Nanded: Sikh Tradition and Architecture

Nanded combines Sikh tradition with impressive architecture and places that tell the story of the city’s religious history. At Hazur Sahib Gurudwara, kirtan, religious singing, and ardas, prayer, are part of worship. There is also an inner shrine with personal relics and a community langar kitchen. Nanded thus offers more than a single glimpse of its history: prayer, shared meals and architecture shape different facets of this destination.

Hazur Sahib: Architecture and History

Hazur Sahib Gurudwara combines Mughal and Sikh architectural styles and was built mainly from white marble. The inner shrine, Angitha Sahib, is located where Guru Gobind Singh Ji was cremated. It houses personal relics of the Guru, including weapons and other artefacts. The site thus brings both religious devotion and historical remembrance to life. In Nanded, the Gurudwara is also known as Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib; it was here that the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, left his earthly life in 1708.

Nanded is considered the second-largest Sikh pilgrimage site after Amritsar and is associated with Gurudwara Hazur Sahib. This gives the city a clear cultural focus. Visitors interested in Sikh history and religious practice will find tangible points of connection here, from the Gurudwara’s architecture to its worship services and the significance of the shrine.

Worship, Langar and Dussehra

At Hazur Sahib, worshippers take part in kirtan and ardas. The community langar kitchen is also part of the religious tradition: free meals are served there to all visitors. Sharing a meal is a distinct part of the experience, alongside singing, prayer and viewing the shrine.

The Dussehra festival is held at Hazur Sahib every year. Its stated features include processions and kirtan; details may vary from year to year. If attending a festival is important to your trip, check the dates and programme in advance. This helps distinguish the annual tradition from an ordinary visit without assuming that the same programme takes place every year.

Nanded Fort and the Godavari

Nanded Fort offers a different perspective: there is a garden within its walls, and the Godavari surrounds the fort on three sides. This combination of fortifications, garden and river adds a geographical dimension to the city’s religious focus. These offer two distinct interests to consider when planning your trip: you can focus on the Gurudwara’s history and architecture, or explore Nanded Fort and its riverside setting.

The wider Nanded destination

The wider Nanded destination also offers religious and cultural points of interest. Every year on Dussehra, a large fair is held at Mahur Gadh in honour of Renukadevi. Mahur Gadh is considered an important pilgrimage centre and one of Maharashtra’s Shakti Pithas. The Hottal festival, also known as Navaru, brings together folk dances, music concerts and exhibitions of local art and handicrafts each year. Traditional food stalls serve Maharashtrian specialities. These places and events are in Nanded district and are therefore a distinct part of a trip that extends beyond the city.

The examples differ in character: Hazur Sahib represents Sikh tradition and worship, Mahur Gadh a Dussehra fair, and the Hottal festival art, music, dance and food. If you are planning a trip focused on Nanded, you can weigh up these different highlights and decide whether your stay should focus mainly on the city or also include the wider district.

Getting to Nanded and holiday rentals

The bus station is on NH222 in Nanded. The city is also home to Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Airport and Huzur Sahib Nanded railway station, which is part of South Central Railway.

When searching for a holiday rental, use your planned focus as a starting point. If you intend to spend most of your time at Sikh sites and in Nanded itself, focus your search on Nanded. If you also want to include Mahur Gadh or Hottal, plan these destinations as part of the wider Nanded district and check connections separately. This keeps your accommodation choice aligned with your itinerary without treating the city and other places in the district as one and the same.

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