Sri Bangla Sahib Gurudwara: Visiting Delhi’s Most Inspiring Temple
A gurudwara is a Sikh temple, and Sri Bangla Sahib is the largest and most prominent gurudwara in Delhi. It is also one of the most important Sikh places of worship in the world because the 8th Sikh Guru stayed in here in 1664.
This is the perfect gurudwara for tourists to visit. It’s very beautiful, but it’s also set up for visitors and welcoming. You don’t need to be Sikh to visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.
I first visited Sri Gurudwara Bangla Sahib after I moved to Delhi in 2018. A Sikh neighbour brought me there, and I have been countless times since then.
The Gurudwara is visited by thousands every day. But visiting on your own can feel intimidating – it’s busy and very big. I’m going to explain everything, so don’t be nervous about going. The Gurudwara is used to visitors and they are extremely welcoming.
Visiting Sri Gurudwara Bangla Sahib: Overview
Sri Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is more than a temple, it is a complex. The gurudwara takes up a whole city block.
Besides the prayer hall, there is a beautiful sarovar (holy pond), two large dining halls, a massive kitchen, library, museum, visitors centre, accommodation for devotees, and MRI and diagnostic centre.
- Hours: Open 24 hours a day – best time to visit is the morning
- Cost: Free
- Location: Ashoka Road in Connaught Place, New Delhi
What To Expect When Visiting Bangla Sahib
This is the busiest Sikh temple in Delhi. The afternoon and weekends are the most crowded. The best time to go is the morning.
All visitors must remove shoes and cover their heads before entering any gurudwara. There are bandanas in bins you can borrow. I cover my hair as soon as I step onto the gurudwara grounds, but you don’t need to until you’re entering the main courtyard near the prayer hall.
Shoes must be removed. There is large secure shoe storage just down the stairs.
There is a visitors centre for tourists at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. If you prefer, you can leave your shoes and get a bandana in there. Some tourists find it easier.
There is a large toilet facility across from the prayer hall in the same building as the sarai niwas (accommodations for devotees).
You should plan on being at the Gurudwara at least an hour. This will give you time to visit the prayer hall, stroll around the sarovar and see the kitchens where they prepare free meals for up to 100,000 people a day.
You can easily spend longer at the Gurudwara if you want, it’s entirely up to you.
Tips for Visiting Sri Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
Sri Bangla Sahib Gurudwara is a very sacred place of worship for the Sikh community. Here’s how to visit the Gurudwara in a culturally respectful way:
- dress conservatively
- remove shoes and cover your head when you arrive
- wash your hands before entering the prayer hall (there are sinks with soap outside)
- walk through the small pool of water at the bottom of the stairs leading to the prayer hall (to wash your feet)
- photography is not allowed inside the prayer hall, or around the sarovar
- when kneeling or sitting in the prayer hall, make sure your feet are not pointing toward the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy book)
- if you accept prasad (blessed offering) on your way out, consume it all – you can share it, but under no circumstances throw it away
If you do something wrong don’t worry, you will likely be gently advised on the correct way. I visited Bangla Sahib 3 or 4 times before I realized I should be washing my hands. Everyone was too polite to say anything.
Having Langar at the Gurudwara
After visiting the prayer hall and sarovar, do what so many Indians do and have langar.
Langar is the free community meal served at gurudwaras. You don’t have to be Sikh or Indian to join, everyone is welcome.
There are two langar halls at Bangla Sahib, one near the prayer hall and one near the sarovar. Before entering the dining hall, you will sit and queue up for the next seating.
During langar everyone sits on the floor and eats the same thing. Sikhs believe everyone is equal in the eyes of God. If you can’t sit on the floor, chairs are available. The food is vegetarian, and delicious.
You don’t have to do anything once you are seated, except drop your tray off once you are done. Volunteers walk up and down the aisles to hand out trays and dish out food.
You can eat as much as you want, but the food is considered blessed and cannot be wasted. Most people eat with their hands (common in India), but spoons are available.
Sri Gurudwara Bangla Sahib feeds 300 people every 15 minutes! On a regular day the temple prepares 30,000 meals. On weekends and holidays they prepare up to 100,000 meals!
The food is prepared by volunteers in a massive kitchen behind the dining hall. Make sure you take a look! All food is donated by the community. My landlady is Sikh, and when we visit the gurudwara together she often stops at a nearby shop to pick up huge bags of rice, dal and tubs of ghee to donate.
Langar is served daily 9:00 am – 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm.
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib History
In Sikhism there are 10 gurus, the first leaders of the Sikh faith. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is special because the 8th guru stayed here, Guru Har Krishnan in 1664.
At that time there was no temple – it was bungalow owned by Raja Jai Singh (bangla is Hindi for bungalow). There was a smallpox epidemic and Guru Har Krishnan nursed the sick at the bungalow and gave them water from the well. The Guru caught the disease and died there. Raja Jai Singh built the Gurudwara in his memory.
One of the most striking features of Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is the sarovar. Guru Har Krishnan healed the sick with this water (it was a well at the time), and it is considered sacred. Don’t be surprised if you see Sikhs standing in the water.
Bangla Sahib has a long history of helping those in need. During Partition in 1947 it was a place of safety and refuge for those fleeing persecution. During the pandemic lockdowns thousands of meals were prepared and delivered to those in need every day.
How To Get To Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is centrally located next to Connaught Place. It’s very easy to get to.
The best way to get to the Gurudwara is by metro, Uber, auto rickshaw, or any combination of these. This is one of the most well known places in Delhi, every driver will know it.
The Delhi metro is an excellent system, don’t hesitate to use it. The nearest station to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is Patel Chowk on the Yellow Line (exit Gate 2). It’s about a 10 minute walk from the metro.
Where To Stay Near the Gurudwara
The Gurudwara is located in New Delhi, one of the nicest areas to stay in. These are my top picks for hotels that are within walking distance of Bangla Sahib:
- Imperial Hotel New Delhi (luxury): Delhi’s finest heritage hotel. My personal favourite hotel in Delhi. Excellent walkable area in Connaught Place.
- Metropolitan Hotel & Spa (mid-range): Excellent value for a 5 star hotel. Fabulous location for exploring Delhi.
- CP Villa Bed & Breakfast (budget): Rooms are simple, but clean and comfortable with private bathrooms. Quiet location near Gol Market.
Last Words on Visiting Sri Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
Sri Bangla Sahib Gurudwara is a very special place in Delhi. It is truly impressive how beautiful it is, and how much good work the Gurudwara does. The entire complex is run by volunteers and from donations made by the public.
They get a lot of tourists at Sri Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. Don’t worry about feeling out of place or not being welcome. The Sikh community are very welcoming, and they are happy to have you visit their Gurudwara.
