Guru Ka Taal

Guru Ka Taal In Agra

Guru ka Tal is a historical Sikh pilgrimage place dedicated to the memory of ninth Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahudar Ji. Guru ka Tal is near Sikandra in Agra. The Gurudwara was built over the place where the Guru Tegh Bahadur laid down his arms to offer arrest to Aurangazeb, the Mughal Emperor. Several devotees gather every year to pay homage to the great Sikh guru in this Gurudwara. The Gurudwara is one of the chief attractions of Agra. Guru Ka Taal is the most revered and venerated place of the Sikhs dwelling in Agra. Of the 10 Sikh prophets four are supposed to have visited this holy place.

History of Guru Ka Taal

This historic structure dates back to the 17th century. Earlier it was a Tal (reservoir) in the area near Sikandra. It was built in 1610 AD to collect and conserve rainwater in Agra during Jehangir reign. The water of the reservoir was used for irrigation purposes during the dry season. The reservoir was ornamented with stone carvings. This is said to be the place where the Guru Tegh Bahadur laid down his arms to offer arrest to Aurangazeb. The Gurudwara called Guru Ka Taal was built in 1970s due to the contributions and arduous efforts of Sant Sadhu Singh Mauni. Its construction was completed with the contributions and laborious efforts of Sant Sadhu Singh Mauni. This apart, it is also said that Tal was a reservoir. It was decorated with intricate stone carvings.

Architecture of Guru ka Taal

There were twelve towers in the Tal, but only eight towers have survived the test of time and have now been retrieved. This red stone structure bears similarity to many other magnificent structures of the Mughals like the Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri etc. The Agra Guru Ka Taal is a holy place of worship for the Sikh. The four Sikh gurus of the 10 Sikh gurus are said to have paid it a visit. Every year thousands of devotees gather here to pay homage to the great Sikh guru.

Location, Timings and Entry Fee

Its premises remain open daily from dawn to dusk. There are no charges required for entry into the Guru Ka Taal. This tourist attraction is well connected by road from all over the city. The nearest railway station to Sikandra is Baluchpura Railway Station that is located at a distance of 5 kms from the place. The religious sanctuary, Guru ka Taal is a revered place for the Sikhs and a major tourist attraction of India.