Name: Patna
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Patna Sahib Gurudwara, Patna Overview

Harmandir Takht Shri Patna Sahib, popularly known as Patna Sahib Gurudwara is one of the holiest pilgrimages for the Sikh community. Located on the banks of holy Ganga, this Gurudwara in Patna, Bihar was built commemorating the tenth Guru of Sikhs, Shri Guru Gobind Singh.

The Gurudwara is regarded as the epicentre of Sikhism in Eastern India. Patna Sahib Gurudwara is the second acknowledged and accepted Takht of the five all total Takhts of Sikhism, which means ‘seat of authority’. ·A morning prayer called ardaas is being performed here every morning at 5:45 A.M and evening prayer at 6:00 P.M. The langar or free food service is offered here to all the visitors and visitors are also welcomed to volunteer in langar services since it is believed to be an offering to God. The Prakash Parv or the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji is celebrated in December every year which is one of the major attractions of this place.

Historical Significance

It was here that the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji was born in 1966 and spent ten years of his life before moving to Anandpur. Later on, Patna was also honoured by visits from Guru Nanak Ji and Guru Tegh Bahadur. The Gurudwara which now commemorated Guru Gobind Singh is also regarded as the holiest of all the five Takhts.

The construction of Patna Sahib traces back to the nineteenth century when a great devotee of Guru Nanak, Salis Rai Johri converted his majestic haveli into a Dharamshala where Guru Teg Bahadur also stayed. This is also the place where at present Patna Sahib is located. Later on, Maharaja Ranjit Singh led the reconstruction of the holy shrine in 1839 following destruction by fire.

In 1934, when the state of Bihar was severely affected by an earthquake, some portions of this holy Gurudwara were also affected which later on got fixed in 1954, and thus we have the present magnificent building of Patna Sahib that tells a grand story of architectural excellence and supreme faith. The place which was once known as Kaccha Farukh Khan is now famous as Harmandir Gali as it houses the auspicious Harmandir Takht Patna Sahib Gurudwara.

Dress Code

No particular dress code is assigned. However, it will be advisable to wear light colored, comfortable and sophisticated clothes keeping in mind the holiness and the serenity of the place.

Other Attractions

Patna Sahib Gurudwara also houses a museum inside its premise which mainly exhibits artefacts concerning Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Sikh history. The main items include handwritten orders known as "Hukumnamas" of Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Tegh Bahadur that are preserved in a book, a sacred sword, a pair of sandals made of ivory, four iron arrows and a cradle with gold plated stands. The Gurudwara and the Museum provides a deep insight into the history of Sikhism of Eastern India.

There are several shops lining the Harmindar Gali that sell interesting stuff related to Sikh traditions and culture. Bamboo and leather items are the major buys from these shops which can be great gifting options for your dear ones.

Additional Tips

· It is religiously mandatory to cover your heads in the Gurudwara premises for both men and women and thus it will be advised to carry a scarf or handkerchief along with you.

· It is allowed to take photos here.

· Patna Sahib Gurudwara also provides accommodation facility in its serene premises. It is great options if you are looking for accommodation in Patna while your visit.

· Since the Gurudwara is located in a very narrow lane, it is difficult to find a parking spot for vehicles. Thus, a visit by public transport is recommended.

How To Reach Patna Sahib Gurudwara

Patna is well connected by air, road and railways to different parts of the country. Patna airport is 18.8 Kms away from Patna Sahib Gurudwara, and it takes approximately 1 hour to reach Gurudwara from the airport by road.

The nearest railway station to Patna Sahib Gurudwara is Patna Sahib Railway Station which is only 1.7 Kms from the Gurudwara, and it takes only 6 minutes to reach here via Guru Gobind Path. Although, not every train has a stoppage at this railway station because the major railway station of Patna is Patna Junction which is 13.1 Kms from the Gurudwara and has well-connected transport facilities to other parts of the city, including Patna Sahib Gurudwara.

One can hail shared autos that are the most prevalent medium of transport here. The fare is around INR 20, and they will drop you at Chowkshikarpur from there you can ask auto or e-rickshaw to drop you at Chowk. Then you have to walk 100 meters right to reach Patna Sahib Gurudwara. The auto facility is quite ideal in cases of travelling with no or minimum luggage.

Local trains and private cab facility is also available here. You can consider private cabs in case you are travelling with a lot of luggage.

Best Time to Visit the Gurudwara

Patna experiences scorching heat and is unbearably hot, the dusty climate during summers from March to June often crossing 40 degrees mark on the temperature scale. Even the months of monsoon from July to September are often characterised with blocked transport facilities, however, to only some extent. Therefore, the months of winter from October to February make an ideal time to visit Patna Sahib Gurudwara. Also, in December the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji is celebrated with much pomp and pride, attracting the maximum number of visitors.