Nanded: Gurdwara Tour

It takes about 12 hours precisely by train to reach Nanded from Mumbai (Dadar). Its will also probably be the longest and somewhat tiring day journey (chair car train) ever done by anyone but trust it to be a fun journey as the train halts at few interesting stations for you to capture moments or grab a quick bite before the journey commence at a tiny crowded Nanded station.

Located on the banks of Godavari river Nanded is considered as one of the major place for Sikh pilgrimage. The place has historic and spiritual significance for the Sikhs and their Gurdwaras. In 1708, Guru Gobind Singh the tenth spiritual leader of the Sikhs came over to Nanded, his permanent abode. It was he who preached amongst the Sikhs that there need not be any spiritual leader for them and they should take Granth Sahib as their leader. In 2008, the tercentenary of this occasion, Guru-ta-Gaddi celebrations were held in Nanded. A Gurdwara has also been constructed where Guru Gobind Singh died. It is known as Hazur Sahib Nanded which incidentally was our first halt!

Staying is not at all a problem here. Built by people from the community, there are hundreds of rooms available within the town depending on your budget. However it is highly recommended to book in advance during peak season or festivals. We opted for a place that is a few meters away from the main Gurdwara, called NRI Yatri Nivas which has spacious double bed A/C room for Rs. 400 per night!. The huge complex consists of approximately 150 rooms for people who have travelled for darshan at various Gurdwaras across Nanded.

inside the main Gurdwara

One of the entrance wall decorated with marble inlay work

Langar being distributed at the Hazur Sahib Gurdwara

Hazier Sahib Gurdwara from outside

Hazur Sahib Gurudwara aka Takth Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib (one of the five takth of Sikhs) is a massive structure built at the death place of Guru Gobind Singh. It was built between 1832 and 1837 by order of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

The Gurudwara is a double-storied edifice which has five massive beautiful decorated gates to enter the premises that consist of the main gold-plated dome Gurudwara in the centre, the main langar hall on one end and a langar parcel section on the other end. The inner walls and ceilings of the main Gurdwara is beautifully embellished with intricate lattice work that will sure to take your breath away. The intricate flower and animal motifs all along the inner and outer walls will only make you marvel at the artistic touch this place has to offer. The early morning and late evening Gurbani is highly recommended. Soothing sound of table and harmonium echoes the complex all the time making it a perfect peaceful place to meditate.

One should definitely have the Langar here, its open all through the day and serves unlimited meals consisting of roti, sabji, dal, rice and kheer along with hot cup of chai. Blessing!

The Langar is an open kitchen found in all Sikh Gurdwaras, which provide free meals to visitors and sevadars. The Langar was instituted by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and is open to the public. The food served in the Langar is vegetarian in deference to the food restrictions of visitors of other faiths. Participants in the Langar are served while seated on the floor, a tradition emphasising the equality of all persons. Sharing food is important as the Gurus taught that all Sikhs should share their possessions. All the work involved in preparing the food, serving it and clearing up afterwards is called 'Seva' which means voluntary, selfless service.

Langar Sahib Gurdwara

Langar being served throughout the day

For the main road

Next stop was the Gurudwara Langar Sahib which is an ancient Langar place of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This Gurudwara finds its origin from the fact that have an adulation of Baba Nidhan Singh Ji, who actually had ‘Darshan’ of Guru Gobind Singh Ji along with his Eagle and Horse. Dashmesh pita directed Baba Ji to start the age old tradition of ‘Langar’ at this place by uttering these words “HATH TERA KHISA MERA” which means you should do the work of preparation and distribution that is serving langar among the devotees where as I will take care of expenses. This Gurdwara is a sight in itself. Massive building with decorated windows, very ethnic decoration, of the rooms, facing the main road is the highlight of this place. This place ensures that comfortable accommodation is provided to pilgrims. It has constructed over 1,100 rooms spread over different Yatri Niwases. The langar, as the Gurdwara is named after, is another great additions to this over crowded place. The only thing it lack is a nice open courtyard at the entrance. This Gurdwara is situated at a little walkable distance from Sachkhand Sahib on the bank of Godavari river beside other well known Gurdwara Nagina Ghat.

There are numerous other Gurdwaras across the town, so make sure you are energetic to walk around.

List of historical Gurudwaras in Nanded

1. Gurdwara Nagina Ghat

2.Gurdwara Banda Ghat (Place of Banda Singh Bahaddar)

3. Gurdwara Shikaar Ghat

4.Gurdwara Bowli Sahib

5.Gurdwara Heera Ghat

6.Gurdwara Mata Sahib ji

7.Gurdwara Maal Tekdi

8.Gurdwara Sangat Sahib ji

9.Gurdwara Damdama Sahib (Basmat Nagar, Parbhani)

10.Gurdwara Nanakpur Sahib (Place of Shri Guru Nanak Dev)

11.Gurdwara Mahakal Sahib Gurudwara Mahakaal Saheb Ji

12.Gurudwara Lohgarh Sahib ji

13.Gurudwara Bhajangarh Saheb ji

THINGS TO DO AND REMEMBER:

1. Hire a taxi at Rs.700/- for four hour and go around visiting the 13 Gurdwaras across the city. I said four hours considering you are halting only for about 15-20 minutes at every place.
2. Relax and recharge by the banks of Godavari overlooking Langar Sahib Gurdwara at the sunset.
3. Eat your full at the Langar as the place lack good restaurant for obvious reasons.
4. Walk around the bazaar between the Sachkhand and Langar Sahib Gurdwara to buy souvenirs.
5. Carry comfortable footwear as there is lot of walking around to do.
6. Bargain.

Vintage ceiling fan

Stunning Inlay marble works across the Gurdwaras

Nagina Ghat Gurdwara overlooks the Godavari

By the Godavari Ghats

Although no time is the bad time to visit a temple, the most favourable time to visit this famous shrine would be between November to February when the weather is rather pleasant. The summers here are dry and very hot, and monsoons are usually marked by torrential rainfall, which makes winters the most agreeable season to visit this town. 

the sun sets by the Godavari ghat