# Guru Nanak Math Kathmandu Nepal - History, Timings & Visitor Guide | GurdwaraSahib.in > Guru Nanak Math, Balaju, Kathmandu — founded 1515–16 by Malla King. Renovated by SGNDSSI USA. Sacred site of Guru Nanak's meditation in Nepal. # 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 Get Directions Share: Entry: Dress Code: 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. ## Significance Guru Nanak Math holds a place of profound reverence in the Sikh faith and the broader spiritual heritage of the Himalayan region. As the site where Guru Nanak Dev is believed to have meditated during his third Udasi (c. 1515–1516), it represents one of the earliest and most geographically distant markers of Sikhism's founding Guru's reach and spiritual mission, predating many other historic gurdwaras. The Math is home to several sacred relics of exceptional importance. Its most treasured possession is a handwritten copy of the Guru Granth Sahib estimated to be approximately 300 years old — believed to be the oldest manuscript of the holy scripture in Nepal. The site also preserves a rabab traditionally said to have belonged to Bhai Mardana, Guru Nanak's foremost disciple and musical companion, lending the Math a direct personal link to the companions of the first Guru. A stone slab beneath the pipal tree marks the exact spot of Guru Nanak's meditation, drawing pilgrims who come to sit in silent reverence at this hallowed ground. The sacred well, whose walls bear inscriptions of the Mool Mantra, is regarded as especially auspicious. For Nepal's small but historically rooted Sikh community — estimated at around 3,000 — and for Sikh pilgrims arriving from India and across the world, Guru Nanak Math is the spiritual centrepiece of any visit to Kathmandu. The site also carries significance for Nepal's wider Hindu community, given Guru Nanak's revered status as a saint across multiple faith traditions. The Math represents a unique example of cross-cultural devotion, founded by a Nepali king from the Hindu Malla dynasty in honour of a Sikh Guru, embodying centuries of interfaith respect. ## Nearby Gurdwaras ### Gurudwara ललितपुर महानगरपालिका, India 4.2 km 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 ### Gurdwara Guru Nanak Satsang Lalitpur India 4.2 km away 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily; main weekly con... 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. Historical ## Detailed History The history of Guru Nanak Math stretches back to 1515–1516 AD, during the third Udasi (spiritual journey) of Guru Nanak Dev, the first Guru of Sikhism. Travelling through the Himalayan foothills in search of saints and peaceful abodes for meditation, Guru Nanak arrived in the Kathmandu Valley and took up residence on a forested hill beside the Bishnumati River in what is now Balaju. He spent over a month meditating under a great pipal tree at this tranquil riverbank location. The founding of the Math is intimately connected with a celebrated legend of the Malla dynasty. A ruling Malla king of the early sixteenth century — identified in some sources as Raja Jaya Jagat Malia — had fallen into a state of severe mental affliction. Alarmed by his behaviour, his brothers exiled him to India. Wandering through the holy city of Varanasi (Benares), the king encountered Guru Nanak and beseeched him for healing. After repeated visits and earnest prayers, the Guru counselled the king to return to his kingdom, assuring him that restoration of his health awaited him there. Miraculously, Guru Nanak himself preceded the king to Kathmandu and was already meditating under the pipal tree when the king arrived. Overwhelmed with gratitude, the king wished the Guru to return to the royal palace, but Guru Nanak declined, content in the serenity of the riverside hillside. The king then donated approximately 200 acres of land in Guru Nanak's name — records of this grant in the name of Nanak have been preserved in historical revenue documents — and had a temple constructed at the site. According to tradition, upon the king's death, a portion of his ashes was buried at the shrine, fulfilling his final wishes. For centuries the Math remained an active place of worship, maintained by Udasi saints. It housed a handwritten Guru Granth Sahib of extraordinary age and housed several sacred artefacts. However, by the twentieth century, the site had fallen into severe disrepair. Urban encroachment steadily reduced the original land grant from 200 acres to barely 4 acres. In 1992, Manjit Singh Khalsa, President of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Sewa Society International (SGNDSSI), USA, visited the site and found the building in a critically deteriorated condition. He subsequently led SGNDSSI in a full renovation of the structure. Further restoration efforts followed in the 2010s, when SP Singh Oberoi's Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust undertook kar sewa (voluntary renovation), cleaning the historic 27-foot-deep sacred well — within whose walls inscriptions of the Mool Mantra were discovered — and restoring the wooden structure. Plans for a langar hall, guesthouse, museum, and recovery of encroached land have been pursued with the support of Nepal's government. ## Structures in the Complex ### Main Darbar Sahib (Prayer Hall) prayer_hall The central sanctum of Guru Nanak Math where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed and daily prayers (nitnem) are recited. The intimate, traditionally plastered interior reflects sixteenth-century Nepalese architectural style and houses the approximately 300-year-old handwritten Guru Granth Sahib. ### Meditation Stone and Pipal Tree museum The sacred outdoor spot beneath the ancient pipal tree where Guru Nanak Dev is believed to have meditated in 1515–1516. A carved stone slab laid with two footprints and adorned with roses marks the precise location, forming the spiritual centrepiece of the gurdwara complex. ### Sacred Well (Khuhi) tower A 27-foot-deep historical well within the gurdwara complex, dating to the time of the Math's founding. During restoration cleaning, inscriptions of the Mool Mantra (the foundational Sikh prayer) were discovered on the well's interior walls, adding to its sacred significance. ### Central Courtyard and Shrine entrance The freshly plastered central courtyard contains the main shrine with a tulsi plant growing from its top, surrounded by devotional imagery. The courtyard serves as the transitional sacred space between the exterior garden and the inner prayer hall. ### Langar Hall (Community Kitchen) langar_hall A community kitchen and dining area where free meals (langar) are served to all visitors regardless of faith. Expansion and formalisation of the langar facilities have been part of ongoing renovation plans by SGNDSSI and the Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust. ## Visitor Information ### Dress Code Head covering required; remove shoes before entering the gurdwara; modest, respectful clothing recommended ### Photography Photography may be permitted in the garden and exterior areas; check with the granthi (caretaker) before photographing the interior and sacred relics ### Etiquette Bow respectfully before the Guru Granth Sahib; maintain silence within the prayer hall; do not touch sacred relics without permission; alcohol and tobacco strictly prohibited on premises ## Climate & Best Time to Visit ## Langar (Free Community Kitchen) Currently modest capacity given the small scale of the facility; expanded facilities planned Seating Capacity ## Architecture Guru Nanak Math is built in the traditional Nepalese vernacular architectural style, reflecting the sixteenth-century Malla-period construction techniques of the Kathmandu Valley. From the outside, the gurdwara is deliberately understated — it resembles a modest Nepali farmhouse rather than a grand religious monument, with lime-washed walls and an entrance doorway plastered with ochre earth. The doorway itself is characteristically small, in the manner of old Nepali construction, requiring visitors to bow their heads to enter — a gesture of humility befitting the site's spiritual ethos. Inside, the structure opens onto a freshly plastered central courtyard around which the main shrine is arranged. At the heart of the courtyard stands a sacred tulsi plant atop the central shrine, alongside devotional images. The garden contains the ancient pipal tree under which Guru Nanak is believed to have meditated, with a commemorative stone slab carved with two footprints and adorned with roses marking the precise meditation spot. A 27-foot-deep sacred well, believed to date to the period of the gurdwara's founding, is a structurally and spiritually significant feature of the complex. The overall complex is set on a forested hillside, with the natural landscape — trees, bamboo groves, and the proximity of the Bishnumati River — forming an integral part of its sacred character. Restoration works undertaken since the 1990s and 2010s have repaired the wooden structural elements while preserving the building's historic Nepalese character. ## Structures in the Complex ### Main Darbar Sahib (Prayer Hall) prayer_hall The central sanctum of Guru Nanak Math where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed and daily prayers (nitnem) are recited. The intimate, traditionally plastered interior reflects sixteenth-century Nepalese architectural style and houses the approximately 300-year-old handwritten Guru Granth Sahib. ### Meditation Stone and Pipal Tree museum The sacred outdoor spot beneath the ancient pipal tree where Guru Nanak Dev is believed to have meditated in 1515–1516. A carved stone slab laid with two footprints and adorned with roses marks the precise location, forming the spiritual centrepiece of the gurdwara complex. ### Sacred Well (Khuhi) tower A 27-foot-deep historical well within the gurdwara complex, dating to the time of the Math's founding. During restoration cleaning, inscriptions of the Mool Mantra (the foundational Sikh prayer) were discovered on the well's interior walls, adding to its sacred significance. ### Central Courtyard and Shrine entrance The freshly plastered central courtyard contains the main shrine with a tulsi plant growing from its top, surrounded by devotional imagery. The courtyard serves as the transitional sacred space between the exterior garden and the inner prayer hall. ### Langar Hall (Community Kitchen) langar_hall A community kitchen and dining area where free meals (langar) are served to all visitors regardless of faith. Expansion and formalisation of the langar facilities have been part of ongoing renovation plans by SGNDSSI and the Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust. ## Events & Celebrations ### gurpurab #### Guru Nanak Gurpurab The most important annual celebration at Guru Nanak Math, commemorating the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. Held in November (Kartik Pooranmashi), the occasion draws Sikh pilgrims from across Nepal and India. Celebrations include Akhand Path (uninterrupted reading of the Guru Granth Sahib), kirtan (devotional singing), and a large community langar. #### Guru Gobind Singh Gurpurab Annual celebration of the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru and founder of the Khalsa. Observed with Akhand Path, kirtan and community langar at the Math, drawing local and visiting Sikh devotees. ### festival #### Baisakhi Celebrated every April to mark the Sikh New Year and the founding of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. The local Sikh sangat gathers for special prayers, kirtan, and langar at Guru Nanak Math, with participation from the broader Kathmandu Sikh community. #### Hola Mohalla Observed the day after Holi, Hola Mohalla is a Sikh festival featuring devotional singing, prayers, and community gathering. At Guru Nanak Math, the occasion is marked with kirtan and langar in the tradition of the Kathmandu Sikh sangat. ### historical #### Annual Kar Sewa (Voluntary Renovation Service) Periodic community-led voluntary service events (kar sewa) for the maintenance and restoration of Guru Nanak Math. These events have been organised by SGNDSSI and the Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust and involve Sikh volunteers from Nepal, India, and the diaspora. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### visiting Guru Nanak Math in Balaju, Kathmandu is generally accessible to visitors daily from approximately 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM. As it is maintained by a caretaker Udasi saint, visitors are advised to confirm current timings on arrival or through local Sikh community contacts. The gurdwara is open to people of all faiths. Yes, entry to Guru Nanak Math is completely free of charge, in keeping with the universal Sikh tradition of welcoming all people regardless of faith, nationality, or background. Visitors are, however, expected to observe gurdwara etiquette: covering the head, removing footwear, and refraining from alcohol and tobacco. The most important celebration at Guru Nanak Math is Guru Nanak Gurpurab (the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev), held annually in November, which draws Sikh pilgrims from across Nepal and India. Baisakhi (April), marking the Sikh New Year and founding of the Khalsa, is also observed. Community prayers and langar are held on all major Gurpurab occasions throughout the year. ### history Guru Nanak Math was established around 1515–1516 AD when Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, visited Kathmandu during his third Udasi (spiritual journey). He meditated under a pipal tree on the banks of the Bishnumati River. A Malla dynasty king — Raja Jaya Jagat Malia — who had been healed by the Guru's guidance, donated land and built a temple at the site. In 1992, Manjit Singh Khalsa, President of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Sewa Society International USA, found the building in terrible condition and organised its complete renovation. Further restoration was undertaken in the 2010s by the Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust. Guru Nanak Math houses several priceless sacred relics: a handwritten copy of the Guru Granth Sahib estimated to be approximately 300 years old (believed to be the oldest in Nepal); a rabab (musical instrument) traditionally associated with Bhai Mardana, Guru Nanak's disciple; a stone slab under the ancient pipal tree marking where Guru Nanak meditated; and a 27-foot-deep sacred well whose walls bear inscriptions of the Mool Mantra discovered during restoration work. The building was in a severely deteriorated state when Manjit Singh Khalsa, President of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Sewa Society International (SGNDSSI), USA, discovered and documented the site in 1992. SGNDSSI subsequently repaired and restored the entire building. Additional restoration work was later undertaken by the Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust, headed by Dubai-based businessman SP Singh Oberoi, which cleaned the sacred well and restored the wooden structure. Guru Nanak Math is the most historically significant Sikh shrine in Nepal and the spiritual heart of the Sikh community in Kathmandu. It marks the site of Guru Nanak's actual meditation during his visit of 1515–1516 AD, predating many other historic gurdwaras. For Nepal's Sikh community of approximately 3,000 and for Sikh pilgrims from around the world, it is a place of deep pilgrimage and reverence, connecting modern devotees directly to the founder of Sikhism. ### transport Guru Nanak Math is located in Balaju, near the Bishnumati Bridge at Naya Bazar, approximately 4 km northwest of central Kathmandu. From Tribhuvan International Airport (about 7–8 km away), take a taxi toward Balaju. From Thamel or central Kathmandu, local microbuses, taxis, and app-based rides (Pathao, InDriver) can reach Naya Bazar, Balaju. Look for the forested hillside near Bishnumati Bridge. Suggest an Edit Upload Photos ![Marker](https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/images/marker-icon.png) 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 Leaflet Get Directions → ### Contribute Help improve this page. Suggest edits, add photos, or share information about this Gurdwara. Suggest an Edit