetha Sahib, a sacred shrine nestled in the hills of Uttarakhand and deeply revered in Sikh history.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Bhagwant Mann wrote in Punjabi: 

ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰੀਠਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੇ ਸਲਾਨਾ ਜੋੜ ਮੇਲੇ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਮੂਹ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਲੇਵਾ ਸੰਗਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ। ਪਹਿਲੇ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਧੰਨ ਧੰਨ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਚਰਨ ਛੋਹ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਧਰਤੀ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰੀਠਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ, ਜਿੱਥੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੇ ਬਚਨਾਂ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਜਦੋਂ ਭਾਈ ਮਰਦਾਨਾ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਭੁੱਖ ਲੱਗਣ ‘ਤੇ ਰੀਠੇ ਖਾਧੇ ਤਾਂ ਕੌੜੇ… pic.twitter.com/sIo5sZXGuS

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) June 11, 2025

“ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰੀਠਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੇ ਸਲਾਨਾ ਜੋੜ ਮੇਲੇ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਮੂਹ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਲੇਵਾ ਸੰਗਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ।”

(Heartfelt congratulations to all Nanak Naam-loving devotees on the occasion of the annual Jor Mela of Gurdwara Sri Reetha Sahib.)

The Chief Minister recalled the divine legacy of the holy site, emphasizing its connection with Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru. He highlighted a spiritual episode associated with the Gurdwara, where, according to Sikh tradition, Bhai Mardana Ji, Guru Nanak’s longtime companion, once ate bitter soapnuts (reethas) out of hunger. Miraculously, due to Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s blessings, the bitter reethas turned sweet — a moment that still echoes as a powerful symbol of faith and transformation.

A Sacred Pilgrimage Site

Located in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, Gurdwara Sri Reetha Sahib is a site of deep devotion where pilgrims gather every year to celebrate the annual fair or Jor Mela, commemorating Guru Nanak’s visit to the region during his third Udasi (spiritual journey). The spot is renowned not just for its spiritual importance but also for the unique sweet reetha trees believed to be the very ones from the time of Guru Nanak.

The Mela brings together thousands of devotees who come to pay their respects, participate in kirtans, langars, and recall Guru Nanak’s universal message of peace, equality, and service.

Bhagwant Mann’s greetings resonated with the Sikh community across the nation, reminding all of the timeless legacy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the importance of preserving such sacred traditions and stories.

The annual Jor Mela continues to be a significant religious and cultural event for Sikh devotees, strengthening the spiritual fabric of India.