# Gurdwara Bhai Daya Singh Bhai Dharam Singh Ji Aurangabad - History, Timings & Visitor Guide | GurdwaraSahib.in > Visit Gurdwara Bhai Daya Singh Bhai Dharam Singh Ji, Aurangabad — historic site of the Zafarnama mission, 1706. Timings, history & visitor info. # Gurdwara Bhai Daya Singh Bhai Dharam Singh Ji Aurangabad Get Directions Share: Entry: Dress Code: Gurdwara Bhai Daya Singh Bhai Dharam Singh Ji stands as one of the most historically significant Sikh shrines in the Deccan region of India, located in the Dhawani Mohalla (also known as Dhami Mohalla) area of Aurangabad — now officially named Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar — in the state of Maharashtra. The gurdwara marks the very spot where two of the most revered figures in Sikh history, Bhai Daya Singh Ji and Bhai Dharam Singh Ji, resided during their fateful mission to deliver the Zafarnama, Guru Gobind Singh's celebrated 'Declaration of Victory,' to the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1706. This sacred site is more than a place of worship; it is a living monument to Sikh courage, devotion, and the enduring spiritual authority of the Tenth Sikh Guru. The gurdwara serves the local Sikh sangat (congregation) of Aurangabad, a city more commonly associated with Mughal monuments such as the Bibi Ka Maqbara and proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage caves of Ajanta and Ellora. Yet for Sikhs, Aurangabad holds its own deeply spiritual resonance, anchored by this gurdwara's connection to a turning point in Sikh history. Pilgrims, history enthusiasts, and devout Sikhs from across Maharashtra and beyond visit this shrine to pay homage to Bhai Daya Singh, the first of the Panj Pyare (Five Beloved Ones), and Bhai Dharam Singh, another of the original initiated Khalsa. The gurdwara functions as the spiritual and social hub of the Sikh community in Aurangabad. Regular prayers, kirtan (devotional music), and the langar (community kitchen) are conducted here, providing free meals to all visitors regardless of faith, caste, or background — a hallmark of Sikh egalitarianism. Notably, the gurdwara also operates a residential school where young boys receive education in Gurbani (scripture reading), kirtan, and the Sikh way of life, ensuring that the spiritual heritage of this place is transmitted to future generations. Visitors to the gurdwara are warmly welcomed by the local sangat and can experience the serene atmosphere of the darbar sahib, participate in ardas (prayer), and partake in langar. Given its location in the heart of Aurangabad city, the gurdwara is accessible from all major landmarks and serves as an important waypoint for Sikh travelers exploring the broader pilgrimage trail across Maharashtra, which includes the Hazur Sahib Nanded gurdwara, one of the five takhts (seats of temporal authority) of Sikhism, located approximately 230 kilometres away. ## Significance Gurdwara Bhai Daya Singh Bhai Dharam Singh Ji holds extraordinary religious and historical significance within the Sikh faith. The gurdwara commemorates the mission of two of the original Panj Pyare — the Five Beloved Ones — who were the first to be initiated into the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Anandpur Sahib on Baisakhi 1699. Bhai Daya Singh, who offered himself first during the founding of the Khalsa, holds a uniquely revered place in Sikh consciousness as a symbol of selfless devotion. The gurdwara thus connects worshippers directly to the founding spirit of the Khalsa. The site also commemorates the historic delivery of the Zafarnama, a document of immense spiritual and political importance in Sikh history. This letter, composed by Guru Gobind Singh, is included in the Dasam Granth — the sacred compilation attributed to the Tenth Guru — and continues to be studied and recited in Sikh religious tradition. The gurdwara therefore stands at the intersection of devotion and history, reminding the faithful of the courage required to speak truth to power. For the local Sikh community in Aurangabad and across Maharashtra, the gurdwara is also a center of community identity and social service. Its residential school for young boys preserves the oral and musical traditions of Gurbani and kirtan. The gurdwara's langar embodies the Sikh principle of seva (selfless service), serving meals to all without distinction. The shrine further strengthens the broader pilgrimage network of Maharashtra Sikh shrines, complementing the sacred geography centered on Hazur Sahib Nanded, where Guru Gobind Singh spent his final days. ## Nearby Gurdwaras ### Gurdwara Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Langar Sahib Ji Aurangabad India 1.5 km away Open 24 hours daily; Darbar Sahib timing... Gurdwara Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Langar Sahib Ji, situated in the Sindhi Colony area of Mondha Naka on Jalna Road, Aurangabad (officially Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar), Maharashtra, is a revered Sikh place of worship that stands as a living embodiment of the core Sikh values of seva (selfless service), equality, and community upliftment. The surrounding neighbourhood has come to be affectionately known as G.T.B. Nagar in honour of the gurdwara, a testament to its deep integration with the fabric of local life. The gurdwara is dedicated to Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, the ninth of the ten Sikh Gurus, who gave his life defending the right to freedom of faith and is revered across traditions as "Hind di Chadar" — the Shield of India. Set in a region better known for its UNESCO World Heritage cave complexes at Ajanta and Ellora and its Mughal-era monuments, this gurdwara offers a distinct cultural and spiritual counterpoint — a living sanctuary of Sikh devotion in the heart of Maharashtra. Aurangabad has historically been a crossroads of faiths and civilisations, and the presence of a gurdwara named in memory of Guru Tegh Bahadur carries particular poignancy: it was the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, whose name the city bears, who ordered the Guru's martyrdom in 1675. The gurdwara is primarily a community gurdwara, serving the local Sikh sangat (congregation) as well as pilgrims and travellers passing through Aurangabad on their way to Hazur Sahib Nanded, one of Sikhism's five Takhts, located approximately 270 kilometres to the south. Many pilgrims making the journey to Nanded halt at this gurdwara for rest, refreshment, and spiritual sustenance. Among its most prominent features is its langar hall, which operates around the clock, offering free meals to all visitors without distinction of religion, caste, gender, or economic status. The gurdwara is wheelchair accessible and maintains facilities for overnight stays, making it a welcoming destination for pilgrims and travellers alike. Dedicated sevadars (volunteers) ensure that the langar and the premises run smoothly, embodying the principle that service to humanity is service to the Divine. The institution is widely regarded as a "Symbol of Unity and Selfless Service regardless of caste, creed, colour, or community," words inscribed in its own community description. Historical ### Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Aurangabad India 2.3 km away 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily; special extend... Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Aurangabad is a community Sikh place of worship situated in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India — a city now officially known as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Located at coordinates 19.868063, 75.326437, this gurdwara serves as the spiritual and social heart of the Sikh community residing in and around Aurangabad, a city celebrated globally for its proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Ajanta and Ellora Caves. The name 'Guru Singh Sabha' reflects its founding under the banner of the Singh Sabha movement, a broad 19th-century Sikh renaissance that established congregational institutions across India to reinvigorate Sikh identity, education, and religious practice. As a community gurdwara, Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Aurangabad functions as a centre for daily prayer, congregational worship (sangat), the recitation of Gurbani (sacred hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib Ji), and the serving of langar — the free community kitchen that is a hallmark of every gurdwara worldwide. The institution is open to all people regardless of religion, caste, or creed, embodying the Sikh principle of sarbat da bhala, or universal well-being. Aurangabad holds a special place in Sikh history. The city was visited by Bhai Daya Singh, one of the revered Panj Pyare (the Five Beloved Ones), who was dispatched by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1705 on the historic mission to deliver the Zafarnama — the 'Epistle of Victory' — to Emperor Aurangzeb. This direct connection with one of Sikhism's most significant historical episodes gives Aurangabad's Sikh community a sense of deep spiritual heritage. Today, the gurdwara draws both local devotees and visitors — including Sikh pilgrims touring the Deccan region who often combine a visit here with a journey to Hazur Sahib Nanded, one of the five Takhts (seats of temporal authority) of Sikhism, located approximately 270 kilometres away. The gurdwara provides free meals, accommodation for visiting pilgrims, and regular religious programmes including akhand path (unbroken reading of the Guru Granth Sahib), kirtan (devotional singing), and katha (spiritual discourses). It is an active centre for community welfare, youth engagement, and preservation of Punjabi language and Sikh culture in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra. Historical ### Station Gurdwara Aurangabad India 4.1 km away Approximately 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily; h... Station Gurdwara Aurangabad, formally known as Gurdwara Bhai Saheb Bhai Daya Singh Ji Bhai Dharam Singh Ji, is one of the most historically significant Sikh shrines in the Deccan region of India. Situated on Railway Station Road in the Dhami Mohalla area of Aurangabad — now officially known as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar — in Maharashtra, the gurdwara stands as a living memorial to a pivotal episode in early Sikh history: the delivery of the Zafarnama, Guru Gobind Singh's celebrated "Declaration of Victory," to the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1706. The gurdwara commemorates the historic stay of Bhai Daya Singh, the foremost of the Panj Pyare (the Five Beloved Ones) of Guru Gobind Singh, and his companion Bhai Dharam Singh. Their mission to deliver the Zafarnama to Emperor Aurangzeb brought them to this city, and the house where Bhai Daya Singh resided during that extraordinary diplomatic endeavor eventually became a gathering place for local Sikhs. A sangat (congregation) formed naturally around the sanctity of the place, and over time it grew into the gurdwara that stands today. Conveniently located near the Aurangabad railway station — which is precisely how it came to earn its colloquial name, "Station Gurdwara" — the shrine serves both the local Sikh community and the steady stream of pilgrims and travelers who pass through this historically rich city. Aurangabad is a major tourism gateway to UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Ajanta Caves and the Ellora Caves, making it a city that welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors from across India and around the world each year. The gurdwara is attended and maintained by the small but devoted Sikh population of Aurangabad. Beyond its role as a house of worship, it operates a residential school for young boys, offering education in scripture-reading, kirtan (devotional music), and the Sikh way of life — a remarkable contribution to the preservation of Sikh religious and cultural heritage in a predominantly non-Sikh region of India. As with all gurdwaras, the doors of Station Gurdwara Aurangabad are open to people of every religion, caste, gender, and nationality without exception. Visitors are welcomed with the universal Sikh tradition of langar, the free community kitchen where nutritious meals are prepared and served by volunteers as an act of selfless service (seva). The atmosphere within is one of peace, devotion, and universal brotherhood — values central to the Sikh faith since its founding by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the 15th century. For Sikh pilgrims undertaking the sacred yatra (journey) of Maharashtra's gurdwaras — a circuit that often includes the supreme Sikh Takhts at Hazur Sahib in nearby Nanded — Station Gurdwara Aurangabad holds a place of profound reverence. It represents not just a place of prayer but a tangible link to the courage and devotion of the Panj Pyare, whose sacrifice and service to the tenth Sikh Guru helped shape the destiny of the entire Sikh nation. Historical ## Detailed History The history of Gurdwara Bhai Daya Singh Bhai Dharam Singh Ji is inseparably linked to one of the most dramatic episodes in Sikh history — the delivery of the Zafarnama. In 1705, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Tenth Sikh Guru, composed the Zafarnama — a powerful letter in Persian verse addressed to Emperor Aurangzeb, the Mughal ruler of India. In this letter, the Guru challenged the emperor's treachery at the Battle of Anandpur and proclaimed the moral and spiritual victory of the Khalsa despite their military losses. To deliver this historic letter, Guru Gobind Singh entrusted two of his most loyal companions: Bhai Daya Singh Ji and Bhai Dharam Singh Ji, both of the original Panj Pyare. In 1706, the two Sikh emissaries set out southward from the Punjab toward the Deccan, where Aurangzeb held court. Upon arriving in Aurangabad — then the administrative capital of the Mughal Deccan — they discovered that the aging emperor had shifted to Ahmadnagar. The two Sikhs proceeded to Ahmadnagar but found it impossible to obtain an audience with Aurangzeb through normal channels. They returned to Aurangabad, where the group deliberated on their next course of action. It was decided that Bhai Dharam Singh would return to Punjab to consult with Guru Gobind Singh on further guidance, while Bhai Daya Singh would remain in Aurangabad with a small group of Sikhs and await his colleague's return. During his extended stay in Aurangabad, Bhai Daya Singh Ji demonstrated great resourcefulness and diplomacy. He cultivated contacts among influential Mughal court officials and, through these intermediaries, ultimately succeeded in ensuring that the Zafarnama was delivered to Emperor Aurangzeb. The letter is said to have deeply moved the emperor, contributing to a shift in his attitude in his final years. Aurangzeb died in Ahmadnagar in February 1707, shortly after receiving the Zafarnama. The residence where Bhai Daya Singh Ji stayed during this mission became a gathering point for the local Sikh community, giving rise to a sangat. Over the generations, this informal meeting place gradually evolved into a formal gurdwara in memory of the two great Sikhs. The present structure of the gurdwara was constructed by the local sangat in the 1960s, reflecting the community's commitment to preserving this sacred legacy. The site has been maintained by the Sikh community of Aurangabad ever since, standing as a proud reminder of the audacity and devotion of Guru Gobind Singh's emissaries. ## Structures in the Complex ### Main Darbar Sahib prayer_hall The central prayer hall of the gurdwara where the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is installed under a canopied palki (palanquin). The congregation gathers here for daily prayers, kirtan, and ardas. The hall is the spiritual heart of the gurdwara and the site that marks the historic residence of Bhai Daya Singh Ji during the Zafarnama mission in 1706. ### Langar Hall langar_hall The community kitchen and dining hall where free meals are prepared and served to all visitors, pilgrims, and community members without distinction of religion, caste, or background. The langar hall embodies the Sikh principle of equality and selfless service (seva) that is central to gurdwara life. ### Nishan Sahib tower The tall flagpole bearing the triangular Sikh flag (Nishan Sahib) with the Khanda emblem, prominently displayed at the entrance of the gurdwara. It serves as a visible marker of the gurdwara's presence in the Dhawani Mohalla neighborhood and symbolizes the sovereignty and presence of the Guru. ### Residential School prayer_hall A dedicated section of the gurdwara complex housing the residential school for young boys, where students receive training in Gurbani (scripture reading), kirtan (devotional music), and the Sikh way of life. This educational institution ensures the preservation and transmission of Sikh spiritual traditions to future generations. ### Entrance Gateway entrance The main entrance to the gurdwara complex, where visitors remove their shoes and cover their heads before entering. A shoe stand and head coverings (rumaals/scarves) are typically available for those who require them. The gateway sets the tone of reverence and humility that characterizes the sacred space within. ## Visitor Information ### Dress Code Head must be covered (scarves or rumaals available at entrance); shoes must be removed before entering; modest, respectful clothing required ### Photography Photography is generally permitted in the outer premises; avoid photographing the darbar sahib interior without seeking permission from the granthi ### Etiquette Bow before the Guru Granth Sahib upon entering; avoid smoking, alcohol, and non-vegetarian food on the premises; maintain silence and reverence in the darbar sahib; participate in langar with humility ## Climate & Best Time to Visit ## Langar (Free Community Kitchen) The langar serves the local sangat and visiting pilgrims; capacity is modest given the gurdwara's community scale Seating Capacity ## Architecture The present structure of Gurdwara Bhai Daya Singh Bhai Dharam Singh Ji was built by the local Sikh sangat in the 1960s. The building follows the traditional Punjabi-influenced gurdwara architectural style, characterized by a central darbar sahib (prayer hall) where the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is installed and where the congregation gathers for prayers and kirtan. The structure features the typical white-washed exterior and is topped with a dome, a hallmark of Sikh religious architecture, and is adorned with the Nishan Sahib — the Sikh triangular flag — prominently displayed to mark the gurdwara's presence. The complex includes a langar hall where the community kitchen operates, preparing and serving free meals to all visitors. Given its relatively modest size, reflective of the smaller Sikh population of Aurangabad compared to major Punjabi cities, the gurdwara maintains an intimate and devotional ambiance. The darbar sahib houses the sanctum where the Guru Granth Sahib is placed under a canopied palki (palanquin). The gurdwara's residential school occupies a portion of the complex, providing accommodation for students. The overall complex, while not among the grandest gurdwaras in India, carries immense spiritual weight owing to its historical associations with Bhai Daya Singh Ji and the Zafarnama mission. ## Structures in the Complex ### Main Darbar Sahib prayer_hall The central prayer hall of the gurdwara where the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is installed under a canopied palki (palanquin). The congregation gathers here for daily prayers, kirtan, and ardas. The hall is the spiritual heart of the gurdwara and the site that marks the historic residence of Bhai Daya Singh Ji during the Zafarnama mission in 1706. ### Langar Hall langar_hall The community kitchen and dining hall where free meals are prepared and served to all visitors, pilgrims, and community members without distinction of religion, caste, or background. The langar hall embodies the Sikh principle of equality and selfless service (seva) that is central to gurdwara life. ### Nishan Sahib tower The tall flagpole bearing the triangular Sikh flag (Nishan Sahib) with the Khanda emblem, prominently displayed at the entrance of the gurdwara. It serves as a visible marker of the gurdwara's presence in the Dhawani Mohalla neighborhood and symbolizes the sovereignty and presence of the Guru. ### Residential School prayer_hall A dedicated section of the gurdwara complex housing the residential school for young boys, where students receive training in Gurbani (scripture reading), kirtan (devotional music), and the Sikh way of life. This educational institution ensures the preservation and transmission of Sikh spiritual traditions to future generations. ### Entrance Gateway entrance The main entrance to the gurdwara complex, where visitors remove their shoes and cover their heads before entering. A shoe stand and head coverings (rumaals/scarves) are typically available for those who require them. The gateway sets the tone of reverence and humility that characterizes the sacred space within. ## Events & Celebrations ### gurpurab #### Guru Gobind Singh Ji Gurpurab The birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, founder of the Khalsa and the Guru who dispatched Bhai Daya Singh and Bhai Dharam Singh on the Zafarnama mission, is celebrated with special significance at this gurdwara. Akhand path, kirtan darbars, and extended langar are organized. Typically observed in December–January. #### Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurab The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, is observed with akhand path, prabhat pheris (early morning kirtan processions), and langar. This is one of the most widely celebrated Gurpurabs across all gurdwaras worldwide. Observed in October–November on the full moon of the Kartik month. ### festival #### Baisakhi — Khalsa Foundation Day Baisakhi (April 13/14) commemorates the founding of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699 at Anandpur Sahib, when Bhai Daya Singh was the first to offer himself as one of the Panj Pyare. This is celebrated with great devotion at this gurdwara, which is directly linked to the legacy of the Panj Pyare, with nagar kirtan, kirtan programs, and community langar. #### Hola Mohalla Hola Mohalla, celebrated the day after Holi, was instituted by Guru Gobind Singh Ji to foster martial arts, courage, and community spirit among the Khalsa. The gurdwara observes this occasion with kirtan, prayers, and community gathering in the spirit of the Guru's legacy. ### historical #### Zafarnama Diwas — Remembrance of the Historic Mission The gurdwara observes special prayers and kirtan in memory of the Zafarnama mission, commemorating the stay of Bhai Daya Singh Ji in Aurangabad in 1706. Special katha (religious discourse) narrating the history of the Zafarnama, the Panj Pyare, and the significance of the gurdwara's location is conducted for the sangat and visiting pilgrims. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### visiting The gurdwara is generally open from approximately 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily, following the standard schedule of Sikh gurdwaras. Morning prayers (Nitnem and Asa di Var) begin before dawn, and evening prayers (Rehras Sahib and Kirtan Sohila) are conducted at dusk. Visitors are advised to contact the gurdwara directly for confirmed timings, especially during Gurpurabs when schedules may extend. Yes, langar (free community kitchen) is available at the gurdwara for all visitors, regardless of religion, caste, or background. This is a universal practice at all Sikh gurdwaras in keeping with the principle of seva (selfless service). Langar is typically served at midday and evening, and on special occasions such as Gurpurabs, extended langar is organized for larger gatherings. Yes, the gurdwara operates a residential school for young boys focused on scripture-reading (Gurbani), kirtan (devotional music), and the Sikh way of life. This school plays an important role in preserving and transmitting the spiritual and musical traditions of Sikhism among the next generation of the local Sikh community. The main festivals celebrated at the gurdwara include Guru Gobind Singh Ji's Gurpurab (Parkash Utsav), Baisakhi (celebrating the founding of the Khalsa on April 13, 1699), Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Gurpurab, and the Gurpurabs of Bhai Daya Singh Ji and the other Panj Pyare. These occasions feature extended kirtan, akhand path (continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib), nagar kirtan processions, and special langar for the community. ### history The gurdwara commemorates the historic stay of Bhai Daya Singh Ji and Bhai Dharam Singh Ji — two of the original Panj Pyare of Guru Gobind Singh — who came to Aurangabad in 1706 to deliver the Zafarnama (Declaration of Victory) to Emperor Aurangzeb. Bhai Daya Singh remained in Aurangabad while Bhai Dharam Singh returned to Punjab, and the house where he stayed became a sangat gathering place that eventually became this gurdwara. The present building was constructed by the local sangat in the 1960s. Bhai Daya Singh Ji was the first of the Panj Pyare — the Five Beloved Ones — who offered himself first when Guru Gobind Singh Ji called for volunteers willing to give their lives during the founding of the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib on Baisakhi 1699. He later participated in the Battles of Anandpur and Chamkaur, and was entrusted by the Guru to deliver the famous Zafarnama to Emperor Aurangzeb. He is revered as one of the most devoted and courageous Sikhs in history. The Zafarnama ('Declaration of Victory') is a celebrated letter written in Persian verse by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1705, addressed to Emperor Aurangzeb. It morally challenged the emperor's treachery and asserted the spiritual victory of the Khalsa. Guru Gobind Singh sent Bhai Daya Singh Ji and Bhai Dharam Singh Ji to deliver this letter. They stayed in Aurangabad during this mission in 1706, and the gurdwara was established at the site of their residence. ### transport The gurdwara is located in Dhawani Mohalla, near Shah Ganj, in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar). By air, the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Airport (IXU) is approximately 8 km away. By train, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Railway Station is 2–3 km away. Auto-rickshaws, city buses, and app-based cabs (Ola/Uber) are readily available from anywhere in the city. Suggest an Edit Upload Photos ![Marker](https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/images/marker-icon.png) Gurdwara Bhai Daya Singh Bhai Dharam Singh Ji Aurangabad Leaflet Get Directions → ### Contribute Help improve this page. Suggest edits, add photos, or share information about this Gurdwara. Suggest an Edit