Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਬੰਗਲਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib as viewed from Main Entrance.
Basic information
Location Connaught Place, New Delhi, India.
Affiliation Sikhism
Architectural description
Architectural style Sikh architecture
Completed 1664 as a bunglow, again rebuilt in 1783, current structure mostly built post 1947

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib; (Punjabi: ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਬੰਗਲਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ) is one of the most prominent Sikh gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi, India and known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan, as well as the pool inside its complex, known as the "Sarovar." It was first built as a small shrine 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.[1]

It is situated near Connaught Place, New Delhi on Baba Kharak Singh Marg and it is instantly recognisable by its golden dome and tall flagpole, Nishan Sahib.[2] Located next to it is the Sacred Heart Cathedral.

History

Night view of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib and the Sarovar.
Bangla Sahib Gurdwara Panorama

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib was originally a bungalow belonging to Raja Jai Singh, an Indian ruler in the seventeenth century, and was known as Jaisinghpura Palace, in Jaisingh Pura, an historic neighbourhood demolished to make way for the Connaught Place, shopping district.[3]

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 this house. Soon he too contracted the illness and eventually died on March 30, 1664. A small tank was later constructed by Raja Jai Singh over the well, its water is now revered as having healing properties and is taken by Sikhs throughout the world back to their homes.

The Gurdwara and its Sarovar are now a place of great reverence for Sikhs, and a place for special congregation on birth anniversary of Guru Har Krishan.

Overview

Sikh devotees at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib

The grounds include the Gurudwara, a kitchen, a large (holy) pond, a school and an art gallery. As with all Sikh Gurdwaras, the concept of langar is practiced, and all people, regardless of race or religion may eat in the Gurdwara kitchen (langar hall). The Langar (food) is prepared by gursikhs who work there and also by volunteers who like to help out. At the Gurdwara, visitors are requested to cover their hair and not to wear shoes. Assistance to foreigners and visitors with Guides, head scarves, and shoe-minding service can be found inside the compound and are available free of charge. Anyone can volunteer to help keep the shoes in the shoe-minding room, and cleaning the precincts of the Gurudwara.

The complex also houses a higher secondary school, Baba Baghel Singh Museum, a library and a hospital. The Gurudwara and Langar Hall are now air-conditioned. A new "Yatri Niwas" (Travellers Hostel), and multi-level parking space have been constructed. Toilet facilities are available. The space around the back entrance to the Gurudwara is also being spruced up, so as to give a better view from the roadside.

The Bangla Sahib Gurudwara complex has appeared in several literary works.

References

  1. ↑ Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
  2. ↑ http://www.iloveindia.com/indian-monuments/bangla-sahib.html
  3. ↑ "A tale of two cities". Hindustan Times. September 1, 2011.

Prominent areas at the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib - Nishan Sahib, Sarovar, Baba Baghel Singh Sikh Heritage Museum

Media related to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib at Wikimedia Commons

Coordinates: 28°37′36″N 77°12′32″E / 28.6267°N 77.2089°E / 28.6267; 77.2089

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/22/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.