Banaras is the City of Vahiguru/Sikhi
Mata Sahib Devi writes in her hukamnama *March 19, 1730*, to the congregation of Banaras that:
ਬਨਾਰਸ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਕੋਠੀ ਹੈ
"Banaras is the House of Sri Vahiguru Ji." - Mata Sahib Devi
Mata Sahib Devi's late father-in-law, Guru Tegh Bahadur also said this to the congregation there when reaching Banaras *Kanshi/Varanasi*, explaining to them how Banaras is the House of Sikhi.
ਇਹ ਪੁਰਿ ਸ਼ਿਵ ਕੋ ਮਹਾਂ ਮਹਾਤਮ । ਰਹਹਿਂ ਸੰਤ ਸਿਖ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਆਤਮ । ਗੁਰੁ ਸਿਖੀ ਕੋ ਕੋਠਾ ਅਹੈ । ਗੁਰ ਸ਼ਰਧਾ ਉਰ ਧਰਿ ਬਰ ਰਹੈਂ ।
"This city of Shiva *Banaras/Kanshi* has great importance, staying here the Saints and the Sikhs are purified. Banaras is the House of the Guru's Sikhi; Sikhs living in Banaras have great love of the Guru in their heart.
ਪਾਵਨ ਛੇਤ੍ਰ ਆਦਿ ਕੋ ਭਯੋ । ਨੀਲਕੰਠ ਰੁਚਿ ਸੋਂ ਰਚਿ ਦਯੋ । ਜੇ ਮਾਨਵ ਬਾਸਹਿ ਸਮੁਦਾਇ । ਗਤਿ ਦੇਵਨਿ ਮਹਿ ਬਨਹਿ ਸਹਾਇ ।
Banaras since its origin has been extremely pure, Shiva *Neelkanth* founded the city with great love. Whoever lives in Banaras will have the support of the Gods for liberation." - Guru Tegh Bahadur
Gurpratap [[Suraj]] Prakash Granth (1843), author: the Great Poet Santokh Singh
Raas 11, Chapter 54
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