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Bangla Sahib Gurudwara is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for Hindus and Sikhs in India. In 1664, the eighth Sikh Guru, Sri Harkishan came to Delhi, and he stayed in Raja Jai Singh’s bungalow as the royal guest. As a mark of respect to Guru Harkishan, the bungalow was converted into Bangla Sahib Gurudwara.
Special Attractions in and around Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
According to the Sikh legend, Ram Rai, the elder brother of Guru Harkishan was quite perturbed at the latter’s nomination as the successor of the seventh Guru, Sri Har Rai. He asked Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb to help him acquire the Guruagadi. Aurangzeb agreed to help Ram Rai, and consequently summoned Guru Harkishan. At that time, Rajput chief, Raja Jai Singh was in Delhi, and he came forward to help the Sikhs. He not only persuaded Guru Harkishan to come to Delhi, but also convinced Aurangzeb to allow Guru Harkishan to stay with him. Guru Harkishan stayed in the bungalow until the issue of succession was resolved. Later on, this majestic palace transformed into Bangla Sahib Gurudwara.
The most stunning feature of the gurudwara is the gold-plated dome and the tall flag pole. Inside the gurudwara is the main hall where Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs, is placed between silk sheets and flowers. A small golden dome surmounts the holy book, over which hangs the sculptured bronze cupola. On the eastern side of the gurudwara complex is the community kitchen, also called Guru Ka Langar. It provides food to more than 7,000 devotees everyday.
Raja Jai Singh constructed a small tank over a well. The water of this tank is believed to have tremendous healing powers. Devotees call this water ‘Amrit’ and use it to cure their aliments. Apart from this, the devotees have constructed a ‘Sarovar’ inside the gurudwara, where a majority of pilgrims either take a dip or wash their hands and feet before entering into the main hall.
The art gallery situated in the basement of Bangla Sahib Gurudwara is quite popular among the tourists. Here the entire Sikh history is depicted through paintings. The art gallery is named after Sardar Bhagel Singh, the Sikh General who administered the construction of 9 Sikh shrines in 1783. Besides the art gallery, there is a hospital in the basement, which is managed by Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee.
Timings
Bangla Sahib Gurudwara remains on all days of the week between 4:00 AM and 9:00 PM. The visitors should take off their shoes and cover their heads before entering the gurudwara complex. Visitors are also expected to wear decent dresses that cover their shoulders and legs, and show respect to the sacred Guru Granth Sahib.
Location of Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
State: Delhi
Tourist Attractions near Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
Major tourist attractions near Bangla Sahib Gurudwara are Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the President of India, and India Gate, the war memorial built to commemorate the death of 80,000 soldiers in World War I. Another place of interest near the gurudwara is Jantar Mantar, the astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur in 1710.
This article was contributed by Anubha Shyam
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