Gurudwara Mata Kaulan

Gurdwara Mata Kaulan Sahib or Gurdwara Kaulsar Sahib is a sacred Sikh shrine on the west side of Gurdwara Baba Atal in Amritsar, Punjab near the main Darbar Sahib at Harmandar Sahib. Next to the Gurdwara Mata Kaulan lies a Sarovar (pool) known as Kaulsar Sahib or Kaulsar Sarvor, named after a holy lady who was raised as a Muslim called Bibi Kaulan, the adopted (possibly Hindu) daughter of the Qazi of Lahore.

The sacred shrine of Mata Kaulan, also known as the Gurudwara Mata Kaulan, is located on the west side of the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The memorial was named after Bibi Kaulan, a holy lady who was raised as a Muslim but then adopted Hinduism later in her life, becoming a faithful disciple of Guru Har Gobind. Bibi Kaulan’s father disowned her and pronounced her dead for her devotion to Guru Hargobind Ji. After she was abandoned, Sant Mian Mir, a resident of the same village, secretly brought her to Amritsar, where she spent the rest of her life devoted to Guru Har Gobind while performing religious duties. She was later laid to rest in the western area of Gurudwara Kaulan.

Bibi Kaulan's Kirtans, which she sang religiously every evening, are still remembered by the older members of the Sikh community. Bibi Kaulan’s service to the Gurudwara and devotion toward Gods are often praised in the temple complex. Kaulsar Sarovar, located next to the Gurudwara Mata Kaulan, is the holy place Guru Hargobind advised devotees to take a dip in before proceeding towards the Amrit Sarovar. Kaulsar Sarovar, the first tank in Amritsar to be named after a Muslim woman, is the perfect spot for tourists to feel a sense of tranquillity and indulge in some introspection and meditation.

Story of Bibi Kaulan

Gurudwara Mata Kaulan was named after Bibi Kaulan, a holy lady who was raised as a Muslim but then adopted Hinduism later in her life, becoming a faithful disciple of Guru Har Gobind. Bibi Kaulan’s father disowned her and pronounced her dead for her devotion towards Guru Hargobind Ji. After she was abandoned, Sant Mian Mir, a resident of the same village, secretly brought her to Amritsar, where she spent the rest of her life devoted to Guru Har Gobind while performing religious duties. She was later laid to rest in the western area of Gurudwara Kaulan. Bibi Kaulan’s service and devotion to the Gurudwara is often praised in the temple complex.