Gurdwara Sis Ganj in Delhi

Travel to India > Delhi > What to See in Delhi > Gurdwara Sis Ganj in Delhi

Gurdwara Sis Ganj is located in the Chandni Chowk area of Delhi. It has a lot of prominence for the Sikh community. Chandni Chowk is one of the oldest areas of Delhi and the presence of this Gurdwara in the middle of the area proves that it is actually a very old establishment. The popularity of this Gurdwara is very high among Sikhs as well as tourists visiting Delhi.

History of Gurdwara Sis Ganj

The history of this Gurdwara is so bloody and shocking that anyone will be tempted to visit this shrine. The Gurdwara Sis Ganj is built at the sight where the Ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur was beheaded. Aurangzeb, the Mughul ruler, wanted the Guru to convert to Islam but when he resisted Aurangzeb ordered him to be beheaded. The Gurdwara was constructed in 1675, by Baba Baghel Singh at the same place where the Guru was beheaded. Because of this story the Gurdwara was named "Sis Ganj", "Sis" meaning head. Since then this Gurdwara has been a noted pilgrimage for Sikhs.

The scene was so bloody and horrible that no one tried to step forward and touch Guru's body. Later his body and head were carried by two of his disciples. The body was carried by Lakhi Shah Vanjara who cremated Guru's body by putting it inside his own house and burning the house. Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib was constructed at this site. The severed head of Guru Teg Bahadur was carried by Bhai Jaita to Anandpur Sahib and later cremated by Guru Govind Singh, the son of Guru Teg Bahaur, and the Tenth Sikh Guru.

The Gurdwara still has the Banyan tree under which the Guru was beheaded. The well where Guru Ji used to take his bath also exists inside the Gurdwara. It is also believed that the inner platform of this shrine is the Chakka Nanki, or the platform where the head of Guru Ji was kept after beheading.

The main hall of the Gurdwara is a large hall. It has a bronze canopy in the middle under which the Guru Granth Sahib or the holy book of Sikhs is kept. Gurdwara also has an enclosed structure where the Guru was kept before being beheaded.

The Gurdwara is always resonating with holy songs and priests keep singing Gurbani, or holy songs. Baisakhi and Diwali have special celebrations at the Gurdwara. Special events like the Birthday of the ten Gurus are also celebrated at the Gurdwara.

Like a true Gurdwara, Sis Ganj Gurdwara also serves pure and delicious "langar" food cooked in its community kitchen. The usual 'prasad' is known as kadha Prasad, which is actually an Indian dessert.

Gurdwara Sis Ganj is where the essence of Sikhism lies. It is a must visit in Delhi. The Gurdwara is not only popular among Sikhs but also among all the tourists who are enamored by the devotion and sanctity of this place.