A gurdwara is a Sikh house of worship where devotees come to pray and meditate. The Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is a prominent Sikh gurdwara located in Delhi and is associated with Guru Har Krishnan, the eighth Sikh Guru. The famous Guru spent several months at the site at which the temple was built. The Sikh temple is also famous for containing a pond (called Sarovar) which contains waters (called Amrit) considered sacred by the Sikhs. The water is thought to have healing powers. The temple was built in 1783 by Sardar Bhagel Singh, a Sikh General responsible for the construction of several other Sikh shrines in Delhi.
The gurdwara was originally a bungalow owned by Raja Jai Singh, a seventeenth century Indian ruler. Guru Har Krishnan resided here in 1664, a year in which Delhi suffered through a terrible smallpox and cholera epidemic. The guru aided the sick in whatever way he could before he too finally succumbed to illness. The Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is located close to Connaught Place in New Delhi, near the intersection of Baba Kharag Singh Marg and Ashok Road. The landmark is instantly recognisable thanks to its magnificent golden domes and the Nishan Sahib, or flagpole.
Delhi is by far the largest city in north India. Part of it, called New Delhi, is the designated capital of the country although both names are used interchangeably. The city is famous for its many monuments, several of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include the Red Fort (Lal Qila) built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, Humayun’s Tomb which is the final resting place of the second Mughal emperor, and the stunning Qutub Complex which houses the famed Qutub Minar, which was the tallest structure when it was built.
The city is also famous for its congestion which can make getting around frustrating at times. Thankfully an expanding metro service is making it easier to avoid traffic and to get to places quickly. It is also helpful to get accommodation with a central location, like The Suryaa New Delhi, which is an exceptional 5 star hotel in New Delhi. Offering a host of facilities and services this New Delhi luxury hotel is well suited for business and leisure travellers alike.
