History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture, Sarovar, Langar Timings, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Gurudwar Bangla Sahib, Delhi, India
Situated in the heart of Delhi’s most coveted commercial centre, The Bangla Sahib Gurudwara offers an experience full of spirituality and peace in the hustle-bustle of Connaught Place. Recognisable with the magnificent golden dome, the holy place sees a footfall of devotees all day, all night. Being one of the most beautifully designed Sikh places of worship in Delhi, the Gurudwara’s popular ‘langar’ (community meals) and ‘sarovar’ (pond) attracts people across religions and nationalities.
The temple’s connotation with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan, makes it one of a kind in Sikhism. Earlier in 1783, it was built as a minor shrine by Sikh General Sardar Baghel Singh in a bungalow compound. The bungalow was one of the private luxurious residences of Amer’s Raja Jai Singh, known as the Jaisinghpura Palace that time. The King is also responsible for supervising and funding the construction work of the nine Sikh shrines in the capital during Mughal Ruler, Shah Alam II’s reign. The Gurdwara complex has now become a site of great reverence for Sikhs for the special congregation held on the birth anniversary of Guru Har Krishan, who resided here during his last years and helped a lot in curing people from the epidemics of the seventeenth century.
The structure of Bangla Sahib is a splendid exemplary of Sikh architecture, in which the all-inclusive building is engraved out of placid white marble, the central dome roofed in solid gold. Intricately designed carvings and inscriptions with many smaller domes can be seen embellished by the front view itself. Since it was a bungalow before, the present Gurudwara still resembles it grandeur and might.
A soaring flagpole called the Nishan Sahib bigheadedly waves the Gurudwara's flag in pride and symbolises the philanthropic activities the Gurdwara Management Authority is involved in, such as elementary education, offering daily communal meals, providing a safe place for the downtrodden – all of which encompasses the very ideals of Sikhism. The grounds of the complex houses several structures within its confines, such as an the kitchen, a generous hospital, art gallery, a secondary school and even a 'Yatri Niwas' for exhausted travellers to refresh themselves. The recently built hospital offers medical services at very affordable prices.
The Gurudwara is open on all days of the week anytime. Langar timings are from 12 PM to 3 PM in the afternoon and 7 PM to 10 PM at night when meals are served to all regardless of race, gender or religion, that too without any charge. The complex is also well-appointed with all niceties such as air conditioning, urinals and multi-parking space for the suitability of the visitors. So an experience at such a place of solace gets accompanied with all the comforts and blessings one can ask for.
Sikh Festivals including Guru Purab, Prakash Utsav and Baisakhi – emanate the complex into a more vibrant place. With a beautiful décor, the festivities are a worth to see here with cultural performances (jaloos) as well as a harmonising message to all communities of people that take part it.
Interesting Facts of Gurudwara Sri Bangla Sahib, Delhi
•The water of the sarovar is considered as having healing properties and is taken back by Sikhs all over the world back to their homes on their visits.
•The Gurudwara in March 2021 inaugurated the cheapest diagnostic centre in its premises with an aim to provide healthcare for the poor at very affordable charges.
•Any adult can volunteer to help and manage crowd in the shoe-minding room, the community kitchen and cleaning the ranges of the Gurudwara.
How to Reach Gurudwar Bangla Sahib Delhi, The Capital of India
Delhi being the capital of India and largest metropolitan area of India, and major tourist destination, of Indiawhere people across the world visits around the year. The nearest metro station to the complex is Patel Chowk on the yellow line route of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. It can also be accessed through the nearby Rajiv Chowk metro station. It is very well connected with all major cities of India via road, rail and air network. Delhi has multiple major railway junction from where you can get train to all region of India. Delhi has domestic and international Airport from where you can get flight to all major cities of India and across the globe. You can find private taxi and public transport as well from both airport to reach to city center. Delhi is located at 46 km from Noida, 40 km from Gurugram, 242 km from Agra, 41 km from Gaziabad, 243 km from Chandigarh. You can get direct buses and train from almost all cities to reach Delhi.
