According to historian R K Parmu” Long ago Kashmir had been treated as a holy place by the great Gurus. The founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, had paid a visit to the Valley and the Gurdwara at Matan, Anantnag, commemorates the pilgrimage he undertook in the fifteenth century A.D.
He made many converts after one of the leading Kashmiri Brahmins, Brahma Das, had accepted the Guru’s faith.” (A history of Sikh Rule in Kashmir 1819-1846, Srinagar,1977 ,P. 123). It is believed that Guru ji stayed thirteen days at Mattan. In the middle of the spring pond, a raised platform was seen on which Guru ji had a discussion with Kashmiri Pandit Brahm Das of Bej Behara, who was Proud of his Knowledge. Nowadays the platform parts are seen in the bottom of the spring pond. Earlier there were no stone walls of Hindu temples around this pond. According to Editor ‘Reformer’ Lahore and Twarikh Kashmir (Pt. Hargopal Kaul Khasta), the stone wall and Garden was constructed by King Shah Jahan.
Later on S. Gurmukh Singh who was a member in the council of Afghan reign (Governor Kashmir Noor Din Khan Bambazi) constructed a splendous Gurdwara in 1766 AD. In 1821 AD Governor Hari Singh Nalwa, constructed seven small Gurdwaras on the three sides of the twin springs.
In which seven Sri Guru Granth Sahibs were installed.Two volumes had been taken away by SGPC Amritsar, now five volumes are still inside the Gurdwara. Among them, Sunehri Bir is still preserved in Gurdwara Sahib.Three villages were attached to the Gurdwara as its property; Paibhug, Mattan and Mace Gaam. The three villages later were annexed by the Dogra rulers . During the reign of Maharaja Partap Singh Dogra these Gurdwaras were removed
.On the ruined platform around the spring pond Maharaja Hari Singh Dogra constructed a temple in 1944 AD.
According to the Census Report of 1943 by R. C. Ratard, “There is evidence to show that there were Sikhs in the country (J & K) as early as the 16th century. The Gurdawara at Mattan commemorates his (Guru Nanak’s) visit.”
According to eyewitness Sewa Ram Singh District and Session Judge Rawalpindi, “The remnants of a Platform in the center of the lower tank of the Twin Springs at Matten indicate the spot where the Master had sat, while some ruins of the pillars of the causeway leading up to the platform from the left side of the Spring are also visible. In 1908, when the present writer first visited Kashmir, he saw one of the seven Gurdwaras, which had been built on three sides of the twin Springs, still standing and he read a sermon from the Granth Sahib to the assembled audience in that Gurdwara, That Gurdwara, however, has also gone in ruins, and a new one seems to have recently been constructed, not on that after but along the south-western corner of the lower Spring. It is difficult to say who is responsible for this act of vandalism.”(The Divine Master, 1989 ,P 144)
According to Dr GMD Suf, “The Gurdwara of Mattan, Baramulla and outside Kathi Darwaza, Srinagar were built by Nalwa (Kashir)
The Sikh Granthis of this place have been given Pattas of Gurdwara Nanaksarby Maharaja Ranjit Singh which was also taken away by Bhai Kanhiya Singh Baramulla on the instructions of Dogra rulers. During Sikh rule, there were 84 rooms associated with these Gurdwaras. When Sikh historian Sewa Ram Singh first visited Mattan Sahib in 1908 AD. At this place, he saw only one Gurdwara. Nowadays only one Gurdwara is seen on the right side of the spring, near Surya Mandir. Although this Gurdwara is constructed later on, away from the spring. Deodarand kail wood is utilized in their construction. On the right side, near Surya Mandir, Kesri Nishan Sahib is hoisted, 35 feet high and 3 feet in circumference. Its basement is about 8 feet in square. A Khanda Chakra is also seen on its top. One of the copies of Guru Granth Sahib is about sixteen centuries old. Its first two pages are believed to be written with Gold ink, by S. Hari Singh Nalwa.
On one side of the Gurdwara, a board is placed on which the following Urdu couplet is written as mentioned by Kashir Encyclopaedia. “Gurdwara PehliPatshahiNanaksar Matan Sahib Kashmir Yahan Guru Ji Brahm Das Pandit Se Gosht Ki.”
