Our next stop was the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. A Sikh temple.
Some information before we start with photos!
It is one of the most prominent Sikh gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi, India and known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan, as well as the pool inside its complex, known as the "Sarovar."It was first built as a small shrine by Sikh General Sardar Bhagel Singh in 1783, who supervised the construction of nine Sikh shrines in Delhi in the same year, during the reign of Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam II.
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 great reverence for Sikhs, and a place for special congregation on birth anniversary of Guru Har Krishan.
The grounds include the Gurudwara, a kitchen, a large (holy) pond, a school and an art gallery. As with all Sikh Gurdwaras, the concept of langar is practiced, and all people, regardless of race or religion may eat in the Gurdwara kitchen (langar hall). The Langar (food) is prepared by gursikhs who work there and also by volunteers who like to help out. At the Gurdwara, visitors are requested to cover their hair and not to wear shoes. Assistance to foreigners and visitors with Guides, head scarves, and shoe-minding service can be found inside the compound and are available free of charge. Anyone can volunteer to help keep the shoes in the shoe-minding room, and cleaning the precincts of the Gurudwara.
Getting near the entrance, they are working on the sidewalks and entrance area. I was not sure it they were really mugging for the camera or not.
Yes, yes they were!
The golden dome
Very white marble
Yes, we had to remove our shoes and wear these orange head coverings. Mark is rocking his!
The entrance to the temple. The ceiling is beautiful
The Holy Pond
the marble carving
Some of the volunteers preparing food.
Serving food to anyone who wants it. It is vegetarian, so no one's dietary restrictions are violated
The kitchen. It was HOT in there. they made 15,000 na'an ever day. Vegetable curry in the huge pots.
Mark accidentally took a photo of the inside of the temple
The school and the library
I am sorry I have such a sour expression. I was enjoying myself. I have to remember my sun glasses!
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