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Tags : Gurudwara
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One of the most historical Gurdwaras in Delhi, the magnificent Rakab Ganj Gurdwara is a sight to behold near Parliament House in New Delhi. The Gurdwara is a famous Sikh temple for its historical significance and its quality of maintenance. Devotees visit the place to get blessings and to offer their free service to clean the floors, serve langar, serve water, etc.
Historical records name Baghel Sikh, the Sikh Military General, to be the one who constructed this Gurdwara in 1783. Gurdwara Rakab Ganj is known for being the cremation site of the headless body of the ninth Guru of Sikhs, the martyr Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who gave his life, saving Hindu Kashmiri Pandits from Aurangzeb’s cruelties in 1675.
The body of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was cremated by Baba Lakhi Shah Vanjara and his son, who belonged to a colony of stirrup makers, which are attached to a horse’s saddles. Hence, the name Rakab which is Persian for stirrups. Gurdwara Rakab Ganj has two prayer halls. The main prayer hall is where the body was cremated. The second one is much bigger and very recent. It is used during momentous Sikh events such as Gurpurabs to accommodate large crowds of people who visit the Gurdwara throughout the day and night, or used for marital processions.