Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi Nanak Mata is a historically revered Sikh shrine located within the sacred complex of Nanakmatta in the Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand, northern India. Positioned approximately one to one-and-a-half kilometres from the main Gurdwara Nanak Mata Sahib, it forms an integral part of one of the most spiritually significant Sikh pilgrimage sites in the entire Himalayan foothills region. The name 'Chhevin Patshahi' translates literally to 'Sixth Reign' or 'Sixth Throne,' directly commemorating a visit by the Sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, who came to Nanakmatta to restore the shrine from the hands of rival yogic sects in the early seventeenth century.
Nanakmatta itself is a small but deeply sacred town that takes its name from Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh faith, who visited the site during his third Udasi (spiritual journey) around 1514 AD. This rich dual association with both the First and the Sixth Gurus makes Nanakmatta — and each of the eight historic gurdwaras within its broader complex — exceptionally important to Sikhs across the world. Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi Nanak Mata stands as a living monument to Guru Hargobind's courage and devotion, marking the precise spot where the Guru is traditionally said to have tethered his horse before undertaking his mission to reclaim the site for the Sikh panth (community).
The gurdwara draws thousands of pilgrims and devout Sikhs throughout the year, with major surges of visitors during Sikh festivals including Guru Nanak Gurpurab, Baisakhi, and the Gurpurab of Guru Hargobind Sahib. The broader Nanakmatta complex is recognised as one of three principal Sikh holy shrines in Uttarakhand, alongside the iconic Gurdwara Hemkunt Sahib and Gurdwara Reetha Sahib. Beyond purely Sikh pilgrims, the site attracts spiritual seekers and tourists drawn by the extraordinary natural beauty of the Terai region, the serene Nanak Sagar reservoir that borders the township, and the timeless atmosphere of collective prayer and community service.
As with all gurdwaras, no pilgrim is ever turned away, and the tradition of langar — a free community kitchen serving meals to all visitors regardless of caste, creed, or social standing — operates here as a living expression of the Sikh values of equality and selfless service. The gurdwara is managed under the broader administration of the Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, Nanakmatta Sahib, which oversees the entire cluster of eight historic shrines in the area. Situated on the road between Khatima and Sitarganj and accessible from major north Indian cities, Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi Nanak Mata offers both the devout and the curious a profound encounter with one of Sikhism's most layered and storied sacred landscapes.
Significance
Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi Nanak Mata occupies a uniquely powerful place in the spiritual geography of Sikhism. As one of eight historic gurdwaras within the Nanakmatta complex, it commemorates the personal visit of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji — the Sixth of the Ten Gurus — and the miraculous events associated with his stay. The gurdwara is directly linked to one of the most celebrated episodes of Sikh history: the Guru's restoration of the Nanakmatta shrine from the grip of the Gorakh Panthis, an act that cemented the site's identity as unequivocally Sikh sacred ground.
The doctrine of Miri-Piri, which Guru Hargobind embodied through his wearing of two swords symbolising spiritual and worldly authority, finds vivid physical expression at this gurdwara. His willingness to deploy armed force in defence of a sacred site — and of a devoted servant like Baba Almast — resonates deeply with Sikhs who revere the Guru as the founder of a tradition of righteous resistance. The miracle of the dry horse-tethering post sprouting into a living tree is part of the living oral and devotional tradition associated with the site.
Nanakmatta as a whole is ranked among the three principal Sikh pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, alongside Hemkunt Sahib and Reetha Sahib, and Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi is an essential component of any complete pilgrimage to the complex. Visiting this gurdwara is considered an act of deep spiritual merit, connecting the devotee with a Guru who embodied both saint and soldier. The gurdwara also reinforces the Sikh value of seva (selfless service), as Baba Almast's decades of devoted guardianship of the site — and the Guru's response to his plea — stand as a model for faithful service.
Nearby Gurdwaras
Gurdwara Nanak Mata Sahib
899 m away
Gurdwara Nanak Mata Sahib, also known as Gurdwara Nanakmatta Sahib, is one of the most revered Sikh pilgrimage sites in northern India, situated in the town of Nanakmatta in the Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand. The town itself derives its name from this sacred shrine, a testament to the spiritual gravity the gurdwara commands in the region. Nestled on the banks of the Deoha stream — now part of the scenic Nanak Sagar reservoir — the gurdwara stands as one of three major Sikh holy sites in Uttarakhand, alongside Gurdwara Hemkunt Sahib and Gurdwara Reetha Sahib. The site is believed to mark the ground upon which Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, rested and engaged in profound spiritual discourse during his Third Udasi (journey) around 1514 CE. Before the arrival of Guru Nanak, the location was known as Gorakhmata — a prominent centre of Siddh-yogis who followed the traditions of the great yogi Gorakhnath. The transformation of this place from a Gorakhpanthi stronghold to a Sikh shrine is central to its historical and spiritual identity. Located approximately 15 kilometres west of Khatima Railway Station and 12 kilometres from Sitarganj town, Nanakmatta Sahib is accessible to pilgrims from across India. The gurdwara complex is expansive, encompassing the main prayer hall, the langar hall (community kitchen), a parikrama (circumambulatory path), a sarovar (sacred pool), and several subsidiary shrines that commemorate specific events and personages connected to the site's storied history. A 100-room sarai known as Guru Hargobind Niwas — with 50 rooms featuring attached bathrooms — provides comfortable accommodation for the thousands of pilgrims who visit throughout the year. The gurdwara is managed by the Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee Nanakmatta Sahib, which oversees day-to-day administration, the running of the langar, and the upkeep of the complex. Throughout the year, the shrine draws devotees especially during Gurpurabs — Sikh festivals commemorating the anniversaries of the Gurus — as well as Baisakhi and other major Sikh occasions. The sarovar at Nanakmatta Sahib is notable for housing a population of colourful fish considered sacred by pilgrims, and ritual bathing in its waters is regarded as spiritually purifying. Gurdwara Nanak Mata Sahib holds a distinguished place within both mainstream Sikh and Udasi tradition. The ancient pipal tree under which Guru Nanak Dev Ji is believed to have sat during his visit remains an object of great reverence, standing between the main building and the Gurdwara Patshahi Sixth. This living link to Sikh antiquity makes the gurdwara not merely a house of worship but a living museum of Sikh heritage, drawing historians, scholars, and pilgrims alike.
Gurdwara Nanaksar Sahib Barapura U.p.
19 km away
Gurdwara Nanaksar Sahib Barapura is a Sikh place of worship located in Barapura village, Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh, India, situated at coordinates 28.788437°N, 79.720812°E. It is a community gurdwara affiliated with the Nanaksar tradition — a deeply devotional branch of Sikhism founded by Sant Baba Nand Singh Ji of Kaleran, Punjab, in the early twentieth century. The Nanaksar movement is renowned for its emphasis on intense meditation, strict vegetarianism, Akhand Path (continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib), and an unwavering focus on the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh faith. Pilibhit district holds a distinctive place in the story of Sikhism in Uttar Pradesh. Known locally as 'Mini Punjab,' the district received thousands of Sikh refugees and farmers following the Partition of India in 1947, when the government allocated agricultural land in the fertile Terai belt to displaced families from West Punjab. Today, Sikhs constitute approximately 4.17% of Pilibhit's population of over two million — one of the highest concentrations of Sikhs in any district of Uttar Pradesh — and the community has established dozens of gurdwaras across the district to serve its spiritual and social needs. Gurdwara Nanaksar Sahib Barapura stands as a beacon of the Nanaksar sampradaya (tradition) in this region, offering the congregation a serene environment for kirtan, prayer, and reflection. Like all Nanaksar gurdwaras, it observes a strict code of conduct (maryada) that includes continuous recitation of Gurbani, vegetarian langar, and an atmosphere of quiet devotion. The gurdwara serves not only as a place of worship for the local Sikh community but also as a spiritual refuge for pilgrims and visitors travelling through the Pilibhit region. The gurdwara is open to people of all faiths, as is the tradition in Sikhism, and welcomes visitors who come to partake in the langar (community kitchen), listen to kirtan (devotional music), and seek the blessings of the Guru Granth Sahib. Its location in the Terai foothills region of northern Uttar Pradesh, not far from the more celebrated Gurdwara Nanakmata Sahib, places it within a corridor of significant Sikh religious heritage in this part of India. The gurdwara plays a vital role in preserving Sikh identity and culture in the diaspora communities of western Uttar Pradesh.
Gurdwara Sahib
31 km away
Gurdwara Sahib is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in India. It is situated in India, the birthplace of Sikhism and home to the largest Sikh population in the world. As with all gurdwaras, Gurdwara Sahib welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva).
Gurudawara Guru Singh Sabha , Bigwara
37 km away
Gurudawara Guru Singh Sabha , bigwara is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in India. It is situated in India, the birthplace of Sikhism and home to the largest Sikh population in the world. As with all gurdwaras, Gurudawara Guru Singh Sabha , bigwara welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva).