Gurudwara Nanak Piao Sahib is a very prominent Sikh gurudwara located in north Delhi. It is dedicated to Sri Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh Guru. It was constructed at a site in a Delhi garden where he camped in the year 1505 when he visited Delhi. It was during the reign of Sultan Sikandar Lodi.  It is located on the Grand Trunk Road or the Rana Pratap Road. It is believed that when the prophet camped in the garden, many followers and devotees flocked to the site and gave him and his faithful companion Bhai Mardana, precious gifts and also food. Guru Nanak used to give away all these gifts to the poor and the needy. Apart from this, he also used to give water and food to the hungry and thirsty and that is where the name of the shrine came from. The word “piao” in Hindi or Urdu means “offer liquid that is water to drink”.

History of Gurudwara

As already mentioned above, the Gurudwara Nanak Piao Sahib is associated with the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak and was built at a site in Delhi, where he camped for few days during the reign of Sikandar Lodi. There was well in the garden from where the Guru offered water to the thirsty and that well has been well preserved even today.

onsequently, the shrine attained a historic and holy status. Guru Nanak was a staunch believer in peace, harmony, brotherhood and non violence and there were people who genuinely sought his spiritual guidance and also got benefitted from the same. Slowly the gardens surrounding shrine became the pilgrimage place for people who came from all across the city to receive the Guru’s messages of spiritual deliverance.

There is a story that claims that rumors spread in Delhi that the Guru by the grace of God restored life in a dead elephant. The emperor came to know that there was a holy man who had won the admiration of both the Hindus and Muslims and had also made a dead elephant alive. It is said that when one of this royal favorite elephants died, the emperor sent for the Guru so that he could revive that elephant as well. But the Guru denied and he was immediately imprisoned by the emperor.  When inside the prison, the prison officials were deeply touched and influenced seeing the Guru’s compassion for the sufferings of the other prisoners. These officials informed the Emperor that Guru Nanak was a saint and not an idolater and that he was worshipped and respected by both Hindus and Muslims alike.

Another strange thing happened during the Guru’s imprisonment and that was an earthquake that shook the capital on 3rd July, 1505. This along with the intervention of the Chisti Sufi saints changed the mind of the emperor and he ordered the release of the Guru. Many other prisoners were released along with him on his request.

Architecture of Gurudwara

The Gurudwara Nanak Piao Sahib is located in the Sabzi Mandi area and the gate of the Gurudwara has a Mughal-styled gate. It has wide pari-karama and lies on 4/5 feet high platform. The Gurudwara’s interior is beautiful and part of the ceiling had also been made in the sheesh mahal style that is out of glass. There is also a sarovar or lake behind the shrine that has a verandah at its periphery. The well is still functional. There is also a small garden and there are rooms for Akhand Paths. There are staff quarters on the right side of the gate.

Significance of Gurudwara

The Gurudwara Nanak Piao Sahib is associated with the first Sikh Guru or Guru Nanak and has its own historical significance. This Gurudwara is famous for it observes the death anniversary of the Guru. Hundreds of Sikhs visit this Gurudwara during that time to offer their homage and seek his blessings.

Facilities

Like all the Gurudwaras in Delhi, the Gurudwara Nanak Piao Sahib is also managed by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. They manage various other schools, hospitals and other charitable organizations in and around Delhi. There are hundreds of volunteers who visit this Gurudwara everyday to work and serve the Amrit or holy water from the well to the devotees.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the Gurudwara is during early morning or evening and it remains open from early morning and until late night. Both Sikhs and non Sikhs are expected to wear proper clothes while visiting the Gurudwara. Both men and women also need to cover their head and remove shoes before entering the premises of the Gurudwara.

How to Reach

By Air

Indira Gandhi International Airport is well connected to rest of the world. It is connected to all the other cities of the country as well. There are state-run buses, auto-rickshaws and private taxis that connect the airport and the GT Road.

By Road

Delhi is well-connected by a good network of roads with rest of the country as it is the Capital City of the Country. The buses are available to the Gurudwara from different places of Delhi and other nearby places as well. GT Road is one road of historical importance in the country as it connects Bangladesh and Afghanistan via West Bengal and Delhi. National Highway 1 is a part of the GT Road. 

By Local Transport

There are rented cars, taxis, auto-rickshaws available and you can rent one of this to reach the gurudwara as well from any part of the city.