Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Gurudwara Sheesh Ganj stands at the place where Guru Tegh Bahadur attained martyrdom. Today it is one of the most sacred Gurudwara.


Take your mind back to the year 1675 and you will come across the might of the Mughals in the form of ruler Aurangzeb. The ninth Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur Saheb was championing right of people to their faith and he was imprisoned, tortured and done to death at this place which used to be a Kotwali then.
Come to the year 1784 and Sardar Baghel Singh captured Delhi and the might of Mughals had gone to dust. A Gurudwara was made at the spot the Guru attained martyrdom. Today it is a beautiful Gurudwara recalling the supreme sacrifice of the Guru. 
Inside the Gurudwara, it is serene and beautiful. There is a 24 hour langar at the place which was Kotwali then and adjacent to it is a serai where pilgrims can stay. The Kada Prashad is so good. One feels fulfilled being at this place.


At the ground level there is a memorial to the Guru where he was done to death. It is a sentimental place and sacred to all. There is also the original well which existed at the time of sacrifice. It is said the Guru took holy bath at this well before being done to death. Today this well, preserved the way it was then, is sacred.
Irony of the place is the coexisting Sunheri Masjid. My colleague who led the group narrated how things change. That time the mosque ws the most prominent structure in the vicinity. Today, the mosque is nearly inconsequential except the fact that Nadir Shah sat there while presiding the massacre to Delhi in 1739, the Gurudwara is the most important structure in the entire Chandni Chowk. 
As Chandni Chowk is always congested for traffic, it is better to leave your car in the Jama Masjid or other parkings and walk the distance. We loved walking though it was a bit hot. Or go on Sunday when Chandni Chowk market is closed.


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