When you plan a Delhi trip, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib should certainly be on your list. The peaceful ambience, positive vibe, alluring white marble architecture, sacred sarovar, and the devotional ‘Ik Onkar Satnam….’, make you feel at ease. You are sure to forget your worries here as there is something in its atmosphere that makes you believe ‘Everything Will Be Alright’. Visitors to this holy place are not just limited to the Sikh community. People regardless of their cast, creed, and faith come here.
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is one of the most prominent Sikh temples, located at the heart of Delhi. This magnificent white marble religious place, topped by a golden onion-shaped dome is visited by thousands of devotees every day. The Gurudwara was built at the site, where the eighth Sikh Guru Harkrishan Dev spent his last days before his death in 1664.
This Sikh house of worship embraces devotees of all faiths. It has a museum, a pond, Langar hall, and a big kitchen that feeds more than 75,000 people everyday in Delhi.
Also, if you want to visit the Golden temple of Amritsar, book a Delhi to Amritsar flight.
How To Reach
The Gurudwara is located in Connaught Place on Ashok Road in New Delhi and can be accessed by all means of local transport. Patel Chowk metro station on yellow line and Rajiv Chowk metro station on blue line are the nearest metro stations. You can get several rickshaws outside the stations.
It also has a dedicated bus stand and regular buses ply from other parts of Delhi and NCR.
If you are coming from a different city, then book a flight to Delhi or several trains are also available.
History
Its history dates back to the 17th century, when it was the palace of Raja Jai Singh, a Hindu Rajput ruler. During his reign, the palace was known as Jaisinghpura Palace, in Jaisinghpura. This neighborhood was later demolished to build Connaught Place. The eighth Sikh Guru Harkrishan Dev stayed at the palace, when smallpox and cholera hit Delhi. The Sikh Guru treated those who were suffering from the epidemic by giving them fresh water from the tank. Unfortunately, he contracted the disease and later died of it on 30th March, 1664.
You can still find the water tank in the Gurudwara. Many believe it to have healing properties in its water and hence is taken by the devotees throughout the world back to their home.
Bangla Sahib Gurudwara was first built as a small Sikh shrine by Sikh general Sardar Baghel Singh in 1783 and the palace was later donated by Raja Jai Singh of Amer. He also supervised nine other constructions of Sikh shrines during the reign of Mughal emperor Shah Alam II.
Architecture
The edifice of the shrine is one of the finest examples of Sikh architecture, with Rajput and Mughal influence. The temple is carved out of white marble and the central dome is covered in gold leaves. There are several small domes throughout the area. You can get to see several intricate carvings on the front wall. There is a towering flagpole that holds Nishan Sahib (Sikh triangular flag). The main prayer hall has the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhism.
There is a huge pool in the middle of the premises, which is called Sarovar. Taking holy dip in the Sarovar is considered sacred and is done by almost all visitors every day.
Gurudwara Shri Bangla Sahib also has several significant structures, including a community kitchen, Langar hall, a large pond, a charitable hospital, a higher secondary school, a library, an art gallery, a museum, and Yatri Niwas for pilgrims visiting the shrine from far places.
The Gurudwara is well-equipped with all modern amenities like air conditioning, toilets, multi-level car parking, etc.
The Museum
Baba Baghel Singh Sikh Heritage Multimedia Museum has four galleries. These galleries house a total of 250 artworks and a theater that can accommodate 170 people at a time. Here, visitors can watch a short documentary about Sikh Gurus and soldiers. The idea behind the documentary is to promote the ideology and teachings of Sikhism.
The Charitable Hospital and The Cheapest Diagnostic Center
The Gurudwara’s diagnostic center is an initiative that aims to provide cheap healthcare to the underprivileged. Patents can get an MRI scan at just INR50. It also has a kidney dialysis center. It doesn’t have any cash or billing center. Patients are admitted here for free.
Community Kitchen and Langar
It is said that the one who visits Gurudwara never goes to sleep hungry. Guru Ka Langar is a holy practice, in which Sewadars prepare food at the community kitchen and feed everyone and anyone, irrespective of their religion and race. Anyone who has eaten at Langar knows the purity and taste of the food and most importantly the dedication of the community to feed all through selfless sewa.
The same goes to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib that prepares food for more than 75,000 people daily. Since the Gurudwara feeds a large number of people everyday, most of the cleaning and cooking has been automated. Moreover, a group of volunteers or Sewadars help in the kitchen and also serve food to devotees.
Each volunteer or Sewadars are assigned a specific duty. It is taken very seriously. Feeding thousands of people and even millions on festivals every day is undoubtedly not an easy task. Before becoming a cook at Langar, one has to work as an assistant to other cooks. The training takes years to make someone perfect for the job.
Everyday at 2 am in the morning, the food preparation begins. The kitchen uses 16,000 kg wheat flour, 12,00 kg rice, and 700-800 kg dal or lentils daily to prepare the meals for such a large number of people. A typical thali at Langar includes chapati, rice, dal, and different types of sabji and on special days, there’s kheer! The food preparation begins at around 2 am every morning. The Langar generally starts at 9 am and continues until late in the night.
All visitors to the Gurdwara sit on the floor of the dining hall and wait for the food to be served. They accept the chapatis with folded hands and relish the community langar.
While the taste of the food is delicious, don’t forget to relish the iconic Kadha prasad. The melt-in-your-mouth halwa is made with plenty of ghee, love, purity, and dedication.
Things to Do
- Take a dip in the sacred waters of the Sarovar, as it is believed that the waters have healing properties. If you are planning to take the dip, bring extra sets of cloth and a towel. Whether you are dipping in the pool or not, just sitting beside the Sarovar can relax your body and soul. There are several colorful fish in the pool. However, visitors are not allowed to feed them. The authority takes care and feeds them regularly.
- Once you are inside, you are going to appreciate its soothing structure. After the Darshan, spend some time listening to the Gurbani. The music and the atmosphere is so soothing and transports you to another world.
- Regardless of when you visit the temple, the Langar is served throughout the day. You can volunteer and help Sewadars prepare the meal or sit at the community dining hall and relish the food.
- Don’t forget the Kadha prasad.
- Visit the museum and art gallery and learn about the history and valor of Sikhism. There is also a higher secondary school and Yatri Niwas for the visitors who come to the temple from far away places and want to take shelter here.
Important Tips
- Before entering the temple, keep your shoes at the shoe counter free of cost.
- Both men and women in Gurudwara must cover their head with a scarf, shawl, or handkerchief. Everyone should dress modestly.
- Photography is banned inside the Gurudwara.
- Maintain silence and behave in a decent manner.
Entry Timing
This holy Gurudwara in Delhi is open to public 24*7 all days of the year.
The Langar timing starts at 9 am to 3 pm and again at 7pm to 10pm.
Bottom Line
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi is the most revered religious shrine. Being the capital’s one of the biggest tourist attractions, the Gurudwara receives thousands of visitors every day. However, if you look at its initiatives, you will understand this religious place is unlike any other. It aims to provide selfless service to the underprivileged community through free food, free education, and free treatment through a charitable hospital. If you want to be a part of this greater cause, you can make a donation or volunteer as a Sevak and help them in the cleaning or cooking.