The 165-km rivulet starts from Hoshiarpur, runs across four districts and meets the confluence of the rivers Beas and Sutlej in Kapurthala.
Features
Odhra rivulet, and Mukerian Hydel Channel are the main source of water for Kali Bein.
The ChhotiBein is a tributary of the Kali Bein.
The Kanjli Wetland, a Ramsar site (a wetland site designated of international importance under the Ramsar Convention), is supported by the Kali Bein.
Pollution
Wastewater from cities and towns as well as industrial waste used to flow into the rivulet via a drain, turning its waters black, hence the name Kali Bein (black rivulet).
In the wake of the Green Revolution, the Kali Bein became progressively polluted until it was cleaned and rejuvenated in a mass action led by Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal in the 2000s.
The ‘Kali Bein Model’ was cited as the blueprint for the National Mission for Clean Ganga.
Significance for Sikhs
The first Guru, Nanak Dev, is said to have got enlightenment
When Guru Nanak Dev was staying at Sultanpur Lodhi with his sister BebeNanki, he would bathe in the Kali Bein.
He is said to have disappeared into the waters one day, before emerging on the third day. This marks the beginnings of Sikhism and the start of Nanak’s teachings.
The first thing he recited was the “Mool Mantra” of the Sikh religion (Ik Onkar).
Gurudwara Ber Sahib, the principal shrine at Sultanpur, is situated on the bank of the rivulet Kali Bein.
It is built by the side of an old ber tree which is believed to be the one under which Guru Nanak would sit in meditation.
