imported>Gryffindor at 22:09, 17 August 2021

2021-08-17T22:09:12Z

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{{short description|Gurdwara in Delhi, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox religious building
| building_name = Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
| infobox_width =
| image = Front view of Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi.jpg
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| caption = Gurudwara Bangla Sahib as viewed from Main Entrance.{{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=point|zoom=15|frame-align=center|frame-width=220}}
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| location = [[Connaught Place, New Delhi|Connaught Place]], [[New Delhi]], [[India]].
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| religious_affiliation = [[Sikhism]]
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| architecture = yes
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| architecture_style = [[Sikh architecture]]
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| year_completed = 1664 as a bungalow, again rebuilt in 1783, current structure mostly built post 1947
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'''Gurudwara Bangla Sahib''' ({{Audio-nohelp|Gurdwara Bangla Sahib pronunciation.ogg|listen}}) is one of the most prominent [[Sikhism|Sikh]] [[gurdwara]], or Sikh house of worship, in [[Delhi]], India, and known for its association with the eighth [[Sikh Guru]], [[Guru Har Krishan]], as well as the holy river inside its complex, known as the "Sarovar." It was first built as a small shrine by Sikh General Sardar [[Baghel Singh]] in 1783, on the bungalow donated by king [[Jai Singh I|Raja Jai Singh]] of Amer, who supervised the construction of nine Sikh shrines in Delhi in the same year, during the reign of [[Mughal Emperor]], [[Shah Alam II]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharatonline.com/delhi/religious-places/gurdwaras/bangla-sahib.html|title=Gurdwara Bangla Sahib - Delhi Gurdwara Bangla Sahib - Banglasahib Gurduwara New Delhi|website=www.bharatonline.com}}</ref>

It is situated near [[Connaught Place, New Delhi]] on Baba Kharak Singh Marg and it is instantly recognisable by its golden dome and tall flagpole, ''[[Nishan Sahib]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iloveindia.com/indian-monuments/bangla-sahib.html|title=Bangla Sahib - Gurdwara Bangla Sahib Delhi, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara New Delhi India|website=www.iloveindia.com}}</ref> Located next to it is the [[Sacred Heart Cathedral, New Delhi|Sacred Heart Cathedral]].

==History==
[[File:Night view of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib and the Sarovar.jpg|left|thumb|Night view of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib and the ''Sarovar''.]]

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib was originally a [[bungalow]] belonging to [[Jai Singh I|Raja Jai Singh]], an Indian ruler in the seventeenth century, and was known as Jaisinghpura Palace, in ''Jaisingh Pura'', an historic neighbourhood demolished to make way for the [[Connaught Place, New Delhi|Connaught Place]], shopping district.<ref>{{cite news|title=A tale of two cities|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/newdelhi/A-tale-of-two-cities/Article1-740282.aspx|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=1 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702164816/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/newdelhi/A-tale-of-two-cities/Article1-740282.aspx|archive-date=2 July 2015|access-date=27 April 2018 | first=Sidhartha | last=Roy}}</ref> Since Guru Har Kishan stayed at Raja Jai Singh's Banglow (pronouned "bangla" in [[hindi languagehindi]] and [[punabi language|punjab]]) which has now been converted to a gurudwara, now the gurudwara is called the ''Bangla Sahib'' to memorialise Guru Har Rai's stay here.<ref name=bang1/>

The eighth Sikh Guru, [[Guru Har Krishan]] resided here during his stay in Delhi in 1664. During that time, there was a [[smallpox]] and [[cholera]] [[epidemic]], and Guru Har Krishan Ji helped the suffering by giving aid and fresh water from the well at this house. Soon he too contracted the illness and eventually died on 30 March 1664. A small tank was later constructed by Raja Jai Singh over the well, its water is now revered as having healing properties and is taken by Sikhs throughout the world back to their homes.<ref name=bang1>[https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/guru-harkrishan-ji-an-apostle-of-humility/ Guru Harkrishan ji an apostle of humility], Daily Excelsior, 1/8/2021.</ref>

The gurdwara and its ''Sarovar'' are now a place of great reverence for [[Sikhs]], and a place for special congregation on birth anniversary of [[Guru Har Krishan]].

In March 2021, the gurudwara inaugurated the cheapest diagnostic centre with the aim to provide healthcare for the poor. The patients can get an [[MRI scan]] at {{INR|50}}.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Sami |title=MRI scan at just Rs 50: Delhi's Bangla Sahib Gurudwara promises affordable healthcare [details] |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/mri-scan-just-rs-50-delhis-bangla-sahib-gurudwara-promises-affordable-healthcare-details-834068 |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=www.ibtimes.co.in |date=10 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

==Overview==
{{unsourced section|date=March 2020}}
[[File:Group of Nihang Singhs with Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in background.jpg|left|thumb|Sikh devotees at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib]]
The grounds include the Gurudwara, a kitchen, a large (holy) pond, a school, and an art gallery. As with all Sikh [[Gurdwara]]s, the concept of [[Langar (Sikhism)|langar]] is practised, and all people, regardless of race or religion may eat in the Gurdwara kitchen (langar hall). The ''[[Langar (Sikhism)|Langar]]'' (food) is prepared by ''gursikhs'' who work there and also by volunteers who like to help out. At the Gurdwara, visitors are requested to cover their hair and not to wear shoes. Assistance to foreigners and visitors with Guides, head scarves, and shoe-minding service can be found inside the compound and are available free of charge. Anyone can volunteer to help keep the shoes in the shoe-minding room, and cleaning the precincts of the Gurudwara.

The complex also houses a higher secondary school, Baba Baghel Singh Museum, a library, and a hospital. The Gurudwara and the ''langar'' hall are now air-conditioned. A new "Yatri Niwas" (travellers hostel), and multi-level parking space have been constructed. Toilet facilities are available. The space around the back entrance to the Gurudwara is also being spruced up, so as to give a better view from the roadside.
[[File:Bangla Sahib Gurdwara Panorama.jpg|thumb|800px|center|{{center|Panorama of Bangla Sahib Gurdwara and the Sarovar.}}]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commonscat-inline|Gurudwara Bangla Sahib}}
{{portal|India|Architecture}}

* [http://www.npsin.in/mandir/bangla-sahib Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Photo Gallery]
* {{official website|http://banglasahib.org/|name=Unofficial website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100614075748/http://banglasahib.org.in/ Gurudwara Bangla Sahib]

{{Sikhism}}
{{Delhi landmarks|state=collapsed}}
{{coord|28.6267|N|77.2089|E|format=dms|source:kolossus-ukwiki|display=title}}

[[Category:Gurdwaras in Delhi]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in 1783]]
[[Category:18th-century gurdwaras]]

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib - Revision history

imported>Gryffindor at 22:09, 17 August 2021