# Gurdwara Guru Nanak Satsang Lalitpur - History, Timings & Visitor Guide | GurdwaraSahib.in > Visit Gurdwara Guru Nanak Satsang, Kupondole, Lalitpur — Nepal's main Sikh gurdwara, founded 1976. Timings, history & visitor guide. # Gurdwara Guru Nanak Satsang Lalitpur Get Directions Share: Entry: Dress Code: Gurdwara Guru Nanak Satsang stands as the spiritual and community heart of Nepal's Sikh population, located in the vibrant neighbourhood of Kupondole in Lalitpur (also known as Patan), just across the Bagmati River from Kathmandu. Sitting at coordinates 27.688688° N, 85.315188° E, the gurdwara occupies a compound of seven ropanies of land near the Bagmati Bridge, offering a peaceful sanctuary amid one of South Asia's most historically and culturally rich urban landscapes. It is widely regarded as the primary Sikh institution in Nepal and serves as the central point for religious gatherings, community service, and cultural preservation for Sikhs residing across the Kathmandu Valley and beyond. The gurdwara's full name — Guru Nanak Satsang — translates to 'the sacred congregation of Guru Nanak,' honouring the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who is traditionally believed to have journeyed through the Himalayan foothills, including regions of Nepal, during his third Udasi (spiritual sojourn) around 1515–1516. This historical connection lends the gurdwara a profound spiritual resonance that goes beyond its relatively modern establishment. The compound accommodates a main prayer hall housing the Guru Granth Sahib — the eternal living scripture of the Sikhs — alongside a langar hall, a Yatri Niwas (pilgrim guest house), and a library used for teaching Gurmukhi script, Punjabi language, and Sikh history to younger generations. Daily hukamnama (scriptural reading) and kirtan (devotional singing) take place in the prayer hall, creating an atmosphere of calm devotion that draws not just Sikh worshippers but also curious tourists, Hindus, Buddhists, and travellers of all faiths seeking spiritual solace. Every Saturday, the gurdwara hosts its main weekly congregation, featuring kirtan by local youth groups and culminating in langar — the free community meal that is one of Sikhism's most cherished egalitarian traditions. On Gurpurabs (anniversaries marking the birth or passing of Sikh Gurus), the gurdwara transforms into a vibrant hub of celebration, drawing Sikhs from across Nepal and even from neighbouring India. The institution's reputation for openness — welcoming every visitor regardless of caste, creed, religion, or nationality — has made it a quiet symbol of interfaith harmony in a city renowned for its religious plurality. Lalitpur itself, known as the 'City of Beauty,' is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Patan Durbar Square, numerous Buddhist viharas, and ancient Hindu temples. The gurdwara sits comfortably within this tapestry of faith, serving as a living testament to the enduring presence of the Sikh diaspora in the Himalayan nation of Nepal. ## Significance Gurdwara Guru Nanak Satsang Lalitpur holds deep religious and cultural significance as the foremost Sikh institution in Nepal. Its name invokes Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism (1469–1539), who is traditionally said to have traversed through the Himalayan regions of Nepal during his third Udasi around 1515–1516, meditating at various sacred sites. This connection — though historical documentation remains limited — imbues the gurdwara with a spiritual prestige that resonates strongly with Sikh pilgrims. As the central point for Sikh religious life in Nepal, the gurdwara fulfils the five pillars of any functioning gurdwara: the prakash (installation) of the Guru Granth Sahib, daily hukamnama, kirtan, langar, and sangat (congregation). It is a place where the Sikh diaspora in Nepal comes together to preserve their faith, language, and culture far from their ancestral homeland in Punjab. The institution also plays a vital role in interfaith harmony. Situated in Lalitpur, a city where Hindu temples and Buddhist viharas coexist in remarkable proximity, the gurdwara embraces Guru Nanak's universal teachings by welcoming worshippers of all religions and backgrounds. For many Nepali Hindus and Buddhists, the gurdwara is a place of cultural curiosity and spiritual admiration. It stands as a living embodiment of the Sikh principle of Sarbat da Bhala — the welfare of all humanity — and is a pilgrimage stop for Sikh travellers on religious circuits through Nepal and northern India. ## Nearby Gurdwaras ### Gurudwara ललितपुर महानगरपालिका, India 12 m away Gurudwara is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in India. It is situated in India, the birthplace of Sikhism and home to the largest Sikh population in the world. As with all gurdwaras, Gurudwara welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva). Community ### Guru Nanak Math, Gurudwara Kathmandu, Nepal Made by King of Nepal in 1515-1516. Manjit Singh Khalsa Discovered This Place 1992 but That Time Building Condition Was Very Bad. Manjit Singh Khalsa President of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Sewa Society Inter India 4.2 km away Open daily, typically 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM;... Guru Nanak Math (Gurdwara Guru Nanak Math) is one of the oldest and most historically significant Sikh shrines in the Himalayan region, located on the banks of the sacred Bishnumati River in Balaju, Kathmandu, Nepal. Situated near the Bishnumati Bridge at Naya Bazar, the gurdwara stands approximately 4 kilometres north of central Kathmandu at coordinates 27.7257°N, 85.3064°E. The site is revered across the Sikh world as the place where Guru Nanak Dev — the founder of Sikhism — is believed to have meditated during his third great spiritual journey (Udasi) around 1515–1516 AD, making it one of the earliest known Sikh sacred sites outside the Indian subcontinent. From the outside, the gurdwara retains the modest appearance of a traditional Nepali farmhouse — lime-washed walls, an ochre-plastered doorway, and a small black-painted door through which visitors must stoop to enter. Yet its interior holds treasures of immeasurable spiritual value: a stone slab under a great pipal tree marking the precise spot where Guru Nanak is believed to have sat in deep meditation, a 300-year-old handwritten copy of the Guru Granth Sahib said to be the oldest in Nepal, a 27-foot-deep sacred well on whose walls inscriptions of the Mool Mantra (the foundational Sikh prayer) have been discovered, and a rabab (musical instrument) traditionally associated with Bhai Mardana, Guru Nanak's beloved companion. The site was also historically known as Sangat Bari and Charbaksh Sthan before adopting its current name. In 1992, Manjit Singh Khalsa, President of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Sewa Society International (SGNDSSI), USA, rediscovered this sacred site in a severely deteriorated state. Recognising its immense historical and spiritual importance, he mobilised SGNDSSI to undertake the complete repair and restoration of the building, breathing new life into a monument on the verge of being lost to neglect. Today, Guru Nanak Math serves as a pilgrimage destination for Sikhs travelling through Nepal, a site of quiet contemplation for devotees of all faiths, and a living testimony to the extraordinary reach of Guru Nanak's spiritual journeys across Asia. The gurdwara is relatively undiscovered by mainstream tourism, preserving its serene, meditative atmosphere amid the bustling growth of modern Kathmandu. Historical ## Detailed History The history of Gurdwara Guru Nanak Satsang Lalitpur is inseparable from the story of the Sikh community's gradual establishment in Nepal, a journey spanning nearly seven decades. The earliest Sikh presence in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley can be traced to the mid-nineteenth century, when Maharani Jind Kaur — the last queen of the Sikh Empire and mother of Maharaja Duleep Singh — fled British colonial persecution and sought asylum in Kathmandu around 1849. During her years in exile, she maintained Sikh religious observances, quietly planting seeds of the faith in the Himalayan kingdom. The modern congregation, however, owes its origins principally to Sardar Pritam Singh Ji, a pioneering Sikh entrepreneur from Jammu and Kashmir, India, who arrived in Nepal in 1958 with three trucks and established one of Nepal's earliest commercial transportation companies. Recognizing the need for a spiritual home for the growing Sikh community, Sardar Pritam Singh Ji took the initiative of setting up a gurdwara in 1957 in a small rented room on Kathmandu's New Road — a humble beginning that would eventually grow into the established institution it is today. In 1965, as the congregation expanded and the rented premises proved insufficient, the gurdwara was relocated to a place called Akhara, near the banks of the Bagmati River, where it functioned for approximately three years. During this transitional period, Sardar Pritam Singh Ji and Sardar Randhir Singh Ji worked tirelessly to mobilize community funds, eventually purchasing seven ropanies of land at Kupondole, near the Bagmati Bridge in Lalitpur. This land would become the permanent home of the gurdwara. The formal establishment of Gurdwara Guru Nanak Satsang at Kupondole was completed in 1976, under the patronage of Sardar Pritam Singh Ji. The completed complex included a main prayer hall, langar facilities, and accommodation for visiting pilgrims. Over the following decades, the gurdwara expanded its services to include a Yatri Niwas for pilgrims and a library for community education. It grew into what is widely acknowledged as the main body of the Sikh community in Nepal, offering not only religious services but also social support to Sikh families who had migrated to the country for trade, business, and employment. Today, the gurdwara continues to serve the descendants of those early settlers while also welcoming a new generation of devotees and international visitors. ## Structures in the Complex ### Darbar Sahib (Main Prayer Hall) prayer_hall The central sanctum of the gurdwara, housing the Guru Granth Sahib under a beautiful canopy (palki). Daily hukamnama and kirtan are conducted here. The hall accommodates the sangat for prayers, and its atmosphere of devotional music and incense creates a deeply spiritual environment. ### Langar Hall langar_hall A spacious community dining hall where free vegetarian meals are prepared and served every Saturday and on special occasions. The langar hall embodies the Sikh principle of equality, with all visitors seated together on the floor and served without distinction of religion, caste, or social status. ### Yatri Niwas (Pilgrim Guest House) prayer_hall A dedicated accommodation facility within the gurdwara compound providing lodging for visiting Sikh pilgrims and devotees, especially those attending Gurpurabs and religious events. It ensures that distance is no barrier to spiritual participation. ### Library and Educational Centre museum A learning space used for teaching Gurmukhi script, Punjabi language, and Sikh history to the younger generation of Nepal's Sikh community. It plays a crucial role in preserving Sikh cultural identity among Sikhs born and raised outside Punjab. ### Nishan Sahib (Flag Mast) tower The tall triangular saffron flag of the Sikhs, bearing the Khanda symbol, flies from the nishan sahib at the gurdwara entrance. It serves as a beacon visible from the surrounding Kupondole neighbourhood, marking the presence of the Sikh institution in Lalitpur. ## Visitor Information ### Dress Code Head covering required at all times (coverings available at entrance); remove shoes before entering; modest and clean clothing recommended ### Photography Photography is generally permitted in the compound; however, prior permission should be sought before photographing inside the Darbar Sahib during prayers ### Etiquette Cover your head before entering the prayer hall; remove footwear at the entrance; wash hands at the provided facilities; do not carry tobacco, alcohol, or non-vegetarian food into the premises; bow respectfully before the Guru Granth Sahib; sit cross-legged on the floor in the prayer hall; all are welcome regardless of religion, caste, or nationality ## Climate & Best Time to Visit ## Langar (Free Community Kitchen) Believed to accommodate approximately 100–200 people per meal sitting during regular Saturdays; larger gatherings are arranged during Gurpurabs Seating Capacity ## Architecture The gurdwara complex at Kupondole occupies a substantial compound of seven ropanies (approximately 3,500 square metres) set near the Bagmati Bridge in Lalitpur. The main prayer hall (Darbar Sahib) is the spiritual centrepiece, built in a style that blends traditional Sikh architectural elements — white-washed walls, a modest dome, and nishan sahib (Sikh flag mast) — with functional local construction suited to Nepal's seismic environment. The langar hall is a spacious, utilitarian space capable of accommodating the weekly Saturday congregation and large festival gatherings. The Yatri Niwas (pilgrim guest house) provides dormitory-style accommodation for visiting devotees, particularly during Gurpurabs when pilgrims travel from across Nepal and India. A library and educational space within the compound is used for Gurmukhi and Punjabi language instruction. The gurdwara's setting near the Bagmati River and within the culturally rich urban fabric of Lalitpur provides a serene backdrop, with the distant Kathmandu Valley hills visible from the complex. ## Structures in the Complex ### Darbar Sahib (Main Prayer Hall) prayer_hall The central sanctum of the gurdwara, housing the Guru Granth Sahib under a beautiful canopy (palki). Daily hukamnama and kirtan are conducted here. The hall accommodates the sangat for prayers, and its atmosphere of devotional music and incense creates a deeply spiritual environment. ### Langar Hall langar_hall A spacious community dining hall where free vegetarian meals are prepared and served every Saturday and on special occasions. The langar hall embodies the Sikh principle of equality, with all visitors seated together on the floor and served without distinction of religion, caste, or social status. ### Yatri Niwas (Pilgrim Guest House) prayer_hall A dedicated accommodation facility within the gurdwara compound providing lodging for visiting Sikh pilgrims and devotees, especially those attending Gurpurabs and religious events. It ensures that distance is no barrier to spiritual participation. ### Library and Educational Centre museum A learning space used for teaching Gurmukhi script, Punjabi language, and Sikh history to the younger generation of Nepal's Sikh community. It plays a crucial role in preserving Sikh cultural identity among Sikhs born and raised outside Punjab. ### Nishan Sahib (Flag Mast) tower The tall triangular saffron flag of the Sikhs, bearing the Khanda symbol, flies from the nishan sahib at the gurdwara entrance. It serves as a beacon visible from the surrounding Kupondole neighbourhood, marking the presence of the Sikh institution in Lalitpur. ## Events & Celebrations ### gurpurab #### Guru Nanak Gurpurab The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, is the most important celebration at the gurdwara. Observed in November (on Kartik Pooranmashi), it features non-stop Akhand Path (48-hour reading of the Guru Granth Sahib), prabhat pheris (early morning processions), kirtan, and extended langar open to the entire community. #### Guru Gobind Singh Gurpurab The birth anniversary of the tenth and last human Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, is observed with special kirtan, path, and langar. As the Guru who founded the Khalsa and gave Sikhs their distinct identity, this gurpurab holds particular importance for the Sikh congregation in Nepal. ### festival #### Baisakhi Celebrated in April, Baisakhi marks the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. The gurdwara holds special kirtan, ardas, and langar on this day. It is one of the most joyful celebrations in the Sikh calendar and is observed enthusiastically by the Nepal Sikh community. #### Sankranti Prayers On each Sankranti (the solar transition occurring approximately monthly), special prayers and kirtan are organised at the gurdwara. These observances reflect the Nanakshahi calendar's alignment with solar cycles and are a regular feature of the gurdwara's religious programme. ### weekly #### Weekly Saturday Satsang Every Saturday, the gurdwara holds its main weekly congregation beginning at 11:00 AM. The programme includes an hour of kirtan by the local youth jatha, followed by gurbani kirtan until 12:45 PM and langar served at 1:00 PM. This is the most accessible regular event for visitors. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### visiting The gurdwara is open daily from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Morning prayers (Five Banis and Sukhmani Sahib) begin at 7:00 AM. The main weekly congregation is held every Saturday starting at 11:00 AM with kirtan, followed by langar (free community meal) at approximately 1:00 PM. Yes, absolutely. The gurdwara welcomes visitors of all faiths, nationalities, and backgrounds. Tourists, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and people of any religion are warmly received. The only requirements are to cover your head, remove your shoes, and maintain respectful behaviour inside the premises. Yes. Free vegetarian langar is served every Saturday at around 1:00 PM after the weekly kirtan service. Langar is also served during major Gurpurabs and festivals. All visitors, regardless of religion or background, are welcome to partake in the meal. Saturday mornings are ideal for experiencing the weekly congregation and langar. For festival celebrations, Guru Nanak Gurpurab (usually in November) is the most significant occasion. The October–March period offers the most pleasant weather in Kathmandu Valley for tourism. Yes. The gurdwara has a Yatri Niwas (pilgrim guest house) that provides accommodation for visiting Sikh devotees and pilgrims, particularly during Gurpurabs and religious tours. It is advisable to contact the gurdwara in advance during major festivals. ### history The gurdwara was formally established in 1976 at Kupondole, Lalitpur, under the patronage of Sardar Pritam Singh Ji. Its roots go back to 1957, when a small worship space was set up in a rented room on New Road, Kathmandu. In 1965 it shifted to Akhara near the Bagmati River, and after fundraising, the current seven-ropani plot at Kupondole was purchased and the permanent gurdwara was built. ### transport The gurdwara is located in Kupondole, Lalitpur, approximately 5 km from central Kathmandu. From Tribhuvan International Airport, take a taxi (20–35 minutes, ~8–10 km). Sajha Yatayat buses and local microbuses from Ratna Park Bus Terminal also serve Kupondole. Local taxis and tempos are readily available within Lalitpur. 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