As we celebrate the 554th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak DevJi, there is a lesser-known story of his travel to Arunachal Pradesh.
Shri Nanak Dev ji was a great traveller who had visited far and wide. He had travelled from Lhasa of Tibet to Mechuka of today’s Arunachal Pradesh and then from Mechuka, he travelled to Yinkiong which is located in Upper Siang district and also, then to Brahmakund which is also known as the famous Parshuram Kund, situated near river Lohit.
Between 1500 and 1524, Guru Nanak travelled more than 28,000 km in four major tours of the world. There is a folklore that Guru Nanak Dev ji, On his travel back from Tibet in the 16th century, stayed in Mechuka in Shi Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh and meditated. As per legend, a ferocious bear attacked him, but the huge boulder under which he was meditating miraculously lifted him and ensconced him. The indentations in the rock are regarded as his turban’s imprints. The small cavity in the rock where the guru used to have his daily bath is full of black and white pebbles. A white pebble signalled that the wish would come true! If the pebble was black, it remained unfulfilled. A pebble speckled black and white indicated partial fulfillment of the wish.
His idol is also worshipped in the old gompa at Dorjeling near Mechuka. Locals considered him as one of their Guru Rinpoches, and worshipped him as Nanak Lama. Guru Nanak Dev Ji emphasized on moral and religious values. His concept of religion has place for every human being in this world irrespective of religion, caste, colour, breed and race.
