Gurudwara Bara Sikh Sangat

Tucked away in the heart of Bara-Bazar, Gurudwara Bara Singh Sangat is one of the oldest places of Sikh Worship in the city. Unlike the towering large Gurudwaras that you see otherwise, Bara Singh Sangat is one that is enveloped by the city throughout. Believed to have been a space for Sikh worship since the 16th century, the Gurudwara itself was started to be built in 1852. The Gurudwara’s historical significance lies in that it was built on the site of Guru Nanak’s first visit here, and was later also visited by Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth guru of Sikhism.

The gurudwara, a shiny new complex built on the original pre-modern site

The gurudwara, a shiny new complex built on the original pre-modern site

Flags proclaiming "Jai Shree Ram", an identifier of the Hindutva movement, hang on the pavement across from the gurudwara. Conflicting religious spaces are aplenty in the city.

Flags proclaiming "Jai Shree Ram", an identifier of the Hindutva movement, hang on the pavement across from the gurudwara. Conflicting religious spaces are aplenty in the city.

As are transportation modes of different eras.

As are transportation modes of different eras.

DSCF0499.JPG
DSCF0509.JPG
DSCF0511.JPG
Shops set up right next to the gurudwara complex. Interestingly, sharbat stalls and certain goods and merchandise are a uniformity around gurudwaras in many Indian cities.

Shops set up right next to the gurudwara complex. Interestingly, sharbat stalls and certain goods and merchandise are a uniformity around gurudwaras in many Indian cities.