Gurdwaras in Dhaka

Gurudwara Sangat Tola Dhaka is one of the most historically significant Sikh shrines in Bangladesh, located in the Bangla Bazar area of Dhaka at 14 Sreesh Das Lane. This sacred gurdwara stands as an enduring testament to the spiritual journey of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, who visited and resided in Dhaka between approximately 1666 and 1668 during his extensive missionary travels through eastern India, Bengal, and Assam. The gurdwara is among the oldest Sikh places of worship in the Bengal region, with a history spanning over three centuries. The shrine holds a place of singular importance in Sikh religious memory because it was here, during Guru Tegh Bahadur's sojourn in Dhaka, that the Guru received the joyous news of the birth of his son, Gobind Rai — who would later become Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and final human Sikh Guru and the founder of the Khalsa Panth. This profound event elevates Gurudwara Sangat Tola to a revered status among Sikhs worldwide, making it a site of deep spiritual pilgrimage for the Sikh diaspora and the local community alike. The gurdwara is situated in Bangla Bazar, one of the oldest commercial and residential quarters of old Dhaka. The name 'Sangat Tola' refers to the congregation — sangat — that gathered around the Guru during his stay, reflecting the tradition of collective worship and community solidarity that lies at the heart of Sikh practice. The area around the gurdwara still bears the layered character of old Dhaka, with narrow lanes and centuries-old markets echoing the region's rich cultural exchange between Mughal, Hindu, and Sikh traditions. Over the centuries, Gurudwara Sangat Tola has served as a gathering place for the Sikh community of Bangladesh. Though the Sikh population of Bangladesh is relatively small, it maintains a vibrant presence in Dhaka. The gurdwara functions as a place of daily worship and recitation of Gurbani (Sikh scripture), as well as a community hub where religious festivals, kirtan (devotional music), and langar (community kitchen) services are conducted. Consistent with the Sikh principle of universal brotherhood and equality, the gurdwara warmly welcomes people of all faiths. In recent years, the gurdwara has benefited from restoration and refurbishment efforts aimed at preserving its aging structure. The building, believed to be over 300 years old, had suffered from neglect and the passage of time, but renewed attention from the Sikh community, international heritage advocates, and the Gurpuri documentary project helped mobilize support and resources for its revival. For Sikh pilgrims visiting Bangladesh, Gurudwara Sangat Tola is an essential stop alongside the nearby Gurdwara Nanak Shahi — another historic Sikh shrine in Dhaka associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism — together forming the spiritual heart of Sikh heritage in Bangladesh.