Gurudwara
Bangla Sahib is one of the most revered places of worship in Delhi. Its
gold-plated dome and white facade tower above Bangla Sahib Road
effortlessly. On holidays this place is packed with people of all
castes, creed and religion. The Gurdwara is the erstwhile Delhi home of
Raja Jai Singh of Jaipur where Guru Harkishan Dev Singh stayed for a
while when he came to meet Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1664. The king
and his son then went to receive Guru Harkishan Dev on the outskirts of
Delhi. At that time the place was known as Jai Singh Palace hence its
name as Bangla Sahib (Bungalow is called Bangla in Hindi). Location
Bangla Sahib Gurudwara is located in Connaught Place, New Delhi, exactly on the east side intersection of Ashoka Road and Baba Kharak Singh Marg near YMCA.
Special Feature
The two important features of Gurudwara Bangla Sahib are Sangat congregations, where one can sit and listen to Gur-Bani and Pangat or community kitchen also known as Guru-ka-langar which feeds thousands everyday.
Blessed Bastion
When Guru Harkishan Dev came to Delhi, the city was severely under smallpox and cholera epidemic. Guru was filled with pity and made every effort to help the people. A large number of people got cured after drinking the water given by him. They started believing that the water was divinely blessed. Even today people come from different countries take the holy water from here to their homes. The place was later donated by Jai Singh for converting it into a Gurdwara.
The Complex
The
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib complex includes a higher secondary school for
girls, Baba Baghel Singh Museum, an art gallery, a bookstall, a library,
a hospital and the holy pond. Its main hall is kept simple, except for
the open central shrine, covered by a small golden dome sporting a
sculpted bronze cupola. Devotional music is relayed throughout the
complex continuously. Beneath this dome are the silk sheets, spread out
and covered with flowers. This is where the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy
book of the Sikhs, is placed. Since the Gurudwara was an erstwhile
palace, it has a natural royal look which induces instant devotion. The outer dome is coated with gold donated by people from all over the world. A larger tank measuring 225 x 235 ft, an 18 ft wide Parikrama and 12 ft wide verandah along its three sides has been constructed entirely with people's contribution and voluntary labor.
To Remember
Both men and women must keep their heads covered as a sign of respect for Guru Harkishan. You can buy the famous 'Kada Prasad' to distribute amongst your family and friends.