|
Location: On the main Chandni Chowk road, just opposite Baptist Church, before Sunheri Masjid.
Dedicated to: Guru Tegh Bahadur; the ninth guru of the Sikhs
Famous as: Sikh pilgrim center
Open: On all days
Admission: Free and open to all.
How to Reach: Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this sacred monument, or they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis or metro rail.
Preferred Timings: 2.30 pm-9.30 pm
Photography charges: nil
Nearest Railway Station: Old Delhi Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station: Delhi Main
Functional Metro Station: Delhi Main
Nearest International Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport
Time required for sightseeing: 1 hour
(All data as of July 2005)
Located on the main Chandni Chowk road, just opposite Baptist Church, before Sunheri Masjid lies one of the sacred places of Sikhs in the capital, Gurdwara Sisganj. The gurdwara commemorates the site where on the orders of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Guru Tegh Bahadur; the ninth guru of the Sikhs was beheaded. He was martyred here in 1675 under a banyan tree because he objected to emperor's use of force against the Hindus, who refused to renounce their faith and religion.
To visit the gurdwara, the visitant should leave their shoes outside at the counter and cover their head. Though one can go to the main worship place directly but it would be better if one first visit the 'Information Office', which is near the entrance. From there a member of the Gurdwara Management Committee will accompany and show the visitant all-important places within the gurdwara.
The main worship room of the gurdwara, which is very spacious and flood lit has the Sikh Holy Book, the Guru Granth Sahib under a beautifully carved golden canopy. The sacred book is covered with a large red cloth and has piles of garlands of marigolds at its base. At night, the book is ceremonially carried to a special room in the gurdwara that can be seen through the glass. The book is kept there in a special-resting closet. Near the room is also kept the part of the banyan tree under which the ninth guru was killed. There is also an enclosed structure where the guru was held prisoner before beheading.
Throughout the day religious hymns are sung near the golden canopy and devotees that includes both sexes men and women, come and listen it with devotion. After the prayer, the devotees receive karah, a consecrated food cooked of wheat and ghee as blessings from the gurdwara.
An important feature and attraction of all the gurdwaras are their community kitchens (Guru ka langar), which oppose discrimination based on caste and stress the concept of equality. Here people of any background, religion, caste, color and creed eat together. The community kitchen of this gurdwara too feeds around 2000-4000 people everyday and it is advisable not to miss to taste the good food made under good hygienic conditions.
Special Event / Annual Event: Music and song are considered to be one of the special ways in Sikhism to gain union with God. The singing of 'gurbani', holy songs and reading from their holy book marks the festivals of Sikhs. The best time to experience the festivity is during the birthdays of all their 10 gurus (religious teachers) and especially that of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh. Baisakhi and Bandi Chhor Divas (Diwali) are other festivals when the celebration is at its peak among the community.
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Salimgarh Fort, Kashmeri Gate, St James Church, Dara Shikoh Library, Lothian Cemetery, and Rajghat
Nearby Places to Eat: Karim Hotel, Ghantewala sweet shop, food stalls near Jama Masjid, Paranthewali gali, Natraj hotel, Chor Bizarre of Broadway Hotel, Daryaganj's Flora, Peshwari, Moti Mahal Restaurant, Worker's canteen of Inter-State Bus terminal and many roadside food stalls are there for refreshment
Nearby Shopping Venues: Chandni Chowk (curios, souvenirs, silver and glass bead jewellery) Nai Sarak (books), Chor bazaar (electronic goods), Daryaganj book market (on Sunday) and Chatta Chowk in Red Fort (traditional and contemporary jewellery and handicrafts)
For more information or to book a tour, please enter your query in the form below.
|
