History of the shrine
Bangla Sahib has important history attached to itself, and it is believed that the waters of the Sarovar here have miraculous healing properties. The Gurudwara was once a bungalow belonging to Raja Jai Singh in the 17th century and was known as Jaisinghpura Palace at that time. When the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan visited Delhi in the year 1664, he stayed over at the palace itself. Due to an unforeseen turn of events, there was an outbreak of cholera and smallpox in the region which claimed a number of victims.
In accordance with the teachings of Sikhism, Guru Har Krishan dedicated his services to the suffering by giving fresh water from the well, the healing powers of which cured the diseased. Unfortunately, he contracted the same, as a result of which he died on March 30, 1664. Raja Jai Singh constructed a small tank over the waters of the well, and it is now believed to heal all kinds of diseases and health problems. It is taken away in bottles as souvenirs by devotees coming to Bangla Sahib from all over the world.
The Architecture of Bangla Saheb
In addition to being a revered place of worship, the edifice of Bangla Sahib is a magnificent example of Sikh architecture. The entire building is carved out of delicate white marble, with the central dome covered in solid gold leaves. The front wall is embellished with intricated projected carvings and has several smaller domes as well. The Nishan Sahib is a towering flagpole which proudly waves the Gurudwara's flag. The grounds of the Gurudwara has a number of structures within its boundaries, such as an art gallery, the communal kitchen, a higher secondary school and even a 'Yatri Niwas' for tired pilgrims to relax and refresh themselves. The Gurudwara is also equipped with all amenities such as air conditioning, toilets and multi-parking space for the convenience of the visitors.
Langar at Bangla Sahib
Nobody sleeps hungry under the blessings of the divine soul. The Gurudwara has a Langar Hall, where meals are provided for all regardless of race, caste, gender or religion, and that too without any charges. The community meals are provided from 12:00 AM - 11: 45 PM and are open to everyone who visits the place. You can also render your services to the Almighty by helping out in the langar kitchen, which is believed to be one of the most blessed prayer services in the shrine.
Festivals at Bangla Sahib
Being an important Sikh pilgrim site, festivals here are celebrated with great fervour and vigour. The yearly festivals begin with Prakash Utsav, which is a celebration of the birth of Guru Gobind Singh who was the tenth Sikh Guru. Baisakhi, which is a celebration of the harvest season is also celebrated here by thousands of believers. Guru Purab or the birth of Guru Nanak Dev and the birth anniversary of Guru Har Krishan are other major festivals celebrated here.
The Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Experience
Wrapped in the mystical divinities of the Almighty, Bangla Sahib is the perfect place for anyone looking for spiritual awakening away from the materialism of the world. You can attend the prayer services here or simply spend some quiet time along the banks of the Sarovar. You can also offer to help out in the communal Langar kitchen and serve your fellow devotees. You can also go through the texts in the Gurudwara's library and learn more about the Sikh faith.
How to Reach Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
The Gurudwara is located in Connaught Place, also known as the heart of Delhi. One can easily reach here via Blue line as well as Yellow line metro. Step down at Rajiv Chowk if you are travelling by a blue line metro. Furthermore, take an auto-rickshaw to reach the Gurudwara which is 2.8 kilometres away from the station. Patel Chowk metro station is the nearest metro station on the Yellow line. It is situated at a distance of 2 kilometres from Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. This attraction has a dedicated bus stop as well, so you can get off there and walk a distance of about 1 kilometres to reach your destination. Alternately, you can hire a cab yo reach Gurudwara Bangla Sahib as well.
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Tips
1. Do not enter the Gurudwara bare head. You are strictly required to cover it.2. Wear something which covers you completely from the shoulders to the area beneath the knees.3. In summers, visit the Gurudwara either in the early morning or the evening as these premises are a bit cooler than the afternoon times.4. Alcohol and tobacco are strictly prohibited.
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