# Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Aurangabad - History, Timings & Visitor Guide | GurdwaraSahib.in > Visit Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Aurangabad, a historic Sikh community centre in Maharashtra. Free entry, daily langar & open to all. Get timings & travel guide. # Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Aurangabad Get Directions Share: Entry: Dress Code: 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. ## Significance Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Aurangabad carries layered religious and cultural significance for the Sikh diaspora of Maharashtra. As a Singh Sabha institution, it embodies the ideals of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji — equality, selfless service (seva), and devotion — and represents a living continuation of the reformist vision that sought to make gurdwaras accessible, transparent, and community-centred. The gurdwara's location in Aurangabad connects it to one of the most storied chapters of Sikh history: the delivery of the Zafarnama, Guru Gobind Singh's moral indictment of Emperor Aurangzeb's treachery, carried by Bhai Daya Singh through this very city. For Sikh devotees, Aurangabad thus carries the spiritual weight of a place touched by the Guru's mission. For Sikh pilgrims travelling through Maharashtra, the gurdwara serves as an important stop on the route to Hazur Sahib Nanded, the Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib — one of the holiest shrines in Sikhism, where Guru Gobind Singh Ji spent his final years. This pilgrimage circuit reinforces the gurdwara's role as more than a local institution; it is a node in a broader network of Sikh sacred geography in the Deccan. The institution also plays a vital cultural role in preserving Punjabi language, Sikh music (kirtan), and traditions among second and third-generation Sikhs living far from Punjab, making it a cornerstone of Sikh identity in the Marathwada region. ## Nearby Gurdwaras ### Gurdwara Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Langar Sahib Ji Aurangabad India 1.7 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 Bhai Daya Singh Bhai Dharam Singh Ji Aurangabad India 2.3 km away Approximately 4:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily (... 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. Historical ### Station Gurdwara Aurangabad India 3.5 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 Sikh presence in Aurangabad dates back to the early eighteenth century, making it one of the oldest Sikh-connected cities in the Deccan. In 1705 CE, Guru Gobind Singh Ji — the tenth and final human Sikh Guru — composed the Zafarnama, a Persian-language letter addressed to Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Bhai Daya Singh and Bhai Dharam Singh, two of the Panj Pyare, were entrusted with delivering this historic epistle. Upon arriving in Aurangabad, they discovered the emperor had relocated to Ahmadnagar. While Bhai Dharam Singh returned to Punjab to update the Guru, Bhai Daya Singh remained in Aurangabad, staying with a local Sikh family. During this period, he established contacts with influential Mughal court officials who helped him ultimately deliver the Zafarnama to Aurangzeb. The house in which Bhai Daya Singh resided in Dhami Mohall became a meeting place for the local Sikh sangat, eventually developing into a gurdwara — Gurdwara Bhai Daya Singh — which still stands today. The broader Sikh community presence in Aurangabad continued to grow over subsequent centuries, particularly as Sikh soldiers, traders, and migrants settled in the region. The late nineteenth century saw a transformative moment for Sikh institutions across India with the rise of the Singh Sabha Movement, founded in Amritsar in 1873. This reform movement sought to reinstate authentic Sikh practices, establish educational institutions, and create organised sangats in every city and town. It led to the founding of Singh Sabha gurdwaras across British India and beyond, with over a hundred such congregations established by the close of the 19th century. Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Aurangabad is believed to have been established under this Singh Sabha tradition, serving the Sikh community of the Marathwada region. The present structure and institutional form of the gurdwara were consolidated by the local sangat over the twentieth century, with the community contributing to renovations and expansions to meet the needs of a growing congregation. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), formed in 1920, and its affiliated institutions have historically provided religious guidance and support to community gurdwaras like this one across India. ## Structures in the Complex ### Main Darbar Sahib prayer_hall The central prayer hall where the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is installed on an ornate takht (throne) under a ceremonial canopy. The hall features a carpeted floor for congregational seating, with the Granthi (scripture reader) performing continuous kirtan and path throughout the day. ### Langar Hall langar_hall A large community dining and kitchen facility where free vegetarian meals are prepared and served to all visitors daily. The langar hall embodies the Sikh principle of equality — all people sit and eat together on the floor regardless of social status. ### Main Entrance Gateway entrance The main gateway (darwaza) of the gurdwara complex, typically marked by the triangular Nishan Sahib (saffron flag bearing the Khanda symbol) flying high on a flagpole, which serves as a visible marker of the gurdwara's presence to the surrounding community. ### Courtyard (Parikrama) prayer_hall The open courtyard surrounding the main building where devotees gather, circumambulate, and participate in outdoor programmes during festivals. The parikrama is an important communal space for sangat and nagar kirtan departures. ### Pilgrim Rest House (Sarai) museum Accommodation facilities for visiting pilgrims and devotees travelling through Aurangabad, particularly those on their way to or from Hazur Sahib Nanded. Basic lodging and meals are traditionally provided free of charge as part of the gurdwara's seva. ## Visitor Information ### Dress Code Head covering (dupatta/handkerchief/turban) is mandatory; remove shoes before entering; modest clothing required; avoid shorts or sleeveless attire ### Photography Permitted in outer areas; respectful photography inside the Darbar Sahib may be allowed but always seek permission from gurdwara management first ### Etiquette Bow before the Guru Granth Sahib Ji on entry; sit cross-legged on the floor; refrain from bringing tobacco, alcohol, or non-vegetarian food; mobile phones should be kept on silent; speak in a low, respectful tone inside the Darbar Sahib ## Climate & Best Time to Visit ## Langar (Free Community Kitchen) The langar hall can accommodate approximately 100–200 devotees at a time; expanded service during festivals Seating Capacity ## Architecture Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Aurangabad follows the characteristic architectural vocabulary of north Indian and Deccan-influenced Sikh gurdwara design. The main building is typically crowned with a distinctive white dome and gilded finials (kalash), visible from a distance and symbolising spiritual elevation. The entrance features a prominent gateway (darwaza) leading into an open courtyard (parikrama), which is the traditional gathering space for devotees. The central prayer hall (Darbar Sahib) houses the Guru Granth Sahib Ji on a raised throne (takht) beneath an ornate canopy (palki), with the hall designed for congregational seating on the carpeted floor. Decorative elements include floral motifs, marble inlay work, and stained glass panels that are characteristic of contemporary gurdwara design in Maharashtra. The langar hall is a substantial structure capable of accommodating large numbers of devotees simultaneously, equipped with modern kitchen facilities. Additional spaces include a sarovar (sacred pool) for ritual cleansing if present, accommodation facilities for visiting pilgrims, and an administrative block. The complex is believed to be constructed primarily in white marble and stone, consistent with Singh Sabha aesthetic norms. ## Structures in the Complex ### Main Darbar Sahib prayer_hall The central prayer hall where the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is installed on an ornate takht (throne) under a ceremonial canopy. The hall features a carpeted floor for congregational seating, with the Granthi (scripture reader) performing continuous kirtan and path throughout the day. ### Langar Hall langar_hall A large community dining and kitchen facility where free vegetarian meals are prepared and served to all visitors daily. The langar hall embodies the Sikh principle of equality — all people sit and eat together on the floor regardless of social status. ### Main Entrance Gateway entrance The main gateway (darwaza) of the gurdwara complex, typically marked by the triangular Nishan Sahib (saffron flag bearing the Khanda symbol) flying high on a flagpole, which serves as a visible marker of the gurdwara's presence to the surrounding community. ### Courtyard (Parikrama) prayer_hall The open courtyard surrounding the main building where devotees gather, circumambulate, and participate in outdoor programmes during festivals. The parikrama is an important communal space for sangat and nagar kirtan departures. ### Pilgrim Rest House (Sarai) museum Accommodation facilities for visiting pilgrims and devotees travelling through Aurangabad, particularly those on their way to or from Hazur Sahib Nanded. Basic lodging and meals are traditionally provided free of charge as part of the gurdwara's seva. ## Events & Celebrations ### gurpurab #### Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurab The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, is celebrated with great devotion. A three-day Akhand Path (unbroken recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji) precedes the main day, followed by morning kirtan, nagar kirtan (procession through the city), and extended langar. #### Guru Gobind Singh Ji Gurpurab The birth anniversary of the Tenth Sikh Guru, who composed the Zafarnama and whose emissaries visited Aurangabad, is marked with special significance. Akhand Path, kirtan darbar, and distribution of karah prasad are central observances. ### festival #### Baisakhi Celebrated on April 13/14 each year, Baisakhi marks the founding of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. The gurdwara organises special prayers, kirtan programmes, and a community langar. Amrit Sanchar (Khalsa initiation) ceremonies may also be held. #### Hola Mohalla Held on the day after Holi, Hola Mohalla is a Sikh martial and spiritual festival initiated by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The gurdwara organises gatka (Sikh martial arts) demonstrations, kirtan, and community langar. ### weekly #### Weekly Samagam (Sunday Diwan) Every Sunday, the gurdwara holds an extended morning diwan with kirtan by local and visiting ragis (classical musicians), katha (spiritual discourses), and langar. This is the best time for visitors to experience the full atmosphere of a Sikh congregational gathering. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### visiting The gurdwara is generally open from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily. Morning prayers (Nitnem and Asa Di Var) begin around 4:00–5:00 AM, with Rehras Sahib in the evening and Kirtan Sohila at night. During major festivals such as Guru Nanak Gurpurab and Baisakhi, the gurdwara may remain open through the night for Akhand Path and special programmes. Yes, langar is served daily at Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Aurangabad, typically from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM and again from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The langar is free for all visitors regardless of religion, caste, or background. During festivals, langar may be served continuously throughout the day and night. No. Entry to all gurdwaras, including Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Aurangabad, is completely free of charge and open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. This tradition of open doors (langar and darshan) is a core principle of Sikhism. Visitors must cover their head before entering — a scarf, dupatta, or handkerchief is acceptable; head coverings are often provided at the entrance. Shoes must be removed and stored in the designated area. Modest clothing is required; avoid shorts, sleeveless tops, or revealing attire. Tobacco, alcohol, and non-vegetarian food must not be brought onto the premises. ### history The gurdwara is established under the Singh Sabha tradition, a reform movement founded in Amritsar in 1873 that created Sikh congregational institutions across India. Aurangabad itself has a deep Sikh connection dating to 1705 CE, when Bhai Daya Singh — one of the Panj Pyare — stayed in the city while on a mission to deliver Guru Gobind Singh Ji's Zafarnama to Emperor Aurangzeb. The local sangat that formed around this visit eventually gave rise to organised Sikh worship in the city. The most significant Sikh pilgrimage site in the region is Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib (Hazur Sahib) in Nanded, approximately 270 km from Aurangabad. This is one of the five Takhts of Sikhism and the site where Guru Gobind Singh Ji spent his final years. Gurdwara Bhai Daya Singh in Dhami Mohall, Aurangabad — connected to the historic Zafarnama mission — is also located within the city. ### transport By air: Aurangabad Airport (IXU) is approximately 10 km away with flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Pune. By rail: Aurangabad Railway Station (AWB) is connected to major cities including Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Nanded. By road: Aurangabad is approximately 235 km from Pune and 370 km from Mumbai via national highways. Within the city, auto-rickshaws, taxis, and app-based cabs (Ola/Uber) are readily available. Suggest an Edit Upload Photos ![Marker](https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/images/marker-icon.png) Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Aurangabad Leaflet Get Directions → ### Contribute Help improve this page. Suggest edits, add photos, or share information about this Gurdwara. Suggest an Edit