A magnificent and spacious bungalow in Delhi owned by Raja Jai Singh Amber (Jaipur) who commanded great respect and honour in the court of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb now enjoys the status of a holy shrine called Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. The eighth Guru Sri Harkishan had stayed here for a few months as guest of Raja Jai Singh. Since then it has become a place of pilgrimage for both, Hindus and Sikhs. They pay their respect to the memory of Guru Harkrishan, nominated as successor by the seventh Guru, Sri Har Rai. He passed away on October 6, 1661 A.D.
One of the most important historical and sacred pilgrimage destinations of the Sikh comunity, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib.

Sarovar - Amrut and Healing Power
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib was originally a bungalow belonging to Raja Jai Singh, an Indian ruler in the seventeenth century, and was known as Jaisinghpura Palace.
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 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 March 30, 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.
The Gurdwara and its Sarovar are now a place of pilgrimage for both Sikhs and Hindus, and a place for special congregation on birth anniversary of Guru Har Krishan and death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
The pond known as the "Sarovar", whose water is considered holy by Sikhs and is known as "Amrit".
Later the architecturally impressive palace was dedicated to the memory of the Guru and has been a place of worship since then. Every day more than seven thousand devotees and visitors come to worship in this Sikh holy shrine.

Gurdwara Complex
The large main hall has an open central shrine, where a sculpted bronze cupola hangs over a smaller golden dome under which silk sheets are spread out and covered with flowers. This is where the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs, is placed. Devotional music is played continuously and relayed through the complex.
The Gurdwara complex has a higher secondary school, a museum, a bookstall, a library and a hospital. There is also a holy pond in the complex where people take holy dips and pray to the Guru. The birth of Guru Hari Krishan Sahib and the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh are celebrated here with great reverence.
The two important features of this temple are Sangat congregations and Pangat or community kitchen also known as Guru-ka-langar. Located in the east of the main complex, the community kitchen provides food to all devotees, pilgrims and visitors. More than seven thousand people are served free food by this community kitchen every day.

Precautions:
Visitors need to take off their shoes, cover their head with a scarf and wear clothes that cover the legs and shoulders to enter the main complex. Upon entering the shrine where the holy book is placed, Sikh devotees bow before the Guru Granth Sahib, before finding a place to sit within the prayer hall. Visitors are expected to display their respect to this sacred text. Information regarding the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is offered at the visitors information office.

Location
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is situated near Connaught Place, New Delhi and is instantly recognisable by its stunning golden dome and tall flagpole, Nishan Sahib.

Source: Wikipedia

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