Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is a prominent Sikh gurudwara (place of worship) located in Delhi. This gurudwara is built in the memory of 8th sikh guru - Guru Har Krishan Ji.

HISTORY OF GURUDWARA BANGLA SAHIB

Initially Gurudwara Bangla Sahib was not a religious place of worship, instead originally it was a bungalow known by the name of Jaisinghpura Palace. The palace was owned by Raja Jai Singh, the ruler of Amer. In 1664 AD, Guru Har Krishan Ji visited Delhi and resided at Raja Jai Singh's banglow (bangla) for few months. During that time period, the people of Delhi were suffering from the terrible epidemic of Cholera & smallpox. Guru Har Krishan Ji spent his time in serving the sick and the destitute. Out of compassion, Guru Sahib dipped his holy feet in the water and poured this amrit into a small chaubacha (tank). The amrit (sacred water) had miraculous healing powers and all the people who took water from the tank were saved from the epidemic. Guru Sahib also asked Diwan Dargah Mal to distribute daily offerings made by the sangat on the welfare of poor people. The young Guru Har Krishan Ji contracted smallpox and passed away on 6th October, 1661. Raja Jai Singh dedicated his bangla in the memory of Guru Har Krishan Ji.

In 1783, the Sikh General Sardar Baghel Singh Dhaliwal constructed a small shrine on that place and also built a tank over the well. Even today, people who visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, collect the sacred water (Amrit) from the tank and take it back to their home in order to get benefit from its healing powers and get rid of their ailments.

GURUDWARA BANGLA SAHIB TODAY

The current structure of the gurudwara was built after 1947.The gurudwara has a huge complex made from white marble, topped with golden onion shaped domes. The entire complex houses the gurudwara where the prakash of Guru Granth Sahib Ji is done, the sacred water tank, the langar hall, the art gallery, the sarovar (water pool), the hospital and the library. Today Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is one of the top 10 historical gurudwaras to visit in Delhi. The gurudwara witnesses thousands of devotees everyday and this number triples on Sunday or whenever there is a Gurpurab celebration.

LESS KNOWN FACTS ABOUT GURUDWARA BANGLA SAHIB

1) Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji is also known as Bala Pritam as he was only 8 years old when he saved the people from the terrible epidemic.

2) The Guru cured the people by offering water from the well. Today also devotees make sure to take Amrit from the water tank at the Gurudwara.

3) The devotees believe that the water of the Sarovar contains healing powers and can cure one of the diseases. Therefore the devotees make sure to take a holy dip (ishnan) at the sarovar.

4) All the people from different castes & creed are welcome but make sure to cover your head before entering the gurudwara and be in appropriate dress code. Please note that it is a place of worship not a tourist spot.