|
In Delhi, the Gurudwara Sisganj, the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, and
the Rakabganj Gurudwara are popular pilgrimage sites. The Gurudwara
Sisganj marks the spot where guru Teg Bahadur was beheaded. It
is said that during Aurangzeb's rule, the priests held special
ceremonies to find ways to combat his forced conversions to Islam.
It was prophesied that these conversions would stop only when
a great man sacrificed himself. The priests then approached Guru
Teg Bahadur who asked about the identity of this great man. His
son Guru Gobind Singhji then retorted 'Who can be greater than
you, Father?' So then Guru Teg Bahadur went to meet Aurangzeb.
Offered a choice between death and conversion by Aurangzeb, the
Guru chose death. Thus he gave up his head but did not give up
his faith. At all the Sikh pilgrimage sites, the most palpable
feelings are the strong sense of community and service. In fact,
one of the biggest features of this religion is the community
building of the gurudwara wherein each Sikh offers his labor,
skill or any other contribution he can make in terms of finance
or material
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib:
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi was once a superlative and large
bungalow of Raja Jai Singh of Amber (now Jaipur) who commanded
great respect and honor in the court of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
It has been converted in to a holy shrine since the eighth Guru
Sri Har Krishan accepted the invitation of the king and stayed
here for a few months. During his stay in Delhi, the Guru spent
most of his time in serving the humble and the sick and directed
Diwan Dargah Mal to use the daily offerings made to him by his
devotees for the welfare of the poor. Thus, he won many admirers
and there were stories that told about his healing powers spreading
throughout the city.
There is a hospital in its basement run by Delhi Sikh Gurudwara
Management Committee. It also has 225 x 235 ft tank with 18 ft
wide Parikarma and 12 ft wide verandah on its three sides constructed
entirely with people's contribution and voluntary labor of the
devotees. An Art Gallery is also located in the basement showcasing
paintings that depict historical events related to Sikhism.
Gurdwara Nanak Piao:
Gurudwara Nanak Piao enshrines the place where the first Sikh
Guru Sri Nanak Dev camped during his visit to Delhi in June 1505.
It was said that people of Delhi flocked to meet him in large
numbers to pay homage to him and made precious offerings but the
Guru distributed all the offerings, thus collected, among the
poor and needy. It was called 'piao' as Guru himself served water
here to the thirsty who came here from far-way places. The well
from which he served water is still well maintained and fully
protected.
As a legend goes, Emperor Sikander Shah Lodhi heard of a miracle
by Guru Nanak that he performed here of reviving a dead elephant.
He requested him to revive his royal elephant that had died. But
the Guru refused to oblige him and thus, he imprisoned him. It
is said that while he was in prison, a great earthquake shook
the capital on July 3, 1505. It was said that it was because of
the ill behavior of the emperor, that Nanak has cursed the city.
The Chisti Sufi saints and the prison officials intervened and
at last, the Emperor ordered the release of the Guru Nanak along
with many other prisoners, on his request.
Gurdwara Rakab Ganj:
On November 11, 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur's head was cut off in
public in Chandani Chowk, on the orders of Aurungzeb. It is said
that such a dust storm ensued just after the event that nothing
could be seen and everything was in dark. It was then, when Guru's
disciple Bhai Jaita, a Rengreta Sikh, saw his chance and took
away the head of the great martyr and escaped to Anandpur Sahib
in Punjab where it was cremated with proper ceremony. Almost at
the same time, Bhai Lakhi Shah Banjara and his son, Bhai Naghaiya,
got hold of the Guru's body and placed it in a ox-driven cart
under the cotton bales and escaped to their village, Raisina.
This place later came to be known as Rakab Ganj as most of the
residents were employed in manufacturing straps for the cavalry
of Mughal Army. In saving the body of their peer from the hands
of the enemy, they cremated the holy body by burning their own
house and put his ashes in a gagar (urn) and buried it on the
spot. A mosque was later built there.
In 1783, Sardar Bhagel Singh along with 30,000 Sikh warriors
claimed this spot as their own sacred place. Muslims contested
this claim and it was decided that Sikhs would reconstruct the
mosque on their expense in case the urn containing the ashes of
the respected Guru was not found buried beneath. However, the
urn was found and thus a magnificent Gurdwara, at a cost of 25
lakh rupees and 12 years of time, was built by the Sikhs there
to keep up the memory of the great Guru who made supreme sacrifice
for the freedom of worship, belief and expression.
Gurdwara Sis Ganj:
Gurdwara Sis Ganj is a famous Sikh pilgrimage, which was built
on the land where the Sikh Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, was martyred
in 1675 on the orders of the Mughal emperor Aurungzeb. It is said
that suddenly after this unfortunate event, the skies were overcast
by the clouds and seeing their chances, Guru's disciple Bhai Jaita,
a Rengreta Sikh, took away his head and escaped to Anandpur Sahib
in Punjab while Bhai Lakhi Shah Banjara and his son, Bhai Naghaiya,
took the Guru's body and cremated it in their home in the Raisina
village, where the Gurudwara Rakab Ganj stands today.
A century later, in 1783, Baba Baghel Singh claimed the place
as the sacred spot of Sikhs and constructed a shrine here. One
can still see the trunk of the tree under which the Guru was martyred,
which has been well preserved along with the well, where the great
Holy Spirit took his daily bath while he was in prison.
Gurdwara Majnu Ka Tila:
Gurdwara Majnu-ka-Tila is positioned on a hillock on the right
bank of river Yamuna in Delhi. It is said that in the times of
Sultan Sikander Shah Lodhi, a Muslim hermit used to live a secluded
life here and helped people cross the river in his boat free-of-charge.
His wish to see the glimpse of God was so great that he was always
lost in his own thoughts. Thus, the people nicknamed him as 'Majnu',
the well-renowned Persian lover who became symbolic of intense
love and passion. He attained enlightenment with the blessings
of Guru Nanak. His hermitage came to be known as Majnu-ka-Tila
(the hilllock of Majnu).
This hermitage had the honor of visits of other Gurus and their
devout disciples and became a famous pilgrimage place for the
Sikhs. The main personalities who graced the place with their
divine presence were Shri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji, the sixth Guru,
Shri Ram Rai, the son of the seventh Guru Har Rai, General Baghel
Singh, who built the first small structure of shrine here. The
maintenance of the shrine was done by the income from the Jagir
endowed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh who also built a tiny, old marble
Gurdwara that can still be seen today. The devotees constructed
Gurudwara in its present massive form in 1950.
|
|
YOUR ITINERARY for DELHI GURUDWARAS
(DELHI - AMRITSAR - DELHI (4 Days/3 Nights) )
DAY 1. Arrive in Delhi
Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. After lunch half day visit
to Gurudwara Sisganj, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib and Gurdwara Rakab
Ganj and overnight at hotel.
DAY 2. Delhi City Tour & Transfer
to Amritsar (450 Kms, 6 Hrs.)
Sight seeing tour of Delhi. The Red Fort, Mosque Jama Masjid,
The Bustling Chandni Chowk market, Rastrapati Bhawan, Raj Ghat,
India Gate, Qutub Minar and Himayun Tomb are the famous monuments
of Delhi. In the evening transfer to railway station to board
train for Amritsar. Reach Amritsar, transfer to hotel. Dinner
in the hotel. Overnight at Amritsar.
DAY 3. Amritsar City Tour with Ind-Pak
Border
After Breakfast, move for half day local city tour covering the
Golden Temple, Jalianwala Memorial, Durgiana Temple and Maharaja
Ranjit Singh Museum. In the afternoon come back to the hotel.
Lunch in the hotel. After lunch take rest for three four hrs.
In the evening visit to Ind/Pak. Border for Flag Retreat/Changing
of Guard Ceremony. Later come back to the hotel. Dinner in the
hotel. After dinner visit to Golden Temple for night Holy Book
Ceremony (See the Real beauty of Golden Temple under lights).
Later come back to the hotel. Overnight at Amritsar.
DAY 4. Visit of Gurudwaras Surrounding
to Amritsar & Transfer to Delhi
After Breakfast, visit of surrounding Sikh Temples (Gurudawaras)
to Amritsar. In the afternoon transfer to railway station to board
train for Delhi. Reach Delhi. Transfer to Airport.
|