Shri Guru Ram Rai

 Darbar Shri Guru Ram Rai Ji Maharaj

It is well known that whenever the earth requires a distinction between the holy texts and their meanings, Maha Purush( Holy Man) take birth and gave their message to the world by giving examples from the ancient texts.

Darbar Sahib

One of them was Shri Guru Ram Rai, he is the eldest son of the seventh Sikh guru, Guru Har Rai Ji. He was born on the 5th day of Holi( An Indian Festival) at Kiratpur, Ropar in Punjab in the year  1646.
According to ancient texts, it is said that Guru Hargobind ji was imprisoned by Aurangzeb and demanded Guru Har Rai Ji to come to Delhi in his court to confer with the Emperor. Instead of going himself, Guru Har Rai Ji sends his eldest son to Aurangzeb's Court. There Ram Rai Ji was able to concern all the satisfactory levels of the Aurangzeb and also become able the Emperor. As a result, he was rewarded with the honour of being a guest at the Palace.

A portrait of Ram Rai Ji on his Court Seat

One day, Aurangzeb asked Ram Rai Ji as he was being prodded by some Ulema," Why did Guru Nanak Criticize Muslims in his Bani, as the Bani said, Mitti Musalman ki ". Ram Rai Ji gathered all the Ulema and gave a talk on this line and said that this line is miscopied from the original text as the original one says " Mitti Baiman ki ". As Ram Rai Ji got blessed with powers he was satisfied with his talks and also performed many miracles at the Aurangzeb's Court which consists of making the dead alive, getting moved out of prison, giving gifts to Aurangzeb, saying curses to cruel and greedy people and much more.
When Ram Rai Ji's Father Guru Har Rai Ji heard about all of these acts, he forbade his son from ever coming home, as according to Guru Har Rai ji, giving talks on Bani is only could be done only if he is a Guru, as well as Bani, is complete in itself and no changes would be made in it. Even performing miracles for someone's pleasure is a presentation of arrogance against the Lord's will. 

The Samadhi of Mata Panjab Kaur

A Samadhi in the Dera showing the Architectural design

The central entrance to the Gurudwara

Ram Rai Ji then moved towards Dehradun. The day actually coincides with his birthday. On that day till today, a Fair is organized in his memory, named "Jhanda Mela". In Dehradun, Raja Fateh Singh was ordered by Aurangzeb to provide land to Ram Rai Ji. As the area was earlier known as "Doon" by locals, but when Ram Rai Ji put their " DERA"  here, the place becomes to be known as "DERADOON". With the change in time, the names get changed to "DEHRADUN".

The Jhanda used to host new clothes on every Jhanda Mela

A view of the Gurudwara from the back entrance

With the disown of Ram Rai ji, his younger brother Guru Har Kishan Ji chose to be the next Guru of the Lineage. Here at Dehradun, Ram Rai Ji continued his Sewa to the people and by this selfless work, he got a little following of people from Guru Har Rai Ji's Hukam.
Though Ram Rai Ji misspelt the Bani, He was still considered a Holy Man by many peoples and did many good deeds in helping people. His followers were known as Masands. As Ram Rai Ji has no children, he said his wife, Mata Panjab Kaur, in his final days to don't allow anyone to enclosure him. He also said to her that he is going into deep meditation and it was very important after that he entered in a day and sat in meditation for numerous days.

A portrait of Ram Rai Ji with his things in the closet

Another ancient portrait of Ram Rai Ji

Some greedy Masand tries to occupy Ram Rai Ji's wealth and after getting news of having no presence of Ram Rai Ji, they try to enter his room. Mata Panjab Kaur stops them but they refuse to listen to her and suggested that Ram Rai Ji become desolate. Masands entered the room and found Ram Rai Ji lying on the ground. After debating on their own they came to a result, to cremate the body. Mata Panjab Kaur was watching all this so saddened and prayed to Ram Rai Ji to come back into his body. But it was too late, and Masands cremated the body which lamented her into a shock.

The Murals of flowers in the main court

The Murals decorating the building

It is said that when Ram Rai Ji saw all these from a spiritual plane, he gets so angry that he cursed all the Masands and as a result, Mata Panjab Kaur moved to Guru Gobind Singh( Tenth Sikh Guru) and tell him everything and asked him to help her in taking revenge as Guru Gobind Singh was Ram Rai Ji's Cousin Brother.

Carving on the marble pillars in the Dera

Murals in the outer portion of the building

Murals on the Musem building

Guru Gobind Singh came to Dehradun and punishes all the guilty Masands with deadly punishments. Guru Gobind Singh Ji knew of the power of Ram Rai Ji and also knew that he was a holy man and that what his follower had done to him was shameful.

Back entrance of the Gurudwara

The central court seat of Ram Rai ji

After the Death of  Ram Rai ji in 1687, Mata Panjab Kaur looked over the Dera and its working, but in ancient times, it isn't possible for women to look over it and took administration into her hands. Even women were forbidden to take "Gaddi". Therefore she looks over the Dera with the help of an experienced devotee to Darbar Sahib, Shri Aud Das Ji. After then he is appointed as the First " Mahant " to the Dera.

At present time Mahant, "Devendra Das"( tenth Mahant in the Lineage) is looking over the Dera administration. With the service of Mahants, they have Established SGRR Education Mission and Mahant Indersh Hospitality Services in Dehradun.
At present times the Dera has an Architectural design of the Hindu-Mughal era having murals on the walls describing the stories of the time.