Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is located on Baba Kharak Singh Marg near Connaught Place and it is one of the prominent structures in the capital for architectural and religious significance. Formerly known as Jaisinghpura Palace, the gurudwara was once a bungalow owned by Raja Jai Singh and was later opened as a gurudwara.
The Gurudwara is named after Guru Harkishan Sahib, the eighth Sikh guru. While it is one of the most important places of worship for the Sikh community in India, it is also much more than just a religious monument. It has a great historical, social and cultural significance, having been witnessed and participated in various socio-political instances in the capital.
When you are planning your list of sightseeing places in Delhi, Bangla Sahib should certainly be a priority for the golden domes, cool marble floors and peaceful Sarovar waters which are more gratifying than any marketplace or dine-out experience. Visitors of this holy place are not limited to the Sikh community, and belong to various communities, cultures, nationalities, religions and races.
It also offers varied experiences as apart from the main gurudwara structure, there is also a Sarovar and a langar hall, both symbolising amalgamation of humans, beyond religious and cultural divisions. If you wish to explore art, culture, religion and history of Delhi, then Gurudwara Bangla Sahib should be on your list of places to visit in Delhi. It is an engaging experience for people of all age groups.
The sanctity of the premises is reflected in the maintenance as they are secure, orderly and extremely neat, making it a pleasant visit for travellers. It is also interesting to note that a lot of the functions of the gurudwara maintenance are performed by volunteers and devotees, thus making it a true community space.
People from the deprived sections make their way here to seek food and shelter here. The fact that this place aids the survival of many strengthens its glory.Visit the gurudwara to step into moments of peace and to surrender to the powers of the universe.
History of the Shrine
Bangla Sahib has important history attached to itself, and it is believed that the waters of the Sarovar here have miraculous healing properties. The Gurudwara was once a bungalow belonging to Raja Jai Singh in the 17th century and was known as Jaisinghpura Palace at that time. When the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan visited Delhi in the year 1664, he stayed over at the palace itself. Due to an unforeseen turn of events, there was an outbreak of cholera and smallpox in the region which claimed a number of victims.
In accordance with the teachings of Sikhism, Guru Har Krishan dedicated his services to the suffering by giving fresh water from the well, the healing powers of which cured the diseased. Unfortunately, he contracted the same, as a result of which he died on March 30, 1664. Raja Jai Singh constructed a small tank over the waters of the well, and it is now believed to heal all kinds of diseases and health problems. It is taken away in bottles as souvenirs by devotees coming to Bangla Sahib from all over the world.
Architecture of Bangla Sahib
The edifice of Bangla Sahib is a magnificent example of Sikh architecture. The entire building is carved out of delicate white marble, with the central dome covered in solid gold leaves. The front wall is embellished with intricated projected carvings and has several smaller domes as well.
The Nishan Sahib is a towering flagpole which proudly waves the Gurudwara's flag. The grounds of the Gurudwara has several structures within its boundaries, such as an art gallery, the communal kitchen, charitable hospital, a higher secondary school and even a 'Yatri Niwas' for tired pilgrims to relax and refresh themselves. The Gurudwara is also equipped with all amenities such as air conditioning, toilets and multi-parking space for the convenience of the visitors.
How To Reach Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
The Gurudwara is located in Connaught Place, also known as the heart of Delhi. One can easily reach here via Blue line as well as Yellow line metro. Step down at Rajiv Chowk if you are travelling by a blue line metro. Furthermore, take an auto-rickshaw to reach the Gurudwara which is 2.8 kilometres away from the station. Patel Chowk metro station is the nearest metro station on the Yellow line. It is situated at a distance of 2 kilometres from Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. This attraction has a dedicated bus stop as well, so you can get off there and walk a distance of about 1 kilometre to reach your destination. Alternately, you can hire a cab to reach Gurudwara Bangla Sahib as well.
