Area guides / Punjab / Nankana Sahib
Area guide
Nankana Sahib
The birthplace of Guru Nanak and its gurdwaras
Region
Punjab
When to go
October to March for comfortable weather. Gurpurab, Guru Nanak's birthday in November, is the spiritual high point, with very large crowds.
Getting there
About 1.5 hours by road from Lahore. Pilgrim groups usually travel via Lahore.
Spots
4 key places
Overview
About Nankana Sahib
Nankana Sahib, west of Lahore, is named after Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, who was born here. The town is built around Gurdwara Janam Asthan, a protected heritage monument marking his birthplace, with several other historic gurdwaras close by.
About 1.5 hours by road from Lahore. Pilgrim groups usually travel via Lahore.
Gurdwara Janam Asthan
One of the holiest sites of Sikhism, the gurdwara is managed by the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee. Follow the shrine's etiquette and the guidance of its staff.
The circuit of gurdwaras
Tambu Sahib, Balila Sahib, Patti Sahib, Kiara Sahib and Mal Ji Sahib each mark an episode of Guru Nanak's childhood, all within a short distance of the main shrine.
Top sights in Nankana Sahib
Region guide →Field Guides
All places →Nankana Sahib
Nankana Sahib is the holiest site in Sikhism, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, the founder of the faith, born here in 1469. The town, about 75 km southwest of Lahore, is built around Gurdwara Janam Asthan, the gleaming white-and-gold shrine marking the spot of his birth, and several other historic gurdwaras associated with episodes of his life. Each November, on Guru Nanak's birth anniversary, tens of thousands of Sikh pilgrims from India and the global diaspora converge here for one of the most important gatherings in the Sikh world.
Gurdwara Tambu Sahib
It is the Gurdwara Tambu Sahib. On his way back home after entering into Succha Soda (True Bargain) by spending his father's (Mehta Kalu), 20 rupees on feeding the starving mystics, Guru Nanak Ji along with Bhai Mardana took shelter under a van tree. The tree under which he sat is still present and is known as Tambo Sahib because it is spread like a tent. The Gurdwara was under the control of Nahang Sikhs. No land endowment stands in the name of Gurdwara. Mahant Bhai Sharam Singh had taken over the task of serving Guru Granth Sahib at the behest of Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee whereas Nahang Ujagar Singh, opposing it, had established a separate Prakashasthan near Tambu Sahib. The Prakashasthan established by Nahang Sikh, known as Nahang Singh Chaoni (camp), is still standing beside the Gurdwara Tambo Sahib. Prakash is not held on both the places now. The yatrees who come to Nankana Sahib consider it to be their good fortune to prostrate at this place.
Gurdwara Balila Sahib
There is a water tank east of Gurdwara which was built in the name of Guru Dev Ji by Rai Bular. In 1820-21 AD Baba Gurbukhsh Singh built the building of the Gurdwara and its adjacent tank with bricks following the command of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Later Nirmal Mahants started a new building, but it could be completed, and the control of the shrine passed on to the Parbandhak Committee. Baba Sant Gurmukh Singh Ji of Patiala got the building completed in 1945-6. He also constructed the steps and boundary wall of the water tank. The maintenance of this shrine is now in the hands of Waqf Board. Its water tank remains dry and the locks of the Gurdwara are opened only for Sikh yatrees. The Prakash does not take place now the building is the only monument.
Gurdwara Patti Sahib
He was sent to Maulana Qutbuddin of Talwandi to learn Arabic and Persian at the age of thirteen. His worldly tutors had to bow their heads before Jagat Guru's brilliant intellect, spiritual knowledge and broad mind. Guru Ji composed this bani called Patti in "Asa Rag" to remove the suspicion and to break the pride of pandit.
