Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib – Chandni Chowk – Delhi – Part – 1

As I am from Delhi , whenever I get time I always visit Chandni Chowk area not for enjoyment just for doing the Darshan in Gurudwara. It really relaxes me and makes me feel rejuvinated. However , from the last six months I had not visited the Sis Ganj Gurdwara because of the busy schudule. When the Metro was not there , we used to go by car in such crowded Chandni Chowk. But after the Metro reaching there we always go there by Metro. Going by car to Chandni Chowk takes about 1:30 min fom my place but by metro it takes just 45 min. For the same reason I opted for the Metro. I was with my family. We started from Rohini East Metro station till Kashmiri Gate station. Then from there we took the underground Metro till Chandni Chowk. The Gurdwara is at a walking distance from the Metro Station. However one can also opt for the Rickshaws.


View of Gurdwara from outside.

GURUDWARA SIS GANJ SAHIB
This Gurdwara is one of the oldest and the historical Gurdwaras of Delhi .The Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib is built at the site in the Chandni Chowk area of Old Delhi. It is also one of the most famous Gurdwaras of Delhi. Even my great grand parents used to visit the Gurdwara in their times.Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib was built to commemorate the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur.


Outside view


The parking for the Gurudwara

Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib is built , where the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded on the orders of the Mughal emperor in 1675 A.D., Aurangzeb, for refusing to convert to Islam. Actually Aurangzeb wanted Guru Teg Bahadur Ji to leave Sikhism religion and get converted into Islam. Then Guru Tegh Bahdur Ji refused for the religion conversion. Then Aurangzeb gave him the option for either convert the religion or they will cut their head. Guru Ji opted for the second option . At that time Aurangzeb cut Guru Ji’ s head or Sis.It is said that when Guru Tegh Bahadur died, no one had the courage to pick up his body.Suddenly, it started raining heavily.
Before his body could be quartered and exposed to public view, it was stolen under the cover of darkness by one of his disciples.Lakhi Shah Vanjara one of his followers , brought Guru Ji’s body to his house and
then burnt his house to cremate the Guru’s body. This place is marked by another Gurdwara, Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib. The head was taken to Chakk Nanaki in Anandpur Sahib.After almost a century, Baba Baghel Singh, a devotee of Guru Teg Bahadur, discovered the site where Guruji was beheaded. He was the one who built the Sisganj Gurdwara. The well where Guruji took his daily bath, while being imprisoned, is also there in the Sis Ganj Gurdwara. Then, there is the enclosed structure where Guruji was held captive as a prisoner before his beheading.There is also a the trunk of the banyan tree under which the Guru was martyred.


The first entry of the Gurudwara

Before entering the Gurudwara , one has to cover your head. The entry of Gurdwara is marked by the Juta Ghar or the Shoe Place for removing your shoes.


The Juta ( Shoes ) Ghar

Moving further , we reach the Karha Prasad place .

Then we enterd into the main hall. A truly divine feeling. The Guru Granth Sahib Ji ( The religious Book ) is kept under this Gold Cabinet or we say it the Sone ka Chather.


If you all can see there is a camera installed. Actually a News Channel does Live recording of the Gurbani and the Kirtan everyday in the morning and evening. My family everyday watch this live recording in the house does doing the visual Darshan daily.


The Ragis doing the Kirtan

After sitting there for an hour we moved further.


This is the Shahidi Asthan of Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji. Actually one has to walk down a few steps. This is the place called as the Shahidi Sthan of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji. Guru Teg Bahadur was beheaded by an executioner called Jalal-ud-din Jallad, who belonged to the town of Samana in Haryana. The spot of the execution was under a banyan tree

Guru Ji’s head was carried by Bhai Jaita, a disciple of the Guru, to Anandpur where the nine-year old Guru Gobind Singh Ji cremated it.


The second entry for the Gurudwara

Just at the opposite side of the Gurudwara at the Fountain Chowk , is the museum called as Bhai Mati Das Bhai Sati Das Bhai Dyala Museum.Then we visited the Museum.

Actually Bhai Mati Das , along with his younger brother Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Dyal Das, all disciples of Guru Teg Bahadur, were executed in the Chandni Chowk under the orders of emperor Aurangzeb.
Mati Das while standing erect was tied between two posts. He was asked if he had any parting words, to which Mati Das answered, “I request only that my head be turned toward my Guru as I am executed.” Two executioners placed a double-handed saw on his head. Mati Das serenely uttered “Ek Onkar” and started reciting the Japji Sahib, the great morning prayer of the Sikhs. He was sawn across from head .
Dyal Das abused the Emperor and his courtiers for this act. He was tied up like a round bundle and thrown into a huge cauldron of boiling oil. He was roasted alive into a block of charcoal.
Sati Das condemned these brutalities. He was hacked to pieces limb by limb.
For remembering all these three followers of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji , this museum has been built just opposite to the Gurudwara.


A model of Bhai Mati Das in the Museum showing how he was killed .

By this time it was 7pm and then we came out of the Museum. I was again recharged after doing the Darshan. With full of energy now we were ready to roam around the conjested streets of Chandni Chowk.Also we were feeling hungry. But we had no problem for the food joints here.Will Describe all this later in the second part.
Thanks for Reading…
To be continued…..

36 Comments

  • INDRANIL says:

    That was good read. however waiting eagerly for the second part i.e the foodie part.:-)

  • Sahil says:

    Thnks Indranil.
    I Will post the second part in few days.

    Sahil

    • Jagdeep S Makkar says:

      Mr Sahil, Thank you for your post very nicely . But I disagree where you stated. Actually Aurangzeb wanted Guru Teg Bahadur Ji to leave Sikhism religion and get converted into Islam.

      Here is the history of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji

      The Emperor Aurangzeb who had seen in the death of his brother and arrest of his father had been raised and educated by the fundamentalist ulema who had long been ignored by his more liberal predecessors. His brother Dara Shikoh had been raised by the Sufis and exposed to the more the more universal side of Islam which, though its aim was still to see everyone in the world submit to Islam, they sought to accomplish their goal by peaceful means. The Sikhs and Hindus were on good terms with the Sufis, but Aurangzeb returned the hated Jizia-a tax which took 60% of everything from the Sikh and Hindu farmers.
      Aurangzeb had decided that he would change India into a land where sharia would rule. He had decided that Islam would be the only religion of India. He would allow no new Hindu temples to be built and he gave orders that may be torn down and replaced by Mosques. A plan was hatched to force the respected Kashmiri Pundits to accept Islam, it was thought that if they converted, the rest of the Hindus would follow. They were told that they would accept or be put to the sword. Records of the time record that some of the Pandits made a pilgrimage to Amarnath to the cave with the lingham of Shiva. There they had a vision of Shiva who told them to travel to see Guru Tegh Bahadur. Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth in the line of Guru Nanak and lived at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, Northern India. They resolved to go to him and ask for his protection.
      After a long and hard Journey, they arrived at the Guru’s court. They told him their sad story. They said, “Your very name has the power to bring comfort to those in need. The purpose of your life is to protect religion. Please help us to save our faith.” As the Guru sat silently absorbed with their request, his son, young Gobind Rai, came in and, seeing his father sitting quietly, went up to him. The Guru said nothing, but tenderly embraced the boy. Guru Jis 9 year old son Gobind Rai Ji told his father what the problem was. The Guru told his son of the Pandits dilemma and said that it would take a holy man literally laying down his life to intercede. Gobind Rai responded Who would be better than you to defend the poor Brahmins. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji decided to stand up for the right of freedom of worship and told the delegation to tell Aurangzeb that if he could convert Guru Tegh Bahadur they would gladly convert.
      He had word sent to Delhi with a proposal for the emperor: “If you can convince Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, who is now seated on the throne of Guru Nanak to accept Islam then all the Kashmiris will accept your faith.”
      So began the course of events which led to the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur. In the end, as he was about to be beheaded, he tied a small note on a string around his neck. With a knowing look, he told the watching crowd that he was about to perform the miracle they had all been waiting for. This string had magical powers: it would prevent the executioner from cutting off his head. Up, then down swinging the executioner’s ax. Off came the Guru Teg Bahadur’s head.
      When his head was severed, the note was read. It said, “I gave my head, but not my faith.”
      With this Sakhi it learnt the difficult lesson for all Sikhs to protect the weak, even if it means that the head has to be given. Because of this sacrifice Guru Tegh Bahadur is called “The Protector of Hindus” – ‘Hind DI Chader’
      Categories: Guru Tegh BahadarSakhis

    • Jagdeep S Makkar says:

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      ?? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ?? ???????? ?? ??? ?????? ????: “??? ?? ???? ??? ??????, 9 ??? ???? ?? ??? ?? ???? ???, ?? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ?????????? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ??????? ??????.”
      ?? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ????????? ???? ????. ??? ???, ?? ??? ??? ?? ???? ??? ?? ??? ??? ?? ??? ???? ?? ??? ???? ??? ??, ?? ???? ??? ??? ?? ??? ?? ?? ???? ?? ??? ????. ?? ????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ??, ?? ??? ???? ?? ?? ??????? ?? ??? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ?? ???????? ?? ???? ??? ?? ?????. ?? ???????? ????? ???????? ??: ?? ???? ??? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ???. ???, ?? ???? ?????? ????????? ???. ?? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ???.
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      ????: ???? ??? BahadarSakhis
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  • Prateek says:

    A beautiful and a very informative description of this place. Will watch out for your next post in this series.

  • Tarun says:

    Very nice narration of the story Sahil. Thanks for taking us to the Gurudwara visually.

  • Rajeev says:

    Good info about the place. However will like to read the next part about Chandni Chowk. Very good bright pics.

  • travellers says:

    Hi Sahil,
    Nice post. Despite having been to Chandni Chowk on numerous occasions, I am yet to pay my obeisance to this hallowed Gurudwara. Thanks also for revisiting the heart-rending story associated with Sis Ganj Sahib.
    Auro.

  • sskagra says:

    Ihave seen this side very good
    thanking you

  • nandanjha says:

    Great piece of historical info. I was not aware , thanks for sharing this.

    I have also passed through this area multiple times but never went in. Probably next time. Thanks again Sahil. On to food part now :-)

  • I have been to this Gurdwara more than 10 times…but after reading your article I knew what is the history ot this place.
    Bhai Mati Das ki Jai.
    Bhai Sati Das ki Jai.
    Bhai Dayal Das ki Jai.

    Shame on Aurangjeb who killed people for religion.

  • ???? ?? ????? ???. ??? ???? ?????? ?? ?? ?? ????? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ???? ???????.

  • hi mera naam harendra tomer hai or main malviya ngr main rehtaa hoon or main her ravivaar ko malviya ngr se chandi chowk gurdawara sis ganj sahib jata hoon kyoki mere paas naukari nahin hai hai iss liye main her ravivaar ko jaataa hoon meri naukari jaroor lagegi baba ke aashirwaad se ok bye

    • Harendra Tomer , it is really nice that every week you go to the Gurdwara. Definately you will get a job. My best wishes are with you.

      Regards,
      Sahil

      • hello sahil veer jee maine printing press main job ki hui hai or mujhe expriense bhi hai ager koi job ho to plz aap bataa do or interner bhi poora aata hai ms word bhi aataa hai kahin per bhi naukari nahi mil rahee hai plz hepl me

  • harneet says:

    can anyone give me the contact no

  • udai vir singh says:

    Dear,
    Most of the people of our country R not aware about the history and how our ancestor have saved our culture, our religon,our motherland.Due to those brave persons we R able to breath.U did marvolous job.Go aheasd, it is too little job, a lot of things to be done. I M a gazetted offiecer in delhi govt.U may ask me for help whenever its require.ok see U, god bless U.

  • D.L.Narayan says:

    Brings back memories of my visit to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in New Delhi over two decades ago. I remember being given a saffron headscarf to wear before entering the peaceful environs of this shrine, the museum, the beautiful sarovar and the tasty prasad.

    I should make it a point to visit Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib the next time I am in Delhi.

    Thanks a lot. Sahil.

  • harpreet singh says:

    plz confirm about night stay there /room booking procesior

  • dear mr sahil aapki information sahi hai but poori nahi hai GURU TEG BAHADUR SAHIB JI ne shaheedi apni khatir nahi balki poore hindustan ko bachaane ke liye di hai….

    the full story is -:
    The Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb cherished the ambition of converting India into a land of islam. This philosophy was also pleaded by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi (15691624), leader of the Naqashbandi School, to counter the liberal policies of Akbar’s reign.
    The Emperor’s experiment was carried out in Kashmir. The viceroy of Kashmir, Iftikar Khan (16711675) carried out the policy vigorously and set about converting non-Muslims by force.[2][3]
    A group of Kashmiri Pandits (Kashmiri Hindu Brahmins), approached Guru Tegh Bahadur and asked for help. They, on the advice of the Guru, told the Mughal authorities that they would willingly embrace Islam if Guru Tegh Bahadur, did the same.[2][3]
    Orders of the arrest of the Guru were issued by Aurangzeb, who was in present day North West Frontier Province of Pakistan subduing Pushtun rebellion. The Guru was arrested at a place called Malikhpur near Anandpur after he had departed from Anandpur for Delhi. Before departing he nominated his son, Gobind Rai (Guru Gobind Singh) as the next Sikh Guru.
    He was arrested, along with some of his followers, Bhai Dayala, Bhai Mati Das and Bhai Sati Das by Nur Muhammad Khan of the Rupnagar police post at the village Malikhpur Rangharan, in Ghanaula Parganah, and sent to Sirhind the following day. The Faujdar (Governor) of Sirhind, Dilawar Khan, ordered him to be detained in Bassi Pathana and reported the news to Delhi. His arrest was made in July 1675 and he was kept in custody for over three months. He was then cast in an iron cage and taken to Delhi in November 1675.
    The Guru was put in chains and ordered to be tortured until he would accept Islam. When he could not be persuaded to abandon his faith to save himself from persecution, he was asked to perform some miracles to prove his divinity. Refusing to do so, Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded in public at Chandni Chowk on 24 November 1675. Guru Ji is also known as “Hind Di Chadar” i.e. “the shield of India”, suggesting that to save Hinduism, Guru Ji gave his life.

    courtsey : Wikipedia

  • Sahil Sethi says:

    Paramjeet, Thanks for going through.

    Sahil

  • Wonderful writing , nice descriptions.
    Thanks a lot
    Regards

  • Vinay Kumar says:

    shail

    can u tell me the timing of gurudwara
    and also tlle me the langar faciliyt and its timing as i want to visit delhi so pls also tell me that there is any faciliy to stay in gurudwara…..

    Vinay Kumar
    Jammu

    • Sahil Sethi says:

      Vinay,

      The Gurudwara opens early morning at round 5am and remians open till late evening.
      Langar facilty is also available.

      Can’t comment on the stay options there.

      Regards,
      Sahil

  • preet says:

    GREETINGS
    My Father S DARSHAN SINGH is missing from Patiala (PUNJAB) for the last two years.He was under depression and wanted to dedicate his life in sewa in gurudwara.he was last seen by someone in gurudwara SIS GANJ SAHIB DELHI.we searched for him but cannot find him.
    KINDLY HELP ME

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