Delhi, as a multicultural metropolis, is home to a number of religious sites, including Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. For Hindus and Sikhs from all around Delhi and beyond, this Sikh shrine is a major draw. It is located near Connaught Place on Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi. The shrine’s tall flagpole, Nishan Sahib, and golden dome make it recognizable.
In 1783, the Sikh General, Sardar Bhagel Singh, built this monument to honor Guru Har Krishan, the eighth Sikh guru. In the same year, he built nine Sikh temples during the rule of the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II.
The Gurudwara, which is open 24 hours a day, epitomizes the Sikhs’ generous nature. Every day, around a thousand worshipers visit the shrine. Its magnificent structure, architectural style, and holy pool inside the Gurudwara’s complex, ‘Sarovar’, make it a major tourist attraction.
So, let us explore Gurudwara Bangla Sahib’s history, architecture, festivals celebrated, and nearby attractions.
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib At a Glance
| Location | Hanuman Road Area, Connaught Place |
| Type | Gurudwara |
| Previously known as | Jaisinghpura Palace |
| Dedicated to | Guru Har Krishan, the 8th Sikh Guru |
| Timings | Open for 24 hours |
| Langar Timings | 9 AM to 3 PM and 7 PM to 10 PM |
| Architectural Style | Sikh architecture |
| Material Used | White marble |
| Nearest Metro Station | Shivaji Stadium Metro Station (on the Orange Line) |
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib – History, Architecture, Things to Do, Festivals, and Nearby Attractions
Let us now dive deeper into the details.
History
Unlike other Gurudwaras, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib was initially a small bungalow owned by Raja Jai Singh, a Rajput ruler in the 17th century. It was known as Jaisinghpura Palace.
During the visit to Delhi in 1664, Guru Har Krishan, the eighth Sikh Guru, stayed at this palace. As a result of unforeseen circumstances, cholera, and smallpox outbreaks occurred in the region, killing large numbers of people.
Guru Har Krishan took it upon himself to bring fresh water from the well in the bungalow, which had healing properties. It also cured the sick, according to Sikh literature. He, too, succumbed to the same sickness and died on March 30, 1664.
Raja Jai Singh constructed a small tank atop the well’s waters, which is said to cure various ailments today. Even today, Sikhs take water from the well called Amrit to their homes, as it is revered to have healing properties.
The Gurudwara and the Sarovar are now a place of high regard for all Sikhs, and they gather there on the birth anniversary of Guru Har Krishan.
Moreover, recently in 2021, the Gurudwara inaugurated the cheapest diagnostic center for the poor. The MRI scan is available at just ₹50 at this center.
Architecture and Social Functions
The Bangla Sahib is a stunning example of Sikh architecture, easily identifiable by the golden, gleaming dome and the towering, colossal flagpole named Nishan Sahib. The entire structure is made of exquisite white marble, with solid gold leaves covering the central dome. There are numerous smaller domes on the front wall and elaborate projected sculptures.
The Gurudwara’s ground contains multiple structures, including a major prayer hall, a sacred lake, an art gallery, a museum, a library, a higher secondary school, a charitable hospital, and a communal kitchen. It even houses a “Yatri Niwas” (night stay) for exhausted pilgrims to help unwind and refresh. AC rooms are available for INR 1000, and non-AC rooms for INR 800.
Additionally, the Gurudwara houses all the necessary conveniences, such as toilets, air conditioning, parking lots, etc. Live Darbar Sahib transmission is available for devotees who cannot visit the shrine in person.
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Museum
The museum includes four galleries with a total of 250 artworks and one tiny theater that may accommodate up to 170 people at a time. It screens five-minute documentaries about Sikh gurus and soldiers. The idea is to promote the ideology and teachings of Sikhism. It attempts to emphasize the essential ideas of Sikhism using paintings, displays, digital technology, projections, murals, and multi-language sound. Sensors, films, and headphones recount stories of Sikh gurus’ lives and teachings.
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Langar
When at Bangla Sahib, don’t forget to sample the “Kada Prasad” and free langar, or “community meal.” In fact, no one goes to bed hungry in Gurudwara. It features a langar hall wherein meals are free for everyone, regardless of race, caste, gender, or religion.
Feel free to serve the Almighty by volunteering in the langar kitchen, considered one of the most beneficial worship sessions at the shrine. The langar offers simple yet delicious lentils, rotis, and rice. The Path and Shabads (holy chants) that last nearly 24 hours can make you feel at peace and connected with the almighty immediately.
Timings – 9 AM to 3 PM and 7 PM to 10 PM
Things to Do
Here is the list of things you might love to do in this Gurudwara.
- You can go to the prayer services.
- Take a walk along the Sarovar’s banks for some peace. At sunrise and sunset, take in the surreal splendor of it.
- Volunteer to clean the floor or assist in community activities, such as helping in the kitchen, serving langar, serving water, or managing the shoes of devotees by the gate.
- You may also learn more about the Sikh faith by reading the materials in Gurudwara’s library.
- Have meals at the Langar or community kitchen.
- Visit Baba Baghel Singh Sikh Heritage Multimedia Museum.
Festivals Celebrated in Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Delhi is colorful in several aspects. However, it comes alive during some important festivals.
- Prakash Utsav: Each year, the festivities get underway with this festival, which marks the birth of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.
- Guru Purab: It’s one of the key festivals held here to celebrate Guru Nanak Dev’s birth and Guru Har Krishan’s birth anniversary.
- Baisakhi: Thousands of believers celebrate Baisakhi, which is a harvest festival.
Street Food Near Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
Outside the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib premises are several snack (Chai-Pakoda) vendors. They provide a range of delectable fried treats with green chutney, onion, potatoes, spinach, and cauliflower.
Ram Ladoos are one of the other popular fried treats provided here. They’re fried right before your eyes, ensuring they’re scorching hot. If you need something sweet, Jalebi can be a great option. Best of all, they are open 24 hours a day and are incredibly inexpensive.
Other food items include Masala Chai, Kachori and Aalo ki Sabji, Desi Chowmein, and a variety of pakoras.
How to Reach Bangla Sahib Gurudwara?
If you live outside Delhi, you can get to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib via air, rail, and bus.
By Air
With a modern airport, Delhi is served by the world’s major international airlines. The domestic terminal in Palam is 5 kilometers from the international terminal at Indira Gandhi International Airport, 23 kilometers southwest of Central Delhi. You can take a taxi or bus to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib upon arrival. Pre-paid taxi services and air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned coach counters are located outside.
The Delhi Transport Corporation runs an Airport Coach to Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT), Kashmiri Gate, while the Ex-Airlink Servicemen’s Transport Service runs an Airport Coach to Connaught Place. The coach covers all major hotels along the route.
By Rail
The Indian Railways network is centered in Delhi, with express trains going to every corner of the country. There are two main railway stations in New Delhi and Old Delhi. New Delhi and Main Delhi stations are about 7 kilometers from Connaught Place. Express trains run from Delhi to every part of the country.
Foreigners can purchase tickets at New Delhi station’s International Tourist Bureau (Ph: 011-3346804). The Shatabdi Express air-conditioned rapid tourist train connects Bhopal, Lucknow, and Chandigarh with some local tourist attractions through Agra, Gwalior, and Jhansi.
By Bus
Bus services are available to Delhi from all major cities in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. DTC runs customized services from train stations to various sections of the city.
Local Transport
Take the blue line metro to Rajiv Chowk and exit at Rajiv Chowk. Use an auto-rickshaw to go to the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara in Delhi, which is 2.8 kilometers from the station. The Yellow Line metro station at Patel Chowk is the closest. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is 2 km away.
This attraction also has its own bus station, where you may get off and walk the remaining 1 km to your destination. The buses on the route are 410CL, 410, 930, 408, 378, and 340. One may hire a cab if the budget is not an issue. The shrine is situated on the Baba Kharak Singh Marg. It is close to Connaught Place in New Delhi.
Accommodation
There are 47 apartments and two halls in the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. There are 39 air-conditioned rooms and 8 non-air-conditioned rooms in the hotel. Each room has an attached bathroom. An AC room costs INR 1000 daily, while non-AC rooms come in at INR 800.
Advisory
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is a religious place. Therefore, maintain some protocols as listed below.
- As per the rules, you must not enter the Gurudwara with your head uncovered. A basket of headscarves is placed near the entrance. These scarves are available for free. Just pick one and return it after the Darshan.
- Dress in something covering major portions of your body, from the shoulders to just below the knee area.
- The use of tobacco and alcohol on the premises is forbidden.
- On-campus photography is prohibited.
- You can get guides from the officials of the Gurudwara.
- Keep your shoes in the show-keeping area and wash your hands and feet before entering the premises.
Attractions Nearby Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
The top attractions nearby Gurudwara Bangla Sahib are
1. Jantar Mantar (1.1 km)
Situated 1.1 k away from Bangla Sahiba, Jantar Mantar is a major attraction consisting of 13 architectural astronomy instruments. It is one of the five buildings built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur. The name Jantar Manter refers to instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens.
2. Connaught Place (1.1 km)
Officially known as Rajiv Chowk, Connaught Place is a business and financial hub in New Delhi. It is home to the headquarters of several reputed Indian firms. It is also a major tourist, shopping, and nightlife attraction. The place was the world’s ninth most expensive office location as of July 2019. The rent was $1,650 per square meter.
3. Birla Temple (1.4 km)
Also popular as Shri Laxmi Narayan Temple, Birla Temple is devoted to Lord Laxminarayan, Shri Vishnu, with his consort Lakshmi. It was the first large Hindu temple in Delhi. The temple spans 3 hectares and is adorned with shrines, fountains, and a large garden.
4. Rashtrapati Bhawan (2.3 km)
The official residence of India’s president is Rashtrapati Bhawan. Earlier, it was known as Viceroy’s House and was constructed during the reign of the British Empire. It is the second largest residence of any head state in the world in terms of area.
5. National Museum of Natural History, New Delhi (2.4 km)
Often abbreviated as NMNH, the National Museum of Natural History, New Delhi, focuses on nature. Its mission was to spread awareness of the environment and promote environmental education.
6. India Gate (3.5 km)
This place needs no introduction. India Gate, also known as the All India War Memorial, is located on the Kartavya Path, formerly called the Duty Path. It is a memorial dedicated to 84,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who sacrificed their lives between 1914 and 1921 in the First World War.
Interesting Facts About Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
- This Gurudwara is one of nine Gurudwaras erected in Delhi during the 17th century.
- With 12 lakh tourists visiting in 2017, the gurdwara became one of the most popular spots for international tourists seeking a sanctifying experience.
- It fed 75,000 people each day during the initial COVID wave. When the second wave hit, the Guru Harkrishan Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, which is on the grounds of Bangla Sahib, opened a free-of-charge 100-bed dialysis center.
- The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee manages it.
- The water of the Sarovar is considered Amrit, with miraculous powers that can cure diseases and ailments.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is a fantastic spot to visit in Delhi if you’re looking for a relaxing vacation, a spiritual ambiance, and affordable short-term lodging. Its magnificence and tranquil surroundings will make your visit an unforgettable one.
This Gurudwara in Delhi is a living monument’s testimony, conserving its rich religious past while also continuing to establish a lasting legacy. Everything about the place is symbolic of human amalgamation. When visiting the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, you may sense the Sikh community’s faith and friendliness and receive blessings.
So, when are you visiting this place of spirituality and tranquillity?
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