Bibi Bhagbhari Ji

Bibi Bhagbhari ji was a disciple of Guru Amar Das ji. She was also one of the first
Sikh preachers. Little could be found on the early life of Bhagbhari, sometimes also
known as Bibi Bhago. She was very young when she became a disciple of Guru Amar
Das. After learning all that she could, the Guru gave her the manji of Kashmir. That
meant that she was appointed by Guru Amardas ji to preach Sikhism in the area of
Kashmir valley, around Srinagar.
She went out as a missionary, worked hard with considerable success, but never
returned to Punjab. She made her home in Srinagar. When she got older and was
unable to carry out her duties, her son Sewa Das continued the work of the Guru,
preaching and teaching Sikhism to all who would listen.
Bibi Bhagbhari dreamt of seeing her Guru one last time. She made a beautiful robe
and prayed to be able to see him wear it. By this time, it was Guru Hargobind ji was
on the Gaddi of Nanak as the sixth Guru of the Sikhs. The Guru on hearing of her
devotion procceded to Kashmir to meet her. He put on her robe and she blessed her
lucky stars that she had been so honoured. The Guru stayed for some time preaching
to the Sikhs in the area. While the Guru was in Srinagar, Bhagbhari who was quite
elderly at this time, died a happy woman. An important shrine dedicated to this visit
of the Guru still stands in Srinagar today.