Sangat

42 km away

Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Sheetal Kund is a sacred Sikh shrine located in the ancient city of Rajgir in Nalanda district, Bihar, India. Situated in the village of Nimal, Rajgir (coordinates: 25.0124°N, 85.4203°E), this gurdwara commemorates one of the most celebrated miracles associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder and first Guru of Sikhism. The name 'Sheetal Kund' translates to 'cool pond' in Hindi and Sanskrit, directly referencing the miraculous transformation of a naturally occurring hot sulphurous spring into a cool, pure water source — a transformation believed to have been brought about by Guru Nanak's divine blessing during his visit to Rajgir around 1506 CE. Rajgir is itself a city of profound spiritual importance, revered across multiple faiths. Known in antiquity as Rajagriha — 'City of Kings' — it is mentioned in both Hindu epics and Buddhist scriptures as a location where the historical Buddha spent several monsoon seasons and where the First Buddhist Council was convened after his passing. Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, also spent significant time in Rajgir. This multi-faith heritage makes Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Sheetal Kund part of an extraordinary spiritual landscape where the legacies of Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, and Sikhism converge in a single valley encircled by five ancient hills. The principal attraction within the complex is the Sheetal Kund itself — a cool-water spring or pond that contrasts strikingly with the numerous hot sulphurous thermal springs for which Rajgir has been historically famous. According to tradition, all 22 natural springs in the area once ran hot with high sulphur content, and Guru Nanak's blessing transformed one into this cool, clear source, which continues to flow cold to this day even as neighbouring springs remain hot. The kund is registered in local revenue records at Khata No. 332, Khatauni No. 7690 of Mauza Rajgir, District Nalanda. In recent years, the gurdwara has undergone significant development. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar laid the foundation stone for a new, larger gurdwara complex at the site, planned on 1.25 acres at an estimated cost of approximately ₹3 crore — recognition at the highest levels of state government of the site's historical and religious importance. The existing complex includes a darbar sahib, langar hall, and about ten air-conditioned rooms for pilgrim accommodation. Holding a Google rating of 4.7 out of 5 based on over 332 reviews, the gurdwara is widely celebrated as a spiritually enriching destination, drawing Sikh pilgrims from across Bihar, eastern India, and the wider Sikh diaspora, especially during Gurpurab celebrations and Baisakhi. The surrounding mountain landscape and serene atmosphere make it a profoundly peaceful place of worship and reflection.