Gurdwara Bangla Sahib

Sikh General, Sardar Bhagel Singh in 1783 initiated and looked over the construction of nine Sikh shrines in Delhi during the rule of last Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. The Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is also one of those shrines and marked its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan. Another striking feature of the Gurudwara is the pool it houses within its complex also known as “Sarovar” and as per the Sikh beliefs the water it stores Is Amrit. Situated in the heart of capital city Connaught Place, it can be easily spotted due to its remarkable golden dome as well as tall flagpole, Nishan Sahib.

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib as it audaciously stands today initially was a Bangla which belonged to Raja Jai Singh, an Indian ruler in the seventeenth century, and due to its location in Jaisingh Pura which was later destroyed to make way for the current shopping palace of Connaught Place , was known as Jaisingh Pura Palace.

During his stay in Delhi, the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan took shelter here. At that time an epidemic of small pox and cholera was hovering over Delhi, it was then that the supreme Guru helped the sufferings by the well of this house. However, soon he himself got victim to the then deadly disease and eventually, died on March 30, 1664. Later a small water tank was installed over the well of which water today is believed to be magical water and is supposed to contain healing properties.

This Gurudwara sees grand celebrations every year in honor of the birth anniversary of Guru Har Krishan. The Sikh people live with the belief that no one should be turned Hungary from their dwellings and for a place like a house of worship of god such an act will be a crime. Considering this there is a big kitchen within the premises of the Gurudwara where langar is practiced throughout the day and is open for all to eat irrespective of race or religion. In addition to the kitchen there is also a large (holy) pond, a school and an art gallery. The langar service rendered here is fully arranged by Gursikhs who work here and also sees a lot of volunteers who want to do a noble deed. The best part about a Gurudwara is it is open for all that is it not only allows visitors but also gives them an opportunity to engage in the activities like shoe-minding, cleaning the confines of the gurudwara etc. A multi-level complex has been constructed in the Gurudwara in addition to "Yatri Niwas” and a toilet complex. Moreover, for the comfort of Guru who resides in every particle of the Gurudwara and also for the visitors air conditioners have been installed inside the Gurudwara and also in the Langar Hall. The Gurudwara truly keeps up the belief that humanity still resides in this materialistic world.