Baba Atal

Location

Baba Atal is nine-storeyed octagonal building-the highest structure in the city. It is situated to the southwest of the Hari-Mandir. A very interesting story is narrated about its construction. Atal Rai was the youngest son of Guru Hargobind. When he was nine years old, he used to play there with other boys. One day, one of his companions, named Mohan, the son of a widow, suddently died. Atal Rai went to his house and knocked at the door. When enquired about the errand of his visit, Baba Atal said that the deceased boy had to give him in the game to turn which was still due. He instantly went to the dead body of his friend and, touching it with his stick, uttered, "Get up, give me my turn first and then depart from this world if you so like". The dead boy stood up. All were taken aback at this incident. When Guru Hargobind came to know of it, he got enraged and reprimanded Atal Rai, warning him not to interfere in the doings of God. Atal Rai took the reprimand to heart so much that he lay down in his house and never got up. In order to perpetuate his memory, this nine-storeyed monument was raised during the period 1778-84. The nine storeys symbolize the 9 years' age of Atal Rai. It is a common belief that the people who bring cooked food and distribute it among the poor here get their desires fulfilled. Hence it is said, "Baba Atal, Pakki Pakai Ghal".