Interesting Facts About Bangla Sahib Gurudwara

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is located in the heart of Delhi near to Rajiv Chowk Metro Station. It is basically located near Connaught Place. Yes, one of the most elegant architecture of Connaught Place. It is the most visited and prominent gurudwara of Sikh community in Delhi. If you want to get introduced to the eternal connection with God. It is one of the best places to visit.

I am just trying to highlight some interesting facts of Bangla sahib –

It was a bungalow – Yes it was a bungalow, Built for Raja Jai Singh in 1664. When the 8^th Sikh Guru Guru HarKishan Singh Ji came to Delhi in 1664. He was a guest of Raja Jai Singh and his present age at that time was only 8. Yes 8 years!!!

At that time Delhi was suffering from the smallpox epidemic. Guru HarKishan Ji cured the sufferers by giving fresh water from the well located in the bungalow. It is believed that he had a healing touch which helped in curing thousands of people.

Unfortunately he took the illness upon himself and died in the same bungalow on 30^th march 1664.

Now, in 1783, Sardar Baghel Singh who was Sikh military general at that time, led a huge Sikh army and captured Delhi.

Sardar Baghel Singh was responsible for establishing 8 Gurudwara in Delhi. Bangla sahib is one of them.

He established the Gurudwara on that place only where Guru HarKishan Ji cured the sick people.

And the Sarovar which you can see on the back side of the gurudwara is the same well from which he cured people’s illness.

The water is considered as holy by Sikhs and they call it “Amrit”.
This is considered as one of the sacred gurudwara by Sikhs. A special congregation is done on birth anniversary of Guru HarKishan Ji.

Langar is served in this gurudwara regardless of race or religion. The kitchen is running 24 hours and it is estimated that it serves at least 8000 people daily which generally has dal chawal, sabji roti.

This gurudwara also has an assistance to visitors for scarves and shoe racks which is being served free of charge.People volunteer for helping in shoe keeping and cleaning the Gurudwara premises.

You will also find a gorgeous golden dome which is being made up of a combination of eight metals.(Also termed as ASHTADHATU).

On entrance you can find following scripture: 
 ਸ੝ਰੀ ਹਰਿ ਕਿਸ਼ਨ ਧਿਆਈਝ ਜਿਸ ਡਿਠੇ ਸਭਿ ਦ੝ਖਿ ਜਾਇ॥
which translates to :
(And then I reflect on) the most Venerable Guru HarKishan, seeing whom all the sufferings melt away.

You can find lot of fishes small and big in the Sarovar.

It is estimated around 15,000 people visit the gurudwara on normal days and on Saturdays and Sundays you can find a visitor count doubling and sometimes tripled. And on Sikh festivals this count reaches to 100K.

You will find an art museum within the premises which has artefacts of Sikh history. You will also find manuscripts of Sukhmani Sahib and Japji Sahib to a handwritten Mool Mantar by Guru Arjan Devji and a miniature Granth Sahib, there is a colourful account of Sikh gurus and their childhood on canvases.

This architecture is strong pillar and symbol of rich Sikh tradition and culture.