Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib Delhi is among the most visited religious places in Delhi. Located in the most known area of Delhi, Chandni Chowk, this shrine was built to preserve the place where the ninth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Teg Bahadur Ji was decapitated on 11th November 1675 by Aurangzeb’s orders.
The reason behind this was that Guru Teg Bahadur Ji stood for the Kashmiri Pandits, who were unwillingly forced for conversion to Islam. This beautiful and spiritual Gurudwara is a must-visit place for devotees seeking serenity and fulfillment of their wishes.
Let us peep into its details-
History of Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib Delhi-
On the day of 11th November 1675 at this site of present-day Gurudwara, the ninth Guru of the Sikhism, Guru Teg Bahadur Singh was decapitated by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb as a punishment to deny the conversion into the Islamic religion. He stood for the favor of Kashmiri Pandits who were forced religion conversions. The place thus got the name Sis Ganj as “Sis” in Punjabi signifies to someone’s head.
Lakhi Singh Vanjara, one of the disciples of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, took his body away before it was defamed in front of the public and cremated it in his own house by burning the house, where the present-day Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib is situated.
The construction of the Gurudwara was done by Baghel Singh Dhaliwal in the year 1783 within a span of eight months. He was a Sikh military leader who occupied the throne of Delhi on 11th March 1783 and then had settlements with the then Mughal ruler Shah Alam II, who allowed him to construct Gurudwaras at important historical sites in Delhi in exchange for some taxes.
The cut-off head of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji was taken to Anandpur Sahib in Punjab and a shrine named Gurudwara Sisganj Sahib was constructed there by Ranjit Singh Ji at the place where the head of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji was cremated according to the rituals of Sikhism. One of the disciples named Bhai Jaita (renamed Bhai Jivan Singh) did this task of transferring his head to Anandpur Sahib in 1675.
The architecture of Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib Delhi-
The present-day shrine is a two-storeyed building in a rectangular shape with seven kiosks (open pillared-dome) on the top of the building. There is a big kiosk at the center, two small ones near it, and the remaining four at the corners of the building are of medium size. These kiosks are covered with gold metal plating on the domes.
A majestically beautiful large rectangular prayer hall is present within the gurudwara that has a pillared circumambulation path along the boundary and sitting space for the devotees at the center. Spectacular chandeliers and stone artwork enhance the elegance of this divine place. People are devoted in Bhajans and Ardaas to please their god through chanting.
Interior Hall
The shrine also preserves the tree under which he was beheaded and the well whose water he used to have a bath during the tough times of his prison by the orders of Aurangzeb, till date.
The present-day building was constructed after the year 1930 with the combined efforts of about 4000 workers and artisans.
The eleventh guru of Sikhs, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is kept in the main prayer hall of the Gurudwara and is worshipped by people visiting there. Chants and various bhajans are performed during the day to please Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Location of Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib Delhi-
Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib is situated in the capital city of India, New Delhi, in the locality of Chandni Chawk, one of the most famous and oldest settlements of Delhi. It is in close proximity to Delhi’s largest monument, the Red Fort.
How to Reach Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib Delhi?
ADDRESS- Chandni Chowk, Delhi
PIN Code- 110006
Contact No.- +911123285117
Gurudwara Sahib is about 20 km away from the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Thus, it can be reached by taxi within 40 minutes via NH 48, the fastest route.
From New Delhi Railway Station, the shrine is about 3 km far and can be reached within 15 minutes through a taxi on a normal day via Chawri Bazar Road.
The nearest metro station is Chandni Chowk on Yellow Line, about 500 meters from the destination. Another good alternative is the Lal Qila Metro Station on Violet Line, at about the same distance.
Various DTC buses are also available from throughout the city to reach the destination in the cheapest costs of travel.
Best Time to Visit Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib Delhi-
Each and every hour of the day is the best time to have a visit to Gurudwara Sahib. It is a spiritual place, so the best time is when you visit there. Although some added beauty of golden lights can be witnessed during the evening hours and some added peace can be experienced during early morning hours.
Timings of Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib Delhi-
Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib remains open for the whole day. It is treated as God’s home open for all, at all times and everyone is welcomed here. If you wish to have Langar there, then try to visit after 11 am so that the food is ready.
Entry Fee-
No Entry Fee is charged to devotees who visit this pious and religious place. People from every culture and religion are welcomed here without charging them any type of fee. Although visitors offer according to their faith and will in various forms like management services, food, and money.
Travel Tip-
Try to have Langar at the Gurudwara as this food is a gift from God’s side.
Carry a cloth or handkerchief to cover your head before entering the complex, as a note of respect to the Guru Granth Sahib Ji and a mandatory part of Sikhism.
Photography and video shooting are although allowed within the premises but is certainly restricted in the main hall and near the seat of Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
There is a lack of parking facility near the destination, so try to have a visit by public transports like rickshaws and buses, if possible.
Location on Map-
(All Images used in this post are subject to copyright and are originally taken by the author for mesmerisingindia.com)