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⁣ ![[banaras.jpg]]