Sikhism - Culture - Gurmat Veechar

The vast premises are in the heart of New Delhi, surrounded
by Parliament House, Central Secretariat and Rashtrpati
Bhawan.
5. Gurdwara BangIa Sahib: This is the place where Guru
Harkrishan Sahib, the Bala Pritam, when he was just running in his
eighth year, stayed here when he was called to Delhi by the Emperor
Aurangzeb. Initially he was reluctant to come as he was aware ofthe
ulterior designs of the Mughal King, and was advised by his father
Guru, Guru Har Rai, before the latter left for the heavenly abode, to
never to see the emperor in his life, but at the insistence ofthe S.angat
and the courtesy shown by Mirza Raja Jai Singh's messenger that he
will be comfortably stayed at Delhi and shall not be compelled to see
the emperor, he agreed to visit Delhi.
He was offered this place for his comfortable stay as this was a
bungalow, 'a bangIa' where Mirza Raja Jai Singh himselfwas staying
with his family.
During Guru Sahib's stay Delhi was engulfed with an epidemic
where hundreds were dying daily in pain. Guru Harkrishan despite his
tender age entered the arena of service, visited the people at their
places, gave them a healing touch. Even people were taking his 'charan
amrit' and were getting cured. But Guru Sahib as per destiny, fell
seriously ill and breathed his last when he was just eight years old and
left his mortal body saying 'Baba Bakaale'.
As on date Bangia Sahib, is most sought of pilgrimage center of
the Sikhs - perhaps next only to Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar.
Thousands of devotees, tourists from all countries arid different
denominations throng this sacred place daily with figures swelling to
hundreds ofthousands on Sundays and holidays.
6. Gurdwara Bala Sahib: It is the spot where the mortal remains
of Guru Harkrishan Sahib were consigned to flames and his
'Angeetha' was created. Subsequently Mata Sundri and Mata Sahib
Devan were also cremated here. Originally it was on the outskirts of
Delhi just a few meters away from Jamuna River. With the passage of
time and with the explosion in population, it has come within densely
populated localities, drawing large 'sangats' in the morning and
. evening and even during the day too. A large multi facility hospital has·
been built here quite recently and is expected to meet the highly felt
222/ The Sikhism - Culture, History & Religion