Situated nearly half a kilometer from the bank of Godavari in the city Nanded is Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib, one of the most important Sikh religious places in India, one of the five Takhats. On this place of historical importance, the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, camped in 1708 after he parted with Emperor Bahadur Shah who moved on over his journey South.

On his request, Guru Gobind Ji helped emperor Bahadur Shah win the throne of Delhi with his army of Sikhs. However, once the throne was secured, Bahadur Shah turned away from his promise that he would hand Guru Ji all the perpetrators of sinful acts against Sikhs during the rule of Aurangzeb. To resolve the matter, Guru Ji joined Bahadur Shah on his journey to South India. This journey made Wazir Khan, the Nawab of Sirhind, feel uneasy, and he sent two Pathan assassins to kill Guru Ji. The assassins blended themselves with the followers of Guru Ji and took an opportunity at Nanded to perform their task. Guru Ji was attacked in his tent while he was resting. Though Guru Ji finished one of the assassins while defending himself and the other was killed by the followers while h tried to flee, Guru Ji sustained a deep wound just below his heart. Thus, Guru Gobind Singh Ji was forced to halt at Nanded to regain health. This is where he held his court during his last days and from where he left for his heavenly abode together with his horse, Dilbag.

Before his departure, Guru Ji asked his followers to disband if they wished to and go home, but he requested Bhai Santokh Singh to remain there and carry on the custom of langar that had been started here after his arrival in Nanded. The langar is a holy custom started by the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji to feed the poor. The followers of Guru Gobind Singh Ji who stayed, built a room where Guru Ji used to sit and installed there the holy book, Guru Granth Sahib.

This Gurudwara at Nanded is a beautiful, shining-white building. The inner walls of the main building, called Angitha Sahib, have been gold plated. The pinnacle of its outer dome is gold plated copper. Spiritual relics of Guru Gobind Ji, a golden dagger, two bows, a quiver with 35 arrows, a steel shield, a matchlock gun and five golden swords, are placed here. A large guest house serves the visitors.

A visit to this Gurudwara is a spiritual experience to Sikhs as well as non-Sikhs.

Nanded is on a five-hour journey from Aurangabad via train. There are multiple trains available daily. Suitable options to travel via road are also available.

Quick Reference

Nanded lies in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra and is a religiously important place of the Sikhs. The Hazur Sahib Gurudwara is where the Holy Book of Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib was proclaimed as the immortal guru of the Sikhs by their last living Guru, Guru Gobind Singhji. A monument has been constructed on the place where he is known to have breathed his last. Thousands of tourists throng the Gurudwara to seek blessings. Nanded is accessible by road(7 hours) and rail (5 hours) from Aurangabad.