# Gurdwara Bauli Math Sahib – Puri, Odisha > Gurdwara Bauli Math Sahib in Jagannath Puri, Odisha marks Guru Nanak Dev Ji's 1509 visit and the miraculous 38-step sweet-water well. # Gurdwara Bauli Math Sahib Get Directions Share: Entry: Dress Code: Gurdwara Bauli Math Sahib is a historically and spiritually revered Sikh shrine located in the sacred pilgrimage city of Jagannath Puri, in the state of Odisha, India. Situated at coordinates 19.794063°N, 85.818563°E, this gurdwara stands as a living testament to the extensive eastern travels of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh faith, who is believed to have visited this site in approximately 1509 CE during his second major Udasi, or spiritual journey. The gurdwara derives its distinctive name from the Punjabi and Hindi word 'Bauli' or 'Baoli,' referring to a traditional stepped well, which according to Sikh tradition was created at the blessing of the Guru to resolve the local community's acute shortage of fresh drinking water. The underground water in the Puri region was largely saline and unfit for consumption, and the sweet-water well with its 38 descending steps that appeared at the Guru's intercession became a miraculous landmark that gave this sacred site its identity. Gurdwara Bauli Math Sahib occupies a unique position among the Sikh tirthas — places of pilgrimage — scattered across Odisha, as it commemorates both a humanitarian miracle attributed to Guru Nanak Dev Ji and his theological confrontation with the rituals of the great Jagannath Temple, one of the four sacred dhams of Hinduism. The Guru's dialogues with the priests of the Jagannath Temple are remembered as profound moments in which he articulated the Sikh understanding of a formless, all-pervading God, contrasting it with idol worship and ceremonial ritual. This gurdwara thus encapsulates the spirit of Guru Nanak's mission: to remind humanity of the universality of the divine and the primacy of direct, heartfelt devotion. Managed today under the broader framework of Sikh gurmaryada as directed by Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, Amritsar, Gurdwara Bauli Math Sahib draws Sikh pilgrims from across India and the global diaspora, particularly during major Gurpurabs such as Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Prakash Utsav. It stands in proximity to another historically significant Sikh shrine in Puri, Gurdwara Mangu Math, and together these two sites form a sacred Sikh pilgrimage circuit within the city of Puri. The gurdwara provides langar — the Sikh tradition of free communal meals — to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, or background, embodying the egalitarian values central to Sikh teachings. For Sikh pilgrims visiting the Jagannath Puri region, a visit to Gurdwara Bauli Math Sahib is considered an essential spiritual experience, offering a direct connection to the life and legacy of the first Sikh Guru in one of India's most ancient and spiritually charged cities. ## Significance Gurdwara Bauli Math Sahib holds profound spiritual and cultural significance for the Sikh community, serving as one of the most important historical Sikh shrines in eastern India. It is among the relatively few gurdwaras in Odisha that directly commemorate events from the life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, and as such occupies a sacred place in the Sikh pilgrimage geography. For devout Sikhs, visiting the site of the stepped well — the Bauli — is an act of deep reverence, a tangible connection to the Guru's miraculous and compassionate intervention on behalf of suffering people, embodying the Sikh ideal of Seva, selfless service. The gurdwara also carries significant theological and interfaith importance. Guru Nanak's dialogues with the Jagannath Temple priests and his composition of the cosmic Aarti at Puri are among the most celebrated episodes in Sikh hagiography. These events represent a cornerstone of Sikh theology: the rejection of ritualism in favor of genuine, inward devotion to the formless, omnipresent Creator. This message resonates deeply with Sikhs worldwide and makes Gurdwara Bauli Math Sahib a place of philosophical as well as devotional pilgrimage. Culturally, the gurdwara serves as a symbol of the Sikh community's historical presence in Odisha and a reminder of the universality of Guru Nanak's message, which transcended regional and religious boundaries. It is a place where Sikhs, Hindus, and people of all faiths visit, united by a shared reverence for the sacred land and its extraordinary heritage. ## Nearby Gurdwaras ### Gurdwara Aarti Sahib India 1.3 km away Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Gurdwara Aarti Sahib is a sacred Sikh shrine located in the holy city of Jagannath Puri, Odisha, India, established to commemorate one of the most celebrated episodes in Sikh spiritual history — the visit of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, to the revered Jagannath Temple during the early sixteenth century. Situated in a city that has been a centre of Hindu pilgrimage for millennia, the gurdwara stands as a powerful symbol of interfaith harmony, universal brotherhood, and the Sikh tradition's deep roots across the Indian subcontinent. The shrine marks the very site, believed to be just outside the Garbh Graha (inner sanctum) of the Jagannath Temple complex, where Guru Nanak Dev Ji composed and recited the iconic Sikh Aarti hymn known as 'Gagan Mai Thaal' (The Sky is the Platter). This hymn, recorded in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, revolutionised the concept of devotional worship by declaring that true aarti requires no material implements — no lamps, no incense, no ritual platters — but rather a sincere recognition of the divine presence pervading all of creation. The gurdwara draws Sikh pilgrims and spiritual seekers from across India and around the world, particularly those undertaking the Sikh pilgrimage circuit through Odisha. It is maintained as a centre of seva (selfless service), with langar (community kitchen) running continuously around the clock, welcoming devotees of all faiths, castes, and backgrounds. The four-storey structure provides free accommodation to visiting sangat (congregation), embodying the Sikh values of hospitality and equality. The gurdwara also commemorates the miraculous blessing of a well near the site, believed to have been sanctified by Guru Nanak Dev Ji to provide sweet fresh water to the local community. As a yaadgar asthaan (memorial site), Gurdwara Aarti Sahib preserves an irreplaceable chapter of Sikh sacred geography in eastern India, and its presence in Puri — one of the four sacred dhams of Hinduism — is a living testament to the universal, inclusive spirit of Guru Nanak's teachings. Historical ## Detailed History The history of Gurdwara Bauli Math Sahib is inseparably linked with the second major Udasi of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, undertaken approximately between 1506 and 1513 CE, during which the Guru traveled extensively through the eastern regions of the Indian subcontinent. Guru Nanak Dev Ji is believed to have arrived at Jagannath Puri around 1509 CE, accompanying his devoted companion Bhai Mardana. Puri was then, as it is now, one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage centers in India, home to the grand Jagannath Temple. According to Sikh historical accounts and Janam Sakhis — traditional biographical narratives — Guru Nanak's arrival in Puri was marked by a notable refusal to participate in the aarti ritual at the Jagannath Temple in the conventional manner. Instead, he is said to have recited the Aarti hymn ('Gagan mein thaal'), declaring that the entire cosmos is God's altar, with the sun and moon as lamps and the stars as pearls of offering. During his stay, the Guru was reportedly approached by local inhabitants who described their suffering due to the scarcity of potable water, as the underground water across much of the coastal Puri area was brackish and salty. According to tradition, Guru Nanak Dev Ji instructed that a well be dug at a specific location, and when the well was completed with 38 descending steps in the classic baoli style, it yielded sweet, fresh water. This well came to be known as the 'Bauli' and the settlement around it as 'Bauli Math,' providing the gurdwara its enduring name. The formal establishment of a shrine to commemorate these events is believed to have been undertaken in the mid-seventeenth century, around the 1650s, by Bhai Almast, a prominent Udasi preacher. Bhai Almast had been deputed by Baba Gurditta — eldest son of Guru Hargobind Sahib, the sixth Sikh Guru — to carry the message of Guru Nanak to the eastern provinces. He established both Gurdwara Bauli Math Sahib and Gurdwara Mangu Math in Puri, which were thereafter administered by Udasi mahants for several centuries. In the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, concerns arose regarding the management and gurmaryada compliance of these shrines under mahant control. On 8 January 2007, a formal Hukumnama — a directive — was issued after a meeting of the five Singh Sahibaans at Sri Akal Takhat, Amritsar, entrusting Baba Shamsher Singh Ji, the head of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Religious and Charitable Trust, with the sewa of re-establishing Sikh religious practices at Gurdwara Bauli Math Sahib and associated shrines in Puri. ## Structures in the Complex ### The Historic Bauli (Stepped Well) sacred_well The defining feature of the gurdwara complex, this is the ancient stepped well with 38 descending stone steps that is central to the founding legend of the site. According to Sikh tradition, this well was dug at the blessing of Guru Nanak Dev Ji around 1509 CE to provide sweet fresh water to the local community. The well is considered the most sacred element of the site. ### Darbar Sahib (Main Prayer Hall) prayer_hall The main hall of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib is enshrined. This is where daily prayers, kirtan, and religious programs are conducted. The hall has been renovated over the centuries and is the spiritual center of the gurdwara complex, receiving pilgrims and devotees throughout the day. ### Langar Hall community_kitchen The community kitchen and dining hall where free meals are prepared and served to all visitors regardless of religion or background. This facility embodies the Sikh principle of Seva (selfless service) and Sangat (community), and operates daily with expanded capacity during Gurpurabs and major festivals. ### Nishan Sahib (Flag Post) religious_marker The tall triangular flag bearing the Khanda symbol — the emblem of the Sikh faith — that marks the gurdwara as a Sikh place of worship and is visible from a distance, guiding pilgrims to the shrine. ### Pilgrim Accommodation accommodation Basic accommodation facilities maintained within or adjacent to the gurdwara complex for visiting pilgrims and devotees, particularly those traveling from distant locations for Gurpurabs or personal pilgrimage. ## Visitor Information ### Dress Code Modest, respectful attire required; head must be covered (scarves/rumaals available at the entrance); shoes must be removed before entering the premises ### Photography Generally permitted in outer areas; photography inside the Darbar Sahib should be done respectfully and only where permitted ### Etiquette Visitors must wash hands and feet before entering the inner sanctum; alcohol, tobacco, and non-vegetarian food are strictly prohibited on the premises; maintain silence and reverence inside the Darbar Sahib; bow respectfully before the Guru Granth Sahib ## Climate & Best Time to Visit ## Langar (Free Community Kitchen) The langar hall can accommodate a reasonable number of pilgrims at a time, with service extended during peak pilgrim seasons and major festivals Seating Capacity ## Architecture Gurdwara Bauli Math Sahib is believed to follow the traditional architectural style associated with Udasi-established shrines, which often blend elements of North Indian and regional Orissan styles. The most defining architectural feature of the site is the historic Bauli — the stepped well with 38 descending steps — which is considered the sacred heart of the complex. This stepped-well structure is constructed in a style common to traditional baolis found across the Indian subcontinent, with stone steps leading down to the water level. The main prayer hall, or Darbar Sahib, is housed in a building that is believed to have been renovated and modified over the centuries since its original establishment by Bhai Almast in the mid-seventeenth century. The complex includes a langar hall for the preparation and distribution of community meals, accommodation facilities for visiting pilgrims, and a flag post bearing the Nishan Sahib — the distinctive triangular Sikh flag — marking it as a Sikh place of worship. The overall complex reflects ongoing efforts by the managing trust to renovate and restore the site to a condition befitting its historical and spiritual importance within Sikh heritage. ## Structures in the Complex ### The Historic Bauli (Stepped Well) sacred_well The defining feature of the gurdwara complex, this is the ancient stepped well with 38 descending stone steps that is central to the founding legend of the site. According to Sikh tradition, this well was dug at the blessing of Guru Nanak Dev Ji around 1509 CE to provide sweet fresh water to the local community. The well is considered the most sacred element of the site. ### Darbar Sahib (Main Prayer Hall) prayer_hall The main hall of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib is enshrined. This is where daily prayers, kirtan, and religious programs are conducted. The hall has been renovated over the centuries and is the spiritual center of the gurdwara complex, receiving pilgrims and devotees throughout the day. ### Langar Hall community_kitchen The community kitchen and dining hall where free meals are prepared and served to all visitors regardless of religion or background. This facility embodies the Sikh principle of Seva (selfless service) and Sangat (community), and operates daily with expanded capacity during Gurpurabs and major festivals. ### Nishan Sahib (Flag Post) religious_marker The tall triangular flag bearing the Khanda symbol — the emblem of the Sikh faith — that marks the gurdwara as a Sikh place of worship and is visible from a distance, guiding pilgrims to the shrine. ### Pilgrim Accommodation accommodation Basic accommodation facilities maintained within or adjacent to the gurdwara complex for visiting pilgrims and devotees, particularly those traveling from distant locations for Gurpurabs or personal pilgrimage. ## Events & Celebrations ### religious_festival #### Guru Nanak Dev Ji Prakash Utsav (Gurpurab) The most important annual celebration at Gurdwara Bauli Math Sahib, commemorating the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Observed typically in November (on the full moon of Kartik month), the Gurpurab features Akhand Path (uninterrupted reading of the Guru Granth Sahib), kirtan (devotional music), nagar kirtan (procession), and expanded langar service drawing pilgrims from across Odisha and beyond. #### Baisakhi Celebrations The Sikh New Year and harvest festival, observed every year on 13–14 April, is celebrated at the gurdwara with special ardas (prayers), kirtan, and community langar. Baisakhi also marks the founding of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699 and is a significant occasion for all Sikh shrines. #### Gurpurab of Guru Gobind Singh Ji The birth anniversary of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, celebrated in January, is observed with special religious programs, kirtan darbars, and community langar at the gurdwara. ### religious_cultural #### Hola Mohalla The Sikh festival of Hola Mohalla, celebrated the day after Holi, is observed with kirtan, prayers, and community gatherings. While most prominently celebrated at Anandpur Sahib, the occasion is also marked at gurdwaras across India including Gurdwara Bauli Math Sahib. ### pilgrimage #### Pilgrimage Circuit Visit during Rath Yatra Season During the famous Rath Yatra festival of the Jagannath Temple in Puri (typically June or July), large numbers of pilgrims visit the city, and many also visit Gurdwara Bauli Math Sahib as part of a broader sacred circuit of the holy city of Puri, increasing footfall and community engagement at the gurdwara. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### history The name derives from the Punjabi/Hindi word 'Bauli' or 'Baoli,' meaning a stepped well. According to Sikh tradition, Guru Nanak Dev Ji blessed the digging of a well with 38 descending steps at this location during his visit to Puri around 1509 CE, providing sweet drinking water to a community that previously had only access to salty underground water. 'Math' refers to a religious establishment or monastery. Guru Nanak Dev Ji is believed to have visited Jagannath Puri during his second major Udasi (spiritual journey) in approximately 1509 CE. He was accompanied by his devoted companion Bhai Mardana during this extensive journey through the eastern regions of the Indian subcontinent. The formal establishment of the shrine is attributed to Bhai Almast, a notable Udasi preacher, in approximately the mid-seventeenth century. He was deputed by Baba Gurditta (eldest son of Guru Hargobind Sahib) to preach in the eastern provinces and established this shrine along with Gurdwara Mangu Math to commemorate Guru Nanak's visit to Puri. While the two are separate religious institutions, they are geographically close and historically connected. Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited the Jagannath Temple during his stay in Puri, and his famous composition of the cosmic Aarti ('Gagan mein thaal') is believed to have been delivered there. The gurdwara commemorates the Guru's broader stay and mission in Puri, which included his interactions with the Jagannath Temple priests. ### visitor_info No, there is no entry fee. Gurdwara Bauli Math Sahib is open to all visitors free of charge, regardless of religion, caste, or background. Free langar (community meals) is also available to all visitors. Visitors must wear modest clothing and cover their heads before entering. Scarves or rumaals (head coverings) are usually available at the entrance if needed. Shoes must be removed before entering the premises. Alcohol, tobacco, and non-vegetarian food are not permitted on the gurdwara grounds. ### transport The most convenient way is to fly into Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar (approximately 60 km away) and then take a bus or taxi to Puri. Alternatively, Puri has its own railway station well-connected to major Indian cities. Within Puri, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws can take you to the gurdwara. 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