A MAJOR SIKH PILGRIMAGE IN AGRA
Introduction
Guru ka Tal is a historical Sikh pilgrimage place dedicated to the memory of the ninth Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Several devotees gather every year to pay homage to the great Sikh guru (who was martyred along with his followers for sake of freedom to practice one’s faith) in this Gurudwara.
The Guru Ka Taal is the most revered place of the Sikhs dwelling in Agra.
Of the 10 Sikh Gurus, four gurus (Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, Guru Gobind Singh, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, Guru Nanak Dev Ji) have visited this holy place.
This beautiful gurudwara is located within the boundaries of Sikandra and every year it witnesses a huge tourist influx.
Where Guru Ka Taal is situated?
Guru ka Taal is near Sikandra in Agra city of Uttar Pradesh in Northern India. It is situated exactly on the Delhi-Agra National Highway.
How to reach Guru ka Taal?
It is situated at a distance of only 15 KM from the famous Agra city and is well connected with roads. You can reach here by following ways:
By Road: Agra is at the distance of 230 KM from Delhi, the National Capital of India. This gurudwara is on Delhi Agra National Highway near Sikandra just 15 KM behind Agra. You can reach here by Bus/cab or private-owned vehicle.
By Railways: It is also well connected with the Rail network and you can book the train to “Raja Ki Mandi” Railway station which is the nearest one.
By Air: The nearest airport is Indra Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi and from there you can reach here by Bus or train. The journey from New Delhi to Agra will take 4 to 5 hours. Another option is “Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay airport of Agra” which has the availability of various domestic flights to major cities of India and you can reach here via Delhi to Agra Flight.
What facilities are available at Guru Ka taal?
Guru ka Langar (free meal): A huge public free kitchen (Langar) is there which serves free food to every visitor and the food is delicious and tasty.
Sarai (Rooms): Guru Ramadas Niwas (Sarai) is available where you can book rooms for your stay.
Parking: Huge parking space is available in the complex of gurudwara where you can park your vehicles.
What are timings for Guru ka Taal?
Guru ka Taal remains open 24 hours a day. The kirtan (Prayer) timings are from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. You can easily spend 2 to 3 hours in God’s abode to experience peace and mental satisfaction.
What is the historical significance of Gurudwara Guru ka Taal, Agra?
Guru ka Taal is a historical Sikh pilgrimage place dedicated to the memory of the ninth Guru “Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji”. The Gurudwara was constructed over the place where the Guru Tegh Bahadur offered his arrest to Aurangazeb, the Indian Mughal Emperor in the 17th century. Earlier it was a Taal (reservoir) in the area near Sikandra, Agra.
It was built in the year 1610 to collect and conserve rainwater in Agra during Jehangir’s reign. The water of the reservoir was used for irrigation purposes during the dry season. The reservoir was ornamented with stone carvings. The Gurudwara called Guru Ka Taal was built in the year 1970 due to the contributions and great efforts of Sant Baba Sadhu Singhji “Mauni”.
Guru Teg Bahadur ji along with his followers Bhai Mati Das ji, Bhai Sati Das ji Bhai Dyala Ji, Bhai Gurditta Ji, Bhai Udo ji, and Bhai Jaita ji started journey from Shri Anandpur Sahib (City in Punjab).They reached Agra via Saifabad (Patiala), Cheeka, Jind, Rohtak, Janipur.
Guru ji stopped outside Agra city at this place (GURUDWARA SHRI MANJI SAHIB, situated on the left side of GURUDWARA GURU KA TAAL in the same campus).
As history reveals there was a grazer by the name of Hasan Ali who used to bring the goats here for grazing. He always used to pray to God that the savior of Hindus will get arrested one day and he should be the one responsible for his (GURU TEGH BAHADUR SAHIB’S) arrest and get paid a bounty of Rs.500 in the process.
Guru Sahib beckoned Hasan Ali to fetch sweets from the market as He was hungry. Guru Sahib gave him His precious ring to sell in the market and bring some sweets and food from that money. Guru Sahib also gave him a Shawl to carry the sweets and food. Hasan Ali went to the confectioner and gave the ring to the shopkeeper, in exchange for the sweets. Seeing such expensive things, the shopkeeper became suspicious that how can a grazer have such things, maybe he must have stolen it and reported it to the Kotwali (Police Station). The Police arrested Hasan Ali who took them to Guru Sahib. The Police then asked who Guru Sahib was and in turn, the reply came “The savior of Hindus Tegh Bahadur is my name”.
On hearing this the Police arrested Guru Sahib along with the other Sikhs. Guru Sahib was kept blindfolded for 9 days in Bhora Sahib (below the main Darbar Sahib). Hasan Ali was in turn given the bounty of 500 rupees. From here Guru Sahib and the other Sikhs were taken under high security to Delhi.
(Source of Information is the official website: https://www.gurdwaragurukataal.com/gurdwara-history/english/)
How was my experience at Guru ka Taal?
I came here from Agra via Autorickshaw which charged me INR 150 (for 2 persons). I reached here in the evening time (around 4’o clock) and spent 2 hours here. The Gurudwara complex is huge and well maintained. There is a proper arrangement to keep your things in place like a Shoe rack house for your shoes, cloakroom for your luggage, and Langer (free meal). The environment here is meditating and calm. I really enjoyed this holy visit to Gurudwara Guru Ka Taal.
