# Gurdwara Guru Nanak Trust Sri Lanka | Batticaloa > Visit Gurdwara Guru Nanak Trust in Kurukkalmadam, Batticaloa — built at the historic site of Guru Nanak's 1511 visit to Sri Lanka. # Gurdwara Guru Nanak Trust Sri Lanka Get Directions Share: Entry: Dress Code: Gurdwara Guru Nanak Trust Sri Lanka, located in the village of Kurukkalmadam in the Batticaloa district of Eastern Sri Lanka, stands as one of the most historically significant Sikh sacred sites outside of the Indian subcontinent. Established by the Guru Nanak Sewa Trust Sri Lanka, this gurdwara is built upon the site believed to have been visited by Guru Nanak Dev Ji — the founder of Sikhism — during his extensive travels, known as the Udaasian, around 1511–12 CE. Situated approximately 25 kilometres southeast of Batticaloa city, at coordinates 7.589812°N, 81.779938°E, the gurdwara serves as both a place of active Sikh worship and a pilgrimage destination drawing devotees and scholars from across the world. The village of Kurukkalmadam itself carries deep historical resonance. Its earlier name, Guruandhar — believed to derive from the Punjabi term Gurudhanagar, meaning 'city of the Guru' — is widely regarded as a testament to Guru Nanak's prolonged stay in the region. Oral traditions preserved by local villagers recount that a revered Siddha Baba from northern India visited the area approximately five centuries ago, remaining for over three months, bathing in nearby waters, and delivering daily spiritual discourses attended by large gatherings of local people from diverse communities. Among the most remarkable features of the site are five sacred trees believed to date from the period of Guru Nanak's visit: two Banyan trees, one Peepal, one Neem, and one Reetha (soapnut). These trees are venerated by Sikh pilgrims and local communities alike as living witnesses to the Guru's presence. The site also preserves the memory of 28 stone inscription fragments recovered from the area by Punjabi historian Ashok Kumar Kainth, inscribed in Sanskrit, Tamil, and an early Gurmukhi script — a mixture of Sharda and Takri scripts — which are believed to document a dialogue between Guru Nanak and King Bikram Bahu VI of Lanka in 1511. The gurdwara complex functions as a centre of Sikh religious life in the Batticaloa region, offering daily prayers, Gurbani kirtan, and langar (community kitchen) services to all visitors regardless of background. The Guru Nanak Sewa Trust Sri Lanka has worked to develop the site into a major interfaith heritage destination, recognising its significance not only for the Sikh community but also for the broader Sri Lankan cultural and religious landscape. The gurdwara welcomes Sikh pilgrims from India, the global Punjabi diaspora, and curious visitors seeking to explore the remarkable reach of Guru Nanak's spiritual journeys across South and Southeast Asia. ## Significance Gurdwara Guru Nanak Trust Sri Lanka holds exceptional spiritual and cultural significance as one of the very few Sikh sacred sites in South Asia associated with the personal travels of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. For Sikhs worldwide, any location sanctified by the physical presence of the Gurus — known as a Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi (Gurdwara of the First Guru) — is considered deeply sacred, and the Kurukkalmadam site is believed to be among the most eastern and southernmost such sites documented in historical and epigraphic sources. The site's significance extends beyond the Sikh community. The village name Kurukkalmadam — meaning 'abode of a Guru' in Tamil — and its earlier designation as Guruandhar speak to a shared cultural memory that transcends religious boundaries, reflecting centuries of reverence maintained by both Tamil and Sikh communities. The five ancient trees preserved at the site are regarded as living relics of Guru Nanak's stay and are treated with profound respect by visitors of all faiths. The gurdwara also serves as an important symbol of Sikhism's universal outreach. Guru Nanak's travels across the known world — from Arabia and Persia to Tibet and Ceylon — embodied his message that the divine light is accessible to all humanity. The Sri Lanka gurdwara thus stands as testimony to this inclusive spiritual vision, drawing pilgrims from India, the global Punjabi diaspora, and interfaith researchers. It represents a rare and precious thread connecting the Sikh faith to the island's ancient history and continues to foster dialogue between South Asian religious and cultural traditions. ## Nearby Gurdwaras ### Place in Gurukulmadam Visited by Guru Nanak in Early 16th Century During Sri Lanka Visit India 749 m away Open daily from early morning (approxima... The Gurdwara at Gurukulmadam (also known as Kurukkalmadam) is a revered Sikh sacred site located near Batticaloa in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, believed to mark the very spot visited by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, during his legendary journey to Lanka in the early sixteenth century, approximately around 1511 CE. This gurdwara stands as a testament to the far-reaching travels of Guru Nanak, who is said to have journeyed across the Indian subcontinent and beyond to spread the message of universal brotherhood, devotion to the One God, and the equality of all human beings regardless of caste, creed, or religion. The village of Kurukkalmadam, whose earlier name is believed to have been Guruandhar — a word thought to be derived from 'Gurudhanagar', meaning 'city of the Guru' in Punjabi — holds deep spiritual significance for the Sikh community worldwide. The site preserves several ancient trees, including Banyan, Peepal, Neem, and Reetha varieties, that are traditionally believed to have been growing during Guru Nanak's visit and to have provided shade and shelter to the revered Guru and his companions during their stay in this region. A stone carving excavated at the site, believed to contain the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, has been cited by researchers as physical evidence of the First Sikh Guru's presence in the Batticaloa region. The discovery by researcher Ashok Kumar Kainth added scholarly weight to the oral traditions and community memory that had long preserved the story of Guru Nanak's visit. The gurdwara serves as a place of pilgrimage for Sikhs not only from Sri Lanka but also from India, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and other parts of the Sikh diaspora. The site functions as a community gurdwara providing regular worship services, including the recitation of Gurbani (sacred hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib Ji), Ardas (communal prayer), and the distribution of langar (community kitchen meals) to all visitors regardless of faith. It serves as a spiritual anchor for the small but devout Sikh community residing in and around Batticaloa, as well as a cultural heritage site that connects the broader Sikh world to the extraordinary missionary journeys of Guru Nanak. Community ## Detailed History The history of Gurdwara Guru Nanak Trust Sri Lanka is rooted in the legendary travels of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who is believed to have visited the island of Lanka — then known as Singhla Deep — around 1511–12 CE, during the period of one of his four major journeys, the Chaar Udaasian. According to historical accounts and oral traditions, Guru Nanak, accompanied by his devoted companion Bhai Mardana, arrived in Sri Lanka by ship and is believed to have spent time in several locations across the island, including Batticaloa, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Kandy, Jaffna, and Adam's Peak. The Batticaloa region, particularly the area now known as Kurukkalmadam, is believed to have been one of Guru Nanak's most significant resting places on the island. Historical accounts suggest that he stayed at this location for more than three months, during which he engaged in spiritual discourses with local rulers and ordinary people alike. South Indian historian Dr. V. Raghavan identified epigraphic evidence supporting this visit, including a Sanskrit inscription at the Archaeological Museum in Anuradhapura referencing 'Jnanakacharya' — interpreted by scholars as 'Nanakacharya' — dated to the fifteenth year of King Parakramabhu IX's reign. In more recent times, Punjabi historian Ashok Kumar Kainth, working as part of a 22-member international research team, reported the excavation of 28 inscription fragments near the Batticaloa district. These inscriptions, rendered in Sanskrit, Tamil, and early Gurmukhi script, are believed to record discussions between Guru Nanak and King Bikram Bahu VI of Lanka in 1511. A stone carving bearing the name of Guru Nanak was also recovered from the site. The findings prompted the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to indicate it would send a delegation to examine the inscription and excavation site. The Guru Nanak Sewa Trust Sri Lanka was subsequently formed to preserve and develop this sacred site, purchasing land at Kurukkalmadam with the intention of constructing a gurdwara befitting the site's immense historical importance. Construction plans envisioned a grand structure comparable in spirit to other major Sikh shrines. The gurdwara at Kurukkalmadam stands today as a monument to this extraordinary chapter of Sikh history and continues to attract pilgrims and researchers investigating Guru Nanak's remarkable 16th-century journey. ## Structures in the Complex ### Darbar Sahib (Prayer Hall) Religious The central prayer hall of the gurdwara where the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is installed and daily prayers (Nitnem), kirtan, and Ardas are performed. Devotees gather here for congregational worship. ### Five Sacred Trees Natural Heritage Two Banyan, one Peepal, one Neem, and one Reetha (soapnut) tree believed to date from the period of Guru Nanak's visit circa 1511–12 CE. These living landmarks are among the most venerated features of the site. ### Nishan Sahib Religious Marker The tall triangular Sikh flag (Nishan Sahib) bearing the Khanda insignia, traditionally erected at all gurdwaras to mark the site as a place of Sikh worship and welcome. ### Langar Hall Community The community kitchen and dining area where free meals are served to all visitors regardless of faith or background, embodying the Sikh principle of seva (selfless service) and equality. ### Inscription Memorial Archaeological/Heritage An area commemorating the discovery of 28 stone inscription fragments believed to reference Guru Nanak's 1511 visit, inscribed in Sanskrit, Tamil, and early Gurmukhi script. ## Visitor Information ### Dress Code Modest, full-length clothing required; head must be covered (scarves or head coverings available at the entrance); shoes must be removed before entering the darbar sahib ### Photography Permitted in outer areas; respectful photography is generally allowed; avoid photographing during active prayers without permission ### Etiquette Cover your head before entering; remove footwear at the entrance; avoid alcohol and tobacco on premises; maintain silence and reverence inside the prayer hall; visitors of all faiths are welcome ## Climate & Best Time to Visit ## Langar (Free Community Kitchen) Modest capacity befitting a rural gurdwara; larger arrangements made during Gurpurabs and special occasions Seating Capacity ## Architecture The Gurdwara Guru Nanak Trust Sri Lanka at Kurukkalmadam is believed to have been designed in a style befitting the sacred character of the site, drawing on traditional Sikh architectural principles while adapting to the tropical environment of Eastern Sri Lanka. The Guru Nanak Sewa Trust expressed aspirations to build a structure of grandeur comparable in spirit to great Sikh shrines, and the complex is believed to incorporate a central prayer hall (darbar sahib), the sacred nishan sahib flagpole, and facilities for langar. The site's most distinctive natural architectural elements are the five ancient sacred trees — two Banyan, one Peepal, one Neem, and one Reetha — which form a living canopy over the grounds and are considered an inseparable part of the sacred landscape. These trees, believed to date to Guru Nanak's time in the early 16th century, lend the gurdwara complex a unique character among Sikh pilgrimage sites. The surrounding rural landscape of Batticaloa's eastern coastal plains, with its paddy fields and lagoons, forms a serene natural setting for this historically resonant place of worship. ## Structures in the Complex ### Darbar Sahib (Prayer Hall) Religious The central prayer hall of the gurdwara where the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is installed and daily prayers (Nitnem), kirtan, and Ardas are performed. Devotees gather here for congregational worship. ### Five Sacred Trees Natural Heritage Two Banyan, one Peepal, one Neem, and one Reetha (soapnut) tree believed to date from the period of Guru Nanak's visit circa 1511–12 CE. These living landmarks are among the most venerated features of the site. ### Nishan Sahib Religious Marker The tall triangular Sikh flag (Nishan Sahib) bearing the Khanda insignia, traditionally erected at all gurdwaras to mark the site as a place of Sikh worship and welcome. ### Langar Hall Community The community kitchen and dining area where free meals are served to all visitors regardless of faith or background, embodying the Sikh principle of seva (selfless service) and equality. ### Inscription Memorial Archaeological/Heritage An area commemorating the discovery of 28 stone inscription fragments believed to reference Guru Nanak's 1511 visit, inscribed in Sanskrit, Tamil, and early Gurmukhi script. ## Events & Celebrations ### Religious Festival #### Guru Nanak Jayanti (Gurpurab) The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is the most significant annual celebration at this gurdwara. Special akhand path (continuous scripture reading), kirtan programmes, nagar kirtan (procession), and expanded langar are held. Pilgrims travel from India and across the world to participate. #### Baisakhi Baisakhi, marking the Sikh New Year and the founding of the Khalsa in 1699, is celebrated with special prayers, kirtan, and community gatherings at the gurdwara. #### Hola Mohalla The Sikh festival of Hola Mohalla, held the day after Holi, is observed with prayers, kirtan, and community langar at the gurdwara. ### Pilgrimage #### Pilgrimage Visits from India Organised Sikh pilgrimage groups from Punjab, India, and from the global diaspora regularly visit the gurdwara to pay obeisance at the site believed to be sanctified by Guru Nanak's presence in 1511–12. ### Cultural/Academic #### Heritage and Research Gatherings Scholars, historians, and interfaith groups periodically visit the site to study the inscriptions, sacred trees, and archaeological evidence related to Guru Nanak's journey to Sri Lanka. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### History The gurdwara is built at the site in Kurukkalmadam village, Batticaloa, believed to have been visited by Guru Nanak Dev Ji — the founder of Sikhism — around 1511–12 CE during his Udaasi (spiritual journey). Epigraphic evidence and oral traditions support his stay of over three months at this location. Several forms of evidence have been cited: 28 inscription fragments in Sanskrit, Tamil, and early Gurmukhi script recovered near Batticaloa; a stone carving bearing Guru Nanak's name; a Sanskrit inscription at the Anuradhapura Archaeological Museum referencing 'Jnanakacharya'; and five ancient trees (Banyan, Peepal, Neem, Reetha) believed to date from Guru Nanak's time still standing at the site. ### Administration The gurdwara is managed by the Guru Nanak Sewa Trust Sri Lanka, a trust established to preserve the historic site and develop it as a place of Sikh worship and pilgrimage. ### Visitor Information Yes, Gurdwara Guru Nanak Trust Sri Lanka welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. Visitors should cover their heads, remove footwear, and maintain respectful behaviour inside the premises. The best time to visit is between October and April, during the dry season in Eastern Sri Lanka. The most spiritually significant time is during Guru Nanak Jayanti (October/November), when the gurdwara hosts special prayers and community celebrations. ### Transport Kurukkalmadam is approximately 25 km southeast of Batticaloa town. You can reach it by local bus towards Kalmunai/Ampara, or by hiring a three-wheeler or taxi from Batticaloa. The nearest railway station is Batticaloa. ### Spiritual Significance Five ancient trees — two Banyan, one Peepal, one Neem, and one Reetha (soapnut) — at the site are believed to date from Guru Nanak's visit in 1511–12 CE. They are revered as living witnesses to the Guru's presence and are considered sacred by pilgrims. Suggest an Edit Upload Photos ![Marker](https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/images/marker-icon.png) Gurdwara Guru Nanak Trust Sri Lanka Leaflet Get Directions → ### Contribute Help improve this page. Suggest edits, add photos, or share information about this Gurdwara. Suggest an Edit