Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib is a Sikh historic site. It holds a significant place in the religious landscape and people of all faiths cherish its importance. Bidar has a deep connection with Sikhism. The Gurudwara derives its name from Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first guru of Sikhism.
History of Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib
In Bidar, Karnataka, the Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib formed in 1948. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, reportedly visited to Bidar during his second Udasi. At the time, people in the region were in desperation at the time due to a prolonged drought. However, Guru Nanak put his foot in the ground and water started flowing from there. The people got relief and no longer facing drought. Due to this incident, people began to respect Guru Nanak’s divine power, and his teachings spread across the region.
Guru Nanak’s touch on the ground to assist the locals caused the continuous flow of water, leading to the creation of the Amrit Kund. As belief, A single holy dip in the tank to heal the body and soul of devotees. Sikhs consider the pool a holy site, and they believe that consuming water from the Amrit Kund can cure illnesses and absolve sins.
Beautiful Architecture of Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib
The gurudwara’s walls and pillars are carved with beautiful patterns, and it is constructed of white stone. The design includes scenes from Sikh history. Furthermore a lovely canopy and chandeliers decorate the main prayer hall. The gurdwara includes a langar hall (community kitchen) and sarovar (holy pond). The gurdwara’s architecture is unique as it has Sikh elements.
How we reached to Gurudwara Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib
The Gurudwara Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib in Bidar was the first place my husband and I thought of when we decided to take a lengthy drive of about 100 kilometres one weekend. Around 10 in the morning, we left Hyderabad in a car, eager to begin the tour. We loved the beautiful splendour along the journey and the decent condition of the road. We were excited about the travel and the idea of visiting such a significant historical and religious place when we arrived at Bidar Gurudwara about 1:30 pm.
Things we enjoyed on the way to bidar
We left on our journey at around 10 in the morning, travelling firstly via the Nehru Outer Ring Road and then took exit to the Nallagandala Tellapur Road . Onto NH 65, which was a smooth and pleasant drive after that, was where we continued. We made good time heading towards Zaheerabad as to the excellent condition of the roads. However, we noticed that the road conditions deteriorate as we got closer to the Zaheerabad-Bidar Road. Despite this, we believed the route was appropriate so we took caution to avoid any potholes or rough areas. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the cold air that travelled with us on the trip.
Food on the way to Bidar
On the way, we were thirsty and wanted for something refreshing to drink as we make our journey towards Bidar on a hot summer day. Fortunately, we come across many shops selling sugarcane juice along the road. We didn’t think twice before stopping and drinking the tasty and refreshing beverage. A nice treat, the sugarcane juice not only hydrated our thirst but also provided us a boost of energy that kept us going for the remainder of the trip. We amazed at the greenery and beautiful views as we travelled further and enjoyed the beautiful sights of the area.
We noticed that food options alongside the road were limited as we made the journey to Bidar. In order satisfy our hunger throughout the journey, we made thought to pack a few snacks. However, Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib offers an excellent choice once you get in Bidar if you don’t want to cook or carry food. The gurudwara offers unlimited access of the lungar, its communal kitchen where tourists can indulge in a delicious vegetarian meal.
Lungar in Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib
The gurudwara’s members dedicate a lot of effort and time to preparing the lungar, and they serve the food with the utmost respect and humility. In addition to fulfilling your hunger, eating lungar provides you a chance to experience the Sikhist values of unity and brotherhood. All things considered, it is an excellent option for anybody visiting Bidar and craving an excellent food.
Importance of Seva in Sikhism
Seva, or the idea of selfless service, is vital to Sikhism. One of the highest values in Sikhism is seva, which involves providing others something without expecting credit or reward. The first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak, created the concept of langar, a free open kitchen that offers meals to everyone who visits the gurudwara. Since everyone eats the same food, regardless of background, the Langar promotes equality and the elimination of social barriers.
In addition to langar, there are many other types of sevas that are performed in the gurudwara, such as washing the dishes after meals, serving food to visitors, and cleaning the footwear of those coming for darshan. These seva acts are performed with the aim of serving others and creating a sense of equality and community. Sikh culture places great importance on the idea of seva, which motivates people to serve others and improve humanity.
Things to carry while traveling to Bidar
While visiting the gurudwara carry a scarf. You need to wear a scarf to cover your head before visiting Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib. Due to the Gurdwara’s restriction on taking pictures, it is advisable to switch off or keep your phone on mute. It’s recommended to keep a container to fill Amrit Jal if you intend to take some home.
However, you can easily get the container from shops outside the gurdwara premises.
You can also get other items like scarf, Kada(sikh bangle),Kirpan from the shops located outside.
Parking details in Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib
Inside the main gate of the Gurudwara, there is lots of space for parking cars and bikes, allowing parking easy. Flexible possibilities for parking are provided by the open parking spaces which are located on either side of the road.
Other details
Like all other Gurudwaras, there are no entry fees for visitors in this gurudwara. However, you can choose to contribute and donate money if that’s what you’d like to do.
Washrooms are also available within the premises of the Gurudwara. The Gurudwara administrator maintains bathrooms hygienic and tidy. Additionally, they provide many spacious and tidy accommodations so that visitors do not have to worry about finding a place to stay.
Different ways to reach Bidar’s Gurudwara Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib
We excitedly began our drive to Gurudwara Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib, and it definitely turned out to be the best way.
Here are the few other ways to reach Gurudwara Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib Bidar.
By Road
If you’d prefer to take the bus, the early morning service departs at 5 am and offers an AC sleeper experience for a 2-hour trip for about 1500 rupees. As an alternative, you may schedule outstation cab to bring you to the Gurudwara.
By Rail
The Gurudwara stands in close proximity to the railway station, requiring a mere 10-minute journey from there. Trains from Hyderabad commence as early as 4:30 am, with the last train departing around 10:30 pm. Therefore, you have the flexibility to book a train based on your convenience. The train journey from Hyderabad to the Gurudwara takes approximately 3 hours.
By Air
If you decide to choose a flight as your mode of transportation, then the airport is situated 6 km from the Gurudwara, ensuring easy accessibility.
Plan your trip according to your preferences. You may also travel to times when there are a lot of devotees, like during “Holi” and “Guru Nanak Jayanti.” Regardless of when you choose to travel, it is a must to visit the Gurudwara. Wishing you a happy journey! Do share your experience with us.
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