Gurdwara Nanak Shahi is a Sikh Gurdwara at Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is located at the campus of the University of Dhaka Near the arts faculty building and considered to be the biggest of 9 to 10 Gurdwaras in the country. Both males and females can enter the Gurdwara and take part in their prayer. The daily activities in Gurdwara Nanakshahi include reading Granthasaheb and prayer in the morning and evening. Weekly get-together and prayer take place from 10am to 1pm on each Friday morning. The chief Granthi sings the glories in addition to reading out from the scripture.
According to the commemorating the visit of Guru Nanak (1506-1507), it is the most important historic place. It is said to have been built in 1830. The present building of the Gurdwara was renovated in 1988-1989. The parkarma verandah had been constructed on all four sides of the original building to protect. There are two hand-written Birs (Recessions) of Guru Granth Sahib in the Gurdwara, one of 18 x 12 inches with 1336 pages. Gurdwara Nanak Shahi is open for people of all religion. Each day, recitation from the Holy Scripture of Sikh religion Granth Sahib and prayer takes place in Gurdwara Nanak Shahi. Weekly prayer and Kirtan are organized every Friday. On this day in the morning and after prayer, free food known as langar is served.
History
At one time it was known as “Sujatpur Sikh Sangat” as it was situated in what was then Sujatpur mouza. It is believed to have been built on the initiative of a Sikh priest, Almast, sent by the sixth Sikh guru, shri guruHargobond Singh ji, during the reign of Emperor Jahangir. Some other believes it was built by the ninth Sikh guru, shri guru Teg Bahadur Singh ji. But The Gurudwara was built originally by Bhai Natha ji, a missionary who came to Dhaka during the time of the sixth guru. The building was completed in 1830. This Gurudwara commemorates the stay of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469–1539).From 1915 to 1947; Sri Chandrajyoti served as the granthi. After 1947 the Gurudwara was neglected and almost abandoned. After the Liberation (1971) of Bangladesh, however, it was repaired and revived. There is a management board, which includes local as well as foreign members, to run the affairs of the Gurudwara. In 1988 to 1989 the building was renovated and the outside virandah was constructed for its protection and preservation with contributions received from shri guru Nanak dev ji's followers in Bangladesh and other countries. This work was carried out under the guidance of Sardar Harban Singh. There are also about eight or nine smaller gurudwaras in different parts of Bangladesh. The Gurudwara Management Committee runs the affairs of these gurudwaras with financial support from the devotees, foreign visitors, donors and grants from the Bangladesh government.
Architectural
the prayer spot is called shri Darbar Sahib. It has entrances on all four sides. Usually, a gurudwara possesses four entrances that symbolize that everybody from all the four directions are welcomed here. In each of the gurdwaras, a yellow flag is kept hoisted. It is called Nishan Sahib. It has two pictures of shords on its two sides, which are called Khanda. This is the symbol of the secular and spiritual lives of the Sikh people. The main prayer hall of Sikh religion is Gurudwara Nanak shahi. It is adjacent to the Arts Building of Dhaka University. Gurudwara Nanakshahi had an entrance in the north side in the past. In the south, there were a well, a grave-yard and a pond with paved-stairs in the west. The arrangement of residence and offices was there in the north-west, and the caretaker would live in the east. In addition, there were several rooms for the worshippers to sit in. In total, there were nine rooms. Excellently domed squarish masonry of the European style is set up on square platform. Each of its sides, which are projected outward, is 30 feet. The east-facing gurudwara has five entrances in each of the north-eastern and western wall. There is no entrance in the south; instead there is a small room adjacent to the temple. The squarish central hall has a veranda around it. There are four rooms at the corners of the veranda; on at each corner. The veranda is about 5 feet wide. Just after veranda, there are three arch entrances. The handwritten book named shri guru Grantha sahib ji is lying open apart on a low altar in the central room. This very scripture is worshipped every day. If we think about the value of this architecture, first of all we all need to see the history. This building is historic and it is one of the part of national heritage. This building is more valuable for the followers of Sikh religion. This building is the main meeting place for this religion. This is one of the parts of national heritage preservation. The care-taking is done by The Bangladesh Gurdwara Management Committee.
Present condition
the gurudwara is in a good condition now at present. The whole building is fully white colored. After the renovation in 1988-1989 this building is now under good observation. It is now nicely taking care by The Bangladesh Guurdwara Management Committee. They run the affairs of these gurudwara with financial support from the devotees, foreign visitors, donors and grants from the Bangladesh government.
