Gurdwara Bangla Sahib

Gurdwara, one of the most popular shrines of the Sikhs in India, is situated in capital city of Delhi. The site of the Gurudwara once housed a large and splendid bungalow of Raja Jai Singh of Jaipur. The eighth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Sri Harkishan, stayed in the bungalow for a few months, as a guest of Raja Jai Singh. From that time onwards, the place became a revered pilgrimage amongst both Sikhs as well as Hindus. The elder brother of Guru Sri Harkishan, Baba Ram Rai, got agitated when he got the news that Harkishan had been appointed as the spiritual head of the Sikhs.

After making futile attempts to influence leading Sikhs of Delhi and Punjab, he approached Emperor Aurangzeb. The emperor summoned Guru Harkishan to verify whether he was indeed superior and more spiritual than Ram Rai. During that time, both Raja Jai Singh and his son Raja Ram Singh were in Delhi. The Sikhs approached them and they agreed to lend them all help they could. Raja Jai Singh persuaded Guru Sri Harkishan to come to Delhi and at the same time, convinced Aurangzeb to let Harkishan stay as Jai Singh's guest till his supremacy was established.

Guru Sri Harkishan stayed in the bungalow of Jai Singh and during his stay; he continued to serve the humble, the sick and the destitute. Soon, the talk of his healing powers spread. Impressed, Aurangzeb recognized him as the eighth Guru of the Sikhs. Raja Jai Singh later got a small tank constructed over the well in the bungalow. The water of the tank (Sarovar) is believed to have miraculous healing powers and most of the people coming to the Gurdwara make sure to take a dip in the holy water.

People also carry the water (called amrit) to their home, in order to cure their ailments. The main hall of the Gurdwara is quite large and has a small golden dome, which is adorned with a sculpted bronze cupola. The eastern side of the Gurudwara comprises of the community kitchen hall, which is known as the "Langar". Everyday, free food is provided to all the devotees that come to the Gurdwara. Bangla Sahib Gurdwara of New Delhi also runs a higher secondary school, Khalsa Girls School, in an adjacent building.

There is a hospital in the basement of the complex, which is run by Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee. The basement also houses an Art Gallery, with a rich collection of paintings depicting historical events connected with Sikh history. Last but not the least, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara also has a library, inside its complex. The birth anniversary of Guru Sri Harkishan Sahib is celebrated every year at the Gudwara. You may visit Gurdwara Bangla Sahib of Delhi at any time of the day and you will hear the soothing Gurbani (devotional music) echoing through the surroundings.

Location: New Delhi

Gurdwara Anandpur Sahib

Anandpur Sahib, the holy city of Bliss, as the name translates, is the second most importaqnt centre of Sikh religion. Its foundation was laid by the ninth Guru,Teg Bahadur Sahib, in 1664 AD. From here eleven years later, he left for Delhi to the court of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb to plead for greater religious tolerance and an end to religious persecution. Here his severed head was brought to his son and family. It was here the Khalsa, or the Pure, was born under the leadership of the tenth Guru, Gobind Singh Sahab, on 30 March, 1699. The important places of interest are: Gurudwara Sri Sis Ganj built over the site where the severed head of Guru Teg Bhadur Sahib was cremated; Gurudwara Sri Kesgarh Sahib standing at the place where the five brave followers of Guru Gobind Singh offered their heads and the Khalsa Panth was born (it is also one of the five seats of religious authority), Gurudwara Damdama Sahib marking the site where Gobind Singh was proclaimed the tenth Guru; various forts and fortresses; and the museum housed in the Gurudwara Keshgarh Sahib displaying some of the weapons and arms associated with Guru Gobind Singh and others.