Hazur Sahib
One of the five takhts, the seats of Sikh authority, built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh from 1832 to 1837 near the Godavari River. Cover your head, dress modestly and remove your shoes.
1 to 2 daysHow long to stay
Budget to mid-rangeRough cost
Couples, Families, Friends, SoloWho it suits
Maharashtrathe West Coast
Is this for you?
Nanded is where the line of living Sikh Gurus ended. Guru Gobind Singh died here in 1708, after naming the scripture as the eternal Guru, and Hazur Sahib stands on the spot. If Sikh history matters to you, it's worth the journey, and it's only about 3 hours by train from the Ajanta and Ellora gateway. If it doesn't, skip it, because we found little else for you here.
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Go in the coloured months. The black ones are best avoided.
What to do
Angitha Sahib
The inner room has gold-plated walls, and the name is also given to the shrine marking where the Guru was cremated. Ask someone to show you the way, and keep your voice down.
The Guru's weapons
By day the gurdwara displays weapons linked to Guru Gobind Singh, including a golden dagger, a quiver of 35 arrows and five golden swords. Ask before you take any photos.
Langar
A langar is a free community meal, served to everyone, whatever you believe. Sit in the row, take only what you'll eat, and return your plate. Times were not confirmed, so ask when you arrive.
Smaller gurdwaras
The board lists several more gurdwaras around town, including Nagina Ghat, Hira Ghat and Mata Sahib. See one or two if you've got a second day.
What to eat
Eat langar, the free community meal at Hazur Sahib, and treat anything else as a bonus. Around town it's hot Marathwada cooking of millet flatbreads and spicy gravies. We found no alcohol or meat ban here, and licensed places exist, but keep both well away from the gurdwaras.
Bhakri with thecha
Flatbread of jowar or bajra millet with thecha, a fierce chutney of green chilli and garlic. Take the thecha slowly, and have curd nearby.
Vegetarian
Langar
A free community meal, vegetarian on normal days and served to everyone at Hazur Sahib and Langar Sahib. Cover your head and sit in the row.
Vegetarian
Mutton rassa
A very hot mutton curry in a deep red gravy of dry coconut, garlic and black pepper. Have it with bhakri or rice, away from the gurdwaras.
Patodi rassa
Gram flour rolls simmered in a hot gravy of garlic, chilli and dry coconut, eaten with bhakri at lunch.
Vegetarian
Shev bhaji
Crisp gram flour noodles, called shev, dropped into a thick spicy gravy. Eat it with bread at a dhaba, a roadside eatery.
Vegetarian
Getting there
Come by train. The 20706 Vande Bharat runs Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar 18:45 to Nanded 22:25, from Mumbai at 13:15, not Thursdays. The 20705 goes back at 5:20, not Wednesdays (third-party listing). The direct Sachkhand Express links Amritsar but takes over 30 hours. Star Air flights are limited, so check first.
Where to stay
Near Hazur Sahib Book a hotel in town, since Hazur Sahib is about 4 km from the station. The gurdwara has rooms, but we couldn't confirm that foreigners can book them.
Worth knowing
Rules
In Maharashtra the minimum age is 25 for spirits (a permit rule) and 21 for beer. The excise manual we read is undated, so expect to be asked for ID.
Opening
Don't build your trip around a flight here. Star Air's listed schedule is thin and changes by season, so check before booking and keep the train as your plan.
Rules
Cover your head with a scarf, not a cap, and remove your shoes. Leave tobacco and alcohol outside, and never point your feet at the scripture. Nobody checks your religion.
1 more to know
Opening
Ask the 24-hour call centre on +91 82977 82977 about hours. Sources give everything from open all day to 2:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Sources differ on this, or we have only one, so check locally.
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