Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

Vital Information for Visitors

Address:

Ashoka Road, Connaught Place, Next to Grand Post Office, New Delhi - 110001

Open & Close:

From 12:01 AM to 11:59 PM

Entry Fees:

No Entry Fee

Duration:

Approx 1 Hour

In 1783, it was under the pressure of a Sikh leader, who held the Red Fort, the emperor Shah Alam permits Sikh temple’s construction. The Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, raised in the late 18th century, is the largest Sikh Temple, called GURUDWARA, in the city. It always oozes out the ever prevailing atmosphere of devotion. Prayers, prostrations and offerings are made ritually by the many faithful who flock to the Guru Granth Sahib , the holy book. A small museum tells the story of the Sikh community and its ten founding Gurus.

In white marble, topped by a golden dome and decorated with a large pool for ablutions of the faithful, it was built to commemorate the visit of 8th Guru Harkrishan in 1664.

At the entrance of the shrine, shops offer traditional devotional items: copies of the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy book of Sikhism), daggers, swords, bracelets (attributes required of the faithful) and CD of religious songs. Do not hesitate to contact the reception where they give you a thousand explanations of the religion founded by Guru Nanak. Stop for a moment in the main prayer hall to listen to the hymns of the faithful, accompanied to the portable harmonium and tabla. Then, go in the adjacent museum (free admission). It presents the history of the Sikhs through paintings of little value, but the realism could not be more bloody. Finally do not miss the own refectory to all Sikh temples (or langar). At mealtimes, the faithful sit on the ground in rows, and volunteers serve their dal and chapati. This common meal symbolizes the unity of the community and the theoretical absence of the concept of castes. On leaving, admire the basin, blessed by the Guru eighth. Water has healed, it seems, people with syphilis and cholera. Still in business, it continues to be venerated by the faithful.