# Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib Kashipur - History, Timings & Visitor Guide | GurdwaraSahib.in > Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib Kashipur, Uttarakhand — sacred Sikh shrine marking Guru Nanak's visit & the Dhela River miracle. Timings, transport & visitor guide. # Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib Kashipur Get Directions Share: Entry: Dress Code: Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib, situated in the Mohalla Pakka Kot locality of Kashipur in Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand, is one of the most revered Sikh shrines in the Kumaon foothills of northern India. Dedicated to the memory of Guru Nanak Dev Ji — the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus — the gurdwara stands as a living testament to the Guru's extensive spiritual journeys across the Indian subcontinent. The shrine commemorates Guru Nanak's documented visit to Kashipur during what scholars identify as his third major Udasi (spiritual journey), undertaken between approximately 1514 and 1517 CE. According to deeply cherished local tradition, it was here beside the Dhela River that Guru Nanak performed a miraculous act of divine intercession, persuading the flood-prone river to recede and spare the townspeople their annual suffering — a legend that has bonded this sacred site to the civic identity of Kashipur for over five centuries. The gurdwara is located near the Gange Baba Road and is easily accessible from Kashipur Junction Railway Station, which lies barely two kilometres away. The complex welcomes Sikh pilgrims, devotees, and curious visitors from across India and the broader diaspora. It is one of a cluster of historically significant Sikh sites in Uttarakhand — including Gurdwara Sri Nanakmatta Sahib, approximately 55 kilometres away — that together trace the route of Guru Nanak's footsteps through this region. The gurdwara operates with round-the-clock langar (free communal kitchen), an accommodation facility called Bebe Nanki Niwas Sarai that offers approximately 30 rooms for pilgrims, and continuous Gurbani Kirtan (devotional scripture singing) from the early hours of the morning until late evening. The atmosphere is one of calm devotion, underscored by the recitation of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal living Guru of the Sikhs. Four major Sikh festivals — Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurab, Guru Gobind Singh Ji Gurpurab, Guru Arjun Dev Ji Shaheedi Diwas, and Baisakhi — are celebrated with particular grandeur, drawing thousands of devotees who participate in special prayers, processions, kirtan programmes, and extended langar services. The gurdwara serves not only as a place of religious worship but as a community anchor for the Sikh community of the Terai-Kumaon belt of Uttarakhand, providing spiritual guidance, social service, and cultural continuity in a region with a rich Sikh heritage. ## Significance Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib Kashipur occupies a place of profound religious and cultural significance within the Sikh faith and the broader Uttarakhand community. As a site directly associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji — the spiritual progenitor of Sikhism — it carries an authority and sanctity that transcends regional boundaries and draws Sikh pilgrims from across India and from the global diaspora. The gurdwara is part of a sacred corridor in Uttarakhand that includes Gurdwara Sri Nanakmatta Sahib and Nanakpuri Tanda, together forming a pilgrimage trail that retraces Guru Nanak's third Udasi route. For devout Sikhs, visiting sites associated with the Gurus' physical presence carries immense spiritual merit, as these places are believed to be infused with the divine energy of the Guru's teachings and prayers. The legend of the Dhela River miracle gives the gurdwara a unique character among Sikh shrines — it is venerated not only as a seat of prayer but as a site of divine protection and intercession. For the local Hindu and Sikh communities of Kashipur and the Udham Singh Nagar district, the gurdwara embodies the inclusive, humanitarian spirit of Guru Nanak's mission: his message of unity across caste, creed, and religion continues to resonate in a town where devotees of multiple faiths acknowledge the Guru's benevolent presence. The gurdwara also serves an important social function through its 24-hour langar service, which offers free meals to all visitors regardless of religion or background — a cornerstone practice of Sikh community life that embodies the principles of seva (selfless service) and equality enshrined by the Gurus. ## Nearby Gurdwaras ### Gurudwara Sahib Bajpur, India 20 km away gurudwara sahib 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 sahib 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 ### Gurdwara Sahib Dineshpur, India 41 km away Gurdwara Sahib 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, Gurdwara Sahib 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 ### Gurudwara Sahib, Ratanpura Bilaspur, India 43 km away Open daily, 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Morning... Gurudwara Sahib, Ratanpura is a community Sikh place of worship situated in the Ratanpura locality of Bilaspur, Uttar Pradesh, India. As a focal point of Sikh spiritual and communal life in the region, the gurdwara serves the local sangat (congregation) by providing a sacred space for daily prayers, religious ceremonies, and the study of the Guru Granth Sahib — the eternal living Guru of the Sikhs. The gurdwara upholds all five cardinal principles of a Sikh place of worship: the Darbar Sahib (main prayer hall), the Langar (community kitchen), the Sarovar or sacred water body where present, the residence for pilgrims, and the library or educational facilities for propagating Gurbani. Located in the Indo-Gangetic plains of northern India, Bilaspur sits within a region with a long and enduring Sikh presence, historically connected to the travels and teachings of the Sikh Gurus. The gurdwara at Ratanpura is believed to have grown organically from a small place of worship established by Sikh settlers and traders who made this part of Uttar Pradesh their home over successive generations. Today it stands as a fully functioning gurdwara that welcomes all people, regardless of caste, creed, religion, or gender — embodying the Sikh principle of sarbat da bhala, meaning well-being for all. The institution organises key Sikh observances throughout the year, including the celebration of Gurpurabs (anniversaries commemorating the birth or martyrdom of the Sikh Gurus), Baisakhi, the Sikh New Year, and Diwali, which Sikhs observe as Bandi Chhor Divas. The gurdwara's Langar, or free community kitchen, operates daily and provides nourishing meals to all visitors without distinction — one of the most visible expressions of the Sikh tenet of seva (selfless service). The local sangat actively participates in the management and upkeep of the gurdwara, reinforcing the democratic and egalitarian character of Sikh religious institutions. Gurudwara Sahib, Ratanpura also plays an important social role in the surrounding community by supporting charitable activities, providing relief during times of local hardship, and offering educational guidance rooted in Sikh values. The gurdwara represents not only a place of worship but a living institution that sustains the cultural and spiritual identity of the Sikh community in Bilaspur. Community ### Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Dhampur India 45 km away Open daily, typically from early morning... Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Dhampur is a prominent Sikh house of worship located in Dhampur, a town in the Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh, India, situated at coordinates 29.309562°N, 78.507312°E. The gurdwara serves as the spiritual and social nucleus of the Sikh community in and around Dhampur, providing a sacred space for daily prayer, religious instruction, and community congregation. Its name pays homage to the Singh Sabha movement, a landmark Sikh reform initiative that originated in the late nineteenth century with the mission of reviving and purifying Sikh religious practice, strengthening Sikh identity, and establishing the faith as a distinct tradition separate from other religions. As a community gurdwara, Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Dhampur upholds the foundational Sikh principles of Seva (selfless service), Simran (meditation and devotion), and Sangat (holy congregation). The institution plays an indispensable role in the daily religious life of local Sikhs, hosting regular Nitnem prayers, Akhand Path recitations of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, and Gurbani Kirtan programmes throughout the week. The gurdwara also serves as a community hall during festivals and special occasions, welcoming people of all faiths, backgrounds, and social standings in the spirit of universal brotherhood that lies at the heart of Sikhism. The Langar (community kitchen) operated by the gurdwara is among its most celebrated institutions, providing free meals to all visitors without distinction of religion, caste, or socioeconomic status. This practice of communal dining embodies the Sikh value of equality and has been a source of social cohesion for the broader Dhampur community, including non-Sikh residents who have long benefited from the gurdwara's charitable outreach. Beyond religious services, the gurdwara is believed to have historically supported educational initiatives and social welfare programs in the region, reflecting the broader legacy of the Singh Sabha movement from which it draws its name. The institution is managed by a committee of dedicated volunteers and community leaders who ensure the smooth operation of daily religious programmes, maintenance of the premises, and continuation of charitable activities. Dhampur itself, situated in the fertile Ganga-Yamuna Doab region of western Uttar Pradesh, has a modest but historically rooted Sikh population whose presence in the area is closely linked to the migrations and settlements that followed various periods of Indian history, including the partition of 1947. Historical ## Detailed History The historical origins of Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib Kashipur are rooted in the travels of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469–1539), the founder of Sikhism, who undertook four major Udasis — extensive missionary journeys — across South Asia and beyond to spread his message of one God, equality, and universal brotherhood. It is during his third Udasi, traditionally dated to around 1514–1517 CE, that Guru Nanak is believed to have visited the Kumaon and Terai regions of what is today Uttarakhand. According to oral tradition and Sikh historical accounts, Guru Nanak's journey through this region began at Sri Nanakmatta — a site near the banks of the Sharda River where he performed a celebrated miracle involving a giant peepal tree — and continued through Nanakpuri Tanda before reaching Kashipur. At Kashipur, Guru Nanak was accompanied by followers including Nagnath, a devotee of the Nath tradition of Gorakhnath, who had become a disciple of the Guru. The most defining event associated with Guru Nanak's stay in Kashipur is the legend of the Dhela River. The town suffered recurring and devastating floods caused by the river each monsoon season, and by the time Guru Nanak arrived, the residents were reportedly contemplating abandoning Kashipur altogether. According to tradition, the Guru consoled them, performed ardas (a Sikh prayer of supplication), and through divine grace caused the river to recede permanently from the town. It is said that after touching the Guru's feet, the Dhela River altered its course and has not flooded the city since. Some accounts also refer to the river by an earlier name, the Swaran River, before its course change. In memory of this miraculous intervention and Guru Nanak's broader spiritual teachings imparted here, a shrine was established at this location. Over successive generations, the modest memorial grew into a fully developed gurdwara. The name Nankana Sahib — meaning 'the abode of Nanak' — was given in reverence to the Guru, mirroring the naming convention of several other gurdwaras across northern India established in his honour. The exact date of the gurdwara's formal establishment is not precisely recorded in available historical documents, though the site has been a place of active Sikh worship for several centuries. The current structure and facilities, including the Bebe Nanki Niwas Sarai accommodation, represent more recent developments as the managing congregation has expanded the complex to serve the growing number of pilgrims visiting this sacred site. ## Structures in the Complex ### Darbar Sahib (Main Prayer Hall) prayer_hall The central sanctum of the gurdwara where the Guru Granth Sahib — the eternal living scripture and Guru of the Sikhs — is installed on a raised palki (throne). Continuous Gurbani Kirtan is performed here from 3:45 AM to 8:00 PM daily. Devotees sit on the carpeted floor in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib for prayers and reflection. ### Langar Hall langar_hall The community kitchen and dining hall where free meals are served 24 hours a day to all visitors without distinction of religion, caste, or status. The langar operates year-round and is significantly expanded during major Gurpurab celebrations when thousands of devotees are served. The hall embodies the Sikh principle of seva and equality. ### Bebe Nanki Niwas Sarai museum The pilgrim accommodation facility within the gurdwara complex, named after Bebe Nanki, Guru Nanak Dev Ji's elder sister who was among the first to recognise his divine nature. The sarai offers approximately 30 rooms for visiting pilgrims and devotees. Named in honour of the beloved sister of Guru Nanak, the facility reflects the gurdwara's commitment to hospitality. ### Nishan Sahib tower The tall flagpole bearing the triangular saffron Sikh flag (Nishan Sahib) with the Khanda symbol, which marks the gurdwara's presence in the Kashipur urban landscape. The Nishan Sahib is a universal marker of all Sikh gurdwaras and serves as a beacon for devotees approaching the complex from any direction. ### Entrance Gateway (Darwaza) entrance The main entrance gate to the gurdwara complex, where visitors wash their feet, cover their heads, and remove their footwear before entering. The gate area includes facilities for shoe storage and head-covering distribution, ensuring that all visitors enter the sacred precincts in a state of respect and humility. ## Visitor Information ### Dress Code Head covering required at all times inside the complex; remove footwear before entering; modest, conservative clothing recommended ### Photography Photography is generally permitted in the outer complex; avoid photographing during prayer ceremonies inside the Darbar Sahib without permission ### Etiquette Maintain silence and reverence inside the Darbar Sahib; do not bring tobacco, alcohol, or meat into the premises; wash hands before partaking in langar; donations are voluntary and welcome ## Climate & Best Time to Visit ## Langar (Free Community Kitchen) Capacity not precisely documented; significantly expanded during major Gurpurab celebrations when thousands of devotees are served Seating Capacity ## Architecture Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib Kashipur is described as a serene white structure characteristic of many community gurdwaras in the Himalayan foothills of northern India. The complex follows traditional Sikh sacred architecture, featuring a central prayer hall (Darbar Sahib) where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed and Gurbani Kirtan is performed continuously throughout the day. The gurdwara compound includes a dedicated langar hall where the round-the-clock community kitchen operates, serving free meals to all visitors and pilgrims. The Bebe Nanki Niwas Sarai, a pilgrim accommodation block with approximately 30 rooms, forms part of the complex and reflects the tradition of providing rest and shelter to travelling devotees. The entrance to the complex typically features the Nishan Sahib — the triangular saffron Sikh flag mounted on a tall flagpole — which serves as a visible beacon of the gurdwara's presence within the urban landscape of Kashipur. The complex also includes a shoe storage area (juta ghar) and washing facilities near the entrance, in keeping with standard gurdwara design that requires visitors to remove footwear before entering. The overall aesthetic is one of peaceful simplicity, prioritising devotional function over ornamental grandeur, consistent with many community-managed gurdwaras of the Kumaon region. ## Structures in the Complex ### Darbar Sahib (Main Prayer Hall) prayer_hall The central sanctum of the gurdwara where the Guru Granth Sahib — the eternal living scripture and Guru of the Sikhs — is installed on a raised palki (throne). Continuous Gurbani Kirtan is performed here from 3:45 AM to 8:00 PM daily. Devotees sit on the carpeted floor in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib for prayers and reflection. ### Langar Hall langar_hall The community kitchen and dining hall where free meals are served 24 hours a day to all visitors without distinction of religion, caste, or status. The langar operates year-round and is significantly expanded during major Gurpurab celebrations when thousands of devotees are served. The hall embodies the Sikh principle of seva and equality. ### Bebe Nanki Niwas Sarai museum The pilgrim accommodation facility within the gurdwara complex, named after Bebe Nanki, Guru Nanak Dev Ji's elder sister who was among the first to recognise his divine nature. The sarai offers approximately 30 rooms for visiting pilgrims and devotees. Named in honour of the beloved sister of Guru Nanak, the facility reflects the gurdwara's commitment to hospitality. ### Nishan Sahib tower The tall flagpole bearing the triangular saffron Sikh flag (Nishan Sahib) with the Khanda symbol, which marks the gurdwara's presence in the Kashipur urban landscape. The Nishan Sahib is a universal marker of all Sikh gurdwaras and serves as a beacon for devotees approaching the complex from any direction. ### Entrance Gateway (Darwaza) entrance The main entrance gate to the gurdwara complex, where visitors wash their feet, cover their heads, and remove their footwear before entering. The gate area includes facilities for shoe storage and head-covering distribution, ensuring that all visitors enter the sacred precincts in a state of respect and humility. ## Events & Celebrations ### gurpurab #### Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurab The most important annual celebration at the gurdwara, marking the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The event features a Prabhat Pheri (early morning procession), Akhand Path (continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib), kirtan programmes, and extended langar. Thousands of devotees attend from across the Terai and Kumaon region. The celebrations typically span two to three days. #### Guru Gobind Singh Ji Gurpurab The birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth and last human Sikh Guru, celebrated with special Akhand Path, kirtan, and a large community langar. Typically observed in December or January, the occasion draws significant congregations to the gurdwara. #### Guru Arjun Dev Ji Shaheedi Diwas A solemn commemoration of the martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru, who became the first Sikh martyr in 1606 CE. Observed typically in June with special prayers and ardas. Sharbat (cool drinks) and light refreshments are traditionally distributed during this hot-season observance as an act of seva. ### festival #### Baisakhi Celebrated on 13–14 April each year, Baisakhi marks the Sikh New Year and also commemorates the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. The gurdwara holds special prayers, kirtan, and community langar. The festival is particularly significant in Uttarakhand where agricultural communities celebrate the spring harvest alongside the religious observance. ### weekly #### Sangrand The first day of each month in the Nanakshahi Sikh calendar is observed as Sangrand at the gurdwara with special prayers, path, and kirtan. Devotees gather for the monthly congregational prayers and partake in langar. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### visiting The gurdwara is open to visitors from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily. Gurbani Kirtan (devotional hymn singing) is conducted from 3:45 AM to 8:00 PM. The langar (free community kitchen) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Yes, the gurdwara offers pilgrim accommodation at Bebe Nanki Niwas Sarai, which has approximately 30 rooms available for devotees and visitors. For reservations, contact the gurdwara at +91-9012913024 or 05947-279264. No, entry to the gurdwara is completely free of charge. This is in keeping with the Sikh tradition that all gurdwaras must be open and accessible to everyone regardless of religion, caste, or background. The langar (community meals) is also served free of charge to all visitors. Several notable places are within easy reach: Drona Sagar Lake (~3 km), a peaceful lake associated with the Mahabharata; Moteshwar Mahadev Temple (~4 km); Jim Corbett National Park (~30–35 km), famous for Bengal tigers and wildlife; and Gurdwara Sri Nanakmatta Sahib (~55 km), another historically significant Sikh shrine on the route of Guru Nanak's third Udasi. ### history The gurdwara commemorates the visit of Guru Nanak Dev Ji — the founder of Sikhism — to Kashipur during his third spiritual journey (Udasi), traditionally dated to around 1514–1517 CE. According to local tradition, Guru Nanak intervened to protect the town from devastating annual floods caused by the Dhela River. After the Guru's ardas (prayer), the river is said to have permanently receded from the town. A sacred shrine was established at this site in his memory, and over centuries it grew into the present gurdwara. The gurdwara is one of the most important Sikh shrines in Uttarakhand, as it marks a site directly visited by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. The associated legend of the Dhela River miracle — where the Guru's prayer is said to have permanently protected Kashipur from floods — gives this site a special place in Sikh devotional memory. It is part of a sacred pilgrimage corridor in the Kumaon-Terai region that includes Gurdwara Sri Nanakmatta Sahib, approximately 55 km away. ### transport The gurdwara is located in Mohalla Pakka Kot, Kashipur, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. The nearest railway station is Kashipur Junction (KPV), approximately 2 km away, connected to Delhi, Lucknow, Moradabad, and many other major cities. The nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport, about 57–68 km away. By road, Kashipur is 226 km from Delhi via Moradabad and 141 km from Haridwar. Buses from ISBT Anand Vihar, Delhi regularly serve Kashipur. ### events The four main festivals celebrated at the gurdwara are: Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Gurpurab (birthday, typically in November), Guru Gobind Singh Ji's Gurpurab (birthday, typically in January), Guru Arjun Dev Ji's Shaheedi Diwas (martyrdom day, typically in June), and Baisakhi (Sikh New Year, 13–14 April). Thousands of devotees gather during these occasions for special prayers, kirtan, and langar. Suggest an Edit Upload Photos ![Marker](https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/images/marker-icon.png) Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib Kashipur Leaflet Get Directions → ### Contribute Help improve this page. Suggest edits, add photos, or share information about this Gurdwara. Suggest an Edit