|
|
Gurdwara Sisganj
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.
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 you
.........Back |
click
for Other
Tourist
Place
|
