Delhi’s list of tourist attractions is incomplete without the mention of
Bangla Sahib Gurdwara. Located on Baba Kharak Singh Marg, near
Connaught Place, this prominent Sikh shrine is alive with visitors and
tourists all the year round.
The name — Bangla Sahib — hardly matters to the devout, but a general visitor is curious about its origin. This
was originally Jaisinghpura Palace, a haveli of the Jaipur kings. It
was in 1664 that Sawai Raja Jai Singh of Amber (Jaipur) hosted Guru Hari
Krishan — the boy prophet who became the eighth Sikh Guru in 1661.
“It was a typical haveli and a bangla (an enclosure especially made
for special guests) was erected for the guru. The place of guruji sangat
(where he addressed the devotees) is now the takht sahib (decorated
platform on which Guru Granth Sahib is kept),” says Gyani Kuldeep Singh
of the gurdwara.
The guru stayed for about 8-10 months at a time of cholera and
chicken pox epidemics. “He sat with his feet dipped in a small pond of
water, which people — both Hindus and Muslims — partook and was saved.
It is still there next to the shrine,” Singh said.
After Independence, the place saw rapid changes. An artificial pond
was added. Beautiful golden filigree work adorning the sanctum sanctorum
were also put in place.
with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINk
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