Introduction
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, associated with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan, is Delhi’s most prominent Sikh gurdwara. Sikhs consider the water of the pond inside its complex, known as the “Sarovar,” to be holy and refer to it as “Amrit.” It was first built as a small temple by Sikh General, Sardar Bhagel Singh in 1783, who supervised the construction of nine Sikh shrines in Delhi in the same year, during the reign of Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam II.
It is situated near Connaught Place, New Delhi, and is instantly recognizable by its stunning golden dome and tall flagpole, Nishan Sahib.
History
Raja Jai Singh, an Indian ruler in the seventeenth century, originally owned the bungalow that is now Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. Known as Jaisinghpura Palace, it was located in Jaisingh Pura, a historic neighborhood later demolished to make way for the Connaught Place shopping district.
The eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan resided here during his stay in Delhi in 1664. During that time, there was a smallpox and cholera epidemic, and Guru Har Krishan helped the suffering by giving aid and fresh water from the well at his house. Soon he too contracted the illness and eventually died on March 30, 1664. Raja Jai Singh later constructed a small tank over the well. Sikhs worldwide now revere its water for its healing properties and take it back to their homes.
The Gurdwara and its Sarovar are now a place of great reverence for Sikhs and a place for a special congregation on the birth anniversary of Guru Har Krishan.
About Gurudwara
The grounds include the temple, a kitchen, a large pond, a school, and an art gallery. As with all Sikh Gurdwaras, they practice the concept of langar, allowing all people, regardless of race or religion, to eat in the Gurdwara kitchen (langar hall). Gursikhs and volunteers prepare the Langar (food) in the Gurdwara kitchen. Visitors are requested to cover their hair and refrain from wearing shoes at the Gurdwara. Inside the compound, foreigners and visitors can find assistance with guides, head scarves, and shoe-minding services, all available free of charge. Anyone can volunteer to help keep the shoes in the shoe-minding room and clean the precincts of the Gurudwara.
The complex also houses a higher secondary school, the Baba Baghel Singh Museum, a library, and a hospital. They have installed air conditioning inside the Gurudwara and the Langar Hall. Additionally, they have constructed a new “Yatri Niwas” and multi-level parking space. A toilet complex is presently under construction. They are also sprucing up the backside of the Gurudwara to provide a better view from the roadside.