How To Reach Nanded

Nanded is connected to all the major cities in India and it is at a distance of 650 km from Mumbai. It is near about equidistance from some important cities like Aurangabad, Hydrabad, Solapur and Nagpur. It is having direct connectivity by Train from Mumbai, Pune, Banglore, Delhi, Amritsar, Bhopal, Indor, Agra, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Ajmer, Aurangabad and Nashik. From Mumbai to Nanded the journey is overnight. It takes nearly 30 hrs. to reach Nanded from Delhi by a direct train. After an exact one day of traveling one can reach here from Banglore.
Hyderabad is the nearest city at distance of 270kms. Considering development of the city; the national airport authority has approved a plan for expansion of the airport. Coming to Nanded by bus of State Transport or by private Travels is also very convenient because of large frequencies of buses. The central bus stand and Railway Station are at the heart of city. One can conveniently go to any part of the city by shared Auto Rikshaws and also by City Buses. Lodging facility is fairly good here. Tourist places around Nanded like Aundha Nagnath, Parli Viajnath, Mahur, Basar, Matasaab, Shikarghat, Sahasrtakund, Jamboolbet, Kedarguda, Kandhar can be easily approached by State Transport buses as well as private travels starting from Kalamandir or taxi also can be hired. In this section we are providing the necessary information of all these places and exact destination so one should enjoy visit to Nanded.

Nanded City -Introduction

Nanded is a city of about half a million people in the southeastern Maharashtra. The place was also known as Nandigram or the village of Nandi. Nanded occupies a unique place in the Marathwada region due to its religious, political and historic significance. It has Latur, Parbani districts to its West and the district of Yawatmal to its North. The region of Marathwada has Aurangabad and Nanded as its two large towns.
The town is around 150 miles from Aurangabad and similar distance from Hyderabad. Ahmadnagar another small town in Maharashtra is about 180 miles away. Mumbai the capital of Maharashtra is about 400 miles from the town. The town has a small airport but no government or private airlines have any flights to the airport. Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh is the best stopover for visiting the place. The state of roads in the fringe areas of Maharashtra is not good but travel in modern cars is comfortable.
Hyderabad also offers a range of staying options, presently lacking in Nanded. There are a few hotels in Nanded like the Hotel Chandralok and Hotel Anuradha Palace. The hotels are conveniently located and provide decent rooms at around $20 per night. There are no luxury hotels in the city. You can also ask for a prearranged tour through the hotels in Hyderabad. The Gurudwaras also have a few guest rooms which can be arranged by a personal visit.
Nanded has Penganga flowing to its North; Manjara River along the Eastern boundary and Godavari is flowing in the middle of the town, virtually dividing the town in North and South districts. The natural water sources and the fertile land have given a large natural wealth including a Penganga Sanctuary to Nanded. It is a pleasure driving around the outskirts and villages in the Nanded district.
The city is hot and dry from April to July with maximum temperature of about 110 degree Fahrenheit in June. The end July to end September is the rainy season. The average annual rainfall of around 900 mm is sufficient to highlight the infrastructure woes of the city. The month of October to March are the winter months and pleasant to travel. The minimum temperature during nights of around 48 degrees Fahrenheit may look quite cold but the days are bright, sunny and very comfortable.
The city has two renowned universities and is a well-known education center in the Marathwada region. The people are educated and speak Marathi, Hindi, Punjabi and also Telugu close to the border regions. There is a fairly large number of English speaking populace, though trained guides are hard to find.
The city markets are the best places to click a fantastic photo shoot and bargain hunting for souvenirs. You can always buy a Kada or a copper ring before entering the Gurudwaras. The shops also have all assortments of swords and knifes with exquisitely decorated sheaths. Be wary of the shop keepers trying to sell some of the so called antique stuff especially the equipment of the warrior Sikhs. But you indeed can get your picture taken in a warrior Sikh makeup.

Nanded- An Overview

1.One of the largest districts in Marathwada
2.Lacks good Infrastructure facilities
3.Conferred Holy City status due to the presence of Huzur Sahib Gurudwara, one of the five Takhts of Sikhs
4.Good potential in Tourism, Education and Health care sectors
5.Potential to emerge as a strong regional urban center due to inherent strengths

Gur-Ta-Gaddi Tercentenary Celebrations

The tercentenary celebration of Gur-Ta-Gaddi to be celebrated at the Sachkhand Gurudwara at Nanded is of great relevance to the Sikh Community. This involves the remembrance of the 300th year of the consecration of Shri. Guru Govind Singh Maharaj as eternal Guru of Sikh community by Guru Gobind Singhji. The event will also commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Parlok Gaman of Guru Gobind Singhji. The event will be of 8 days duration and will be celebrated in the month of October, 2008. The event will attract estimated pilgrims of 25-30 Lacs from all over the world.

Objective & Purpose

Highlight the Significance of the Gur-Ta-Gaddi Tercentenary Celebrations, October, 2008 – Key development initiator

Develop Nanded as one of the best cities of Marathwada by capitalizing on its strengths

Present the magnitude of scope and scale of the event

Highlight the Status / Requirement of Physical and Fiscal Resources

An insight into development envisaged - Event related and City related

Seek financial support from Central and State Government for development

Guru Gobindsingh ji

Born at Patna Sahib (Bihar) in 1666 A.D., Gobind Rai (the name of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji before initiation to the’ order of the Khalsa) had his early education there and came to settle at Anandpur Sahib (Punjab).

Guru
Gobindsinghji

Life span

Nanded
Refrence


He was only nine years old when he was entrusted to shoulder the heavy responsibilities of Guru ship, after Guru Teg Bahadur Ji Sahib's martyrdom, which he himself had sent to Delhi to oppose the tyranny of the rulers. The Tenth Guru felt the need of strengthening the Indian Nation. He implored his Sikhs to bring with them good quality weapons and horses while coming to see him. He started recruiting the Khalsa Army, equipped it with up-to-date armaments and imparted training of all tactics.
The psychology of the superstitious and slavery stricken people was also to be overhauled. This the Tenth Master achieved by introducing a new form of Baptism, the water used in baptism, instead of being stirred with the Guru's toe, was now to be stirred with Khanda (a double-edged sword), and the Sikhs initiated were to be called SINGHS (Lions) or KHALSA (the Master's own); they were to wear in future the same five signs all beginning with letter "K' - Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (a comb), Kachhera (short drawer), Kara. (An iron bangle) and Kirpan (a sword). The first five who came forward at the call of the Guru, to get new birth, belonged to different parts of the country and totally different castes. They were Bhai Daya Ram Ji, a Khatri of Lahore; Bhai Dharam Dass Ji, a Jat of Hastnapur-Delhi; Bhai Mohkam Chand Ji, a washer man of Dwarka; Bhai Sahib Chand Ji, a barber of Bidar and Bhai Himmat Rai Ji, a water-carrier of Jagannath Puri. After the initiation; all these five SINGHS were described by the Guru as "PYARAS" (his beloveds).

Gurudwara

Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib:
Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib is the principal shrine at Nanded. It marks the site where the Guru had his camp in 1708 A.D. after the departure of the emperor Bahadur Shah.
The tenth Guru held his court and congregation here. It is the site of his own tent where he was convalescing after he was attacked by assasins. It is the place from where the tenth Guru rose to heaven alongwith his horse Dilbag.

"The Eternal Father willed and I raised the Panth. All my Sikhs are hereby ordered to accept the Granth as their Preceptor. Have faith in the holy Granth, as your master and consider it the visible manifestation of the Gurus. He who hath a pure heart will seek guidance from its holy words."

These are the words uttered by the the tenth Guru Sri Gobind Singh, before his death on October 7, 1708 at Nanded in Maharashtra. At the site where the Guru breathed his last, was built a Gurdwara between 1832 and 1837, under instructions from Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It is called "Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchal Nagar Sahib". It is a two-storey building. The architectural design resembles that of the Golden Temple. It's' interior is artistically ornamented in the style of Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar. The walls of the inner room called Angitha Sahib have been covered with golden plates. On the first floor, recitations from Sri Guru Granth Sahib, go on day and night. The dome is polished and on the pinnacle is the kalash made of gold plated copper.
Some of the sacred relics of Guru Gobind Singh are also preserved here. These are, a golden dagger, a matchlock gun, an archer with 35 arrows, two bows, a steel shield studded with precious stones and five golden swords.
This historical shrine is situated on the bank of the Godavari river and is visited by thousands of devotees throughout the year from all over India and abroad. It is one of the five Takhts (thrones) of the Sikhs and is much venerated by them. Here took place in the first week of September, 1708, the conversion to Sikhism of a Bairagi Sadhu Madho Dass, who under a new name of Banda Singh Bahadur, gave a sharp turn to the history of the Sikhs. It was this great hero who in the next seven years (1709-1715) shook the Mughal empire in the north-west to its very foundation and paved the way for the liberation of the Punjab in 1764-65.

The Five Takhts of Sikhism

Takht Location
1 Akal Takht Amritsar (Punjab)
2 Harimandir Saheb Patna (Bihar)
3 Kesgarh Saheb Anandpur (Punjab)
4 Huzur Sahib Nanded (Maharashtra)
5 Damdama Sahib Talwandi Sabo, Bhatinda (Punjab)

Sikh Place of Worship: Gurudwara

A Sikh place of worship is called Gurudwara. Sikhism does not support pilgrimage to holy sites because according to Sikhism, God is everywhere and not in any certain place. But Sikhism has a few important sites, of which, the Hari Mandir, also known as the 'Golden Temple' in Amritsar in Punjab is the most important site and is considered the holiest shrine of Sikhism.

The Sikh religion has five main Takhts or Seats of Power spread all along the Country, which shows the spread and the vastness of the religion

Evolution of Sikhism

Sikhism is the youngest of all religions. Guru Nanak ji founded it in the year 1469. The Sikh religion today has a following of over 20 million people worldwide and is ranked as the worlds 5th largest religion. Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living, equality of mankind and denounces superstitions and blind rituals. Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in the Sikh Holy Book and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

Sikhism has adopted beliefs from Hinduism and Islam. From Islam it adopted the belief in the existence of one invisible God. From Hinduism it adopted the belief in Karma and reincarnation, meaning your actions in this life will decide your fate in the next incarnation. The Sikhs also cremate their dead ones as is done in Hinduism.

Sikhs have played a great role in the Indian History. They have played a key role in defending the country from the Mughals and have also played a major role in the fight against British during the Indian Freedom Struggle.

The tercentenary celebration of Gur-ta-Gaddi (Gur ta Gaddi)

The tercentenary celebration of Gur-ta-Gaddi (Gur ta Gaddi) to be celebrated at the Takhat Sachkhand Gurudwara at Nanded is of great relevance to the Sikh Community. This involves the remembrance of the 300th (Tri Shatabdi) year of the consecration of Guru Granth Sahib as the last guru of Sikh community by Guru Gobind Singhji. The event will also commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Parlok Gaman of Guru Gobind Singhji

GurTaGaddi Project Plan

Takhat Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib is the main Gurudwara situated in Nanded, Maharashtra. It is one of the four High seats of Authority of the Sikhs. Guru Gobind Singh was the 10th and last Guru of the Sikhs who held his court and congregation here. He died in Nanded and his ashes are buried in the Sachkhand Shri Huzur Gurudwara on the side of the river Godavari. It is believed that from Nanded Guru Gobind Singhji rose to heaven along with his horse Dilbag.
The tercentenary celebration of Gur-ta-Gaddi to be celebrated at the Sachkhand Gurudwara at Nanded is of great relevance to the Sikh Community. This involves the remembrance of the 300th year of the consecration of Guru Granth Sahib as the last guru of Sikh community by Guru Gobind Singhji. The event will also commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Parlok Gaman of Guru Gobind Singhji. The event will be of 8 days duration and will be conducted in the month of October 2008. The event will attract estimated pilgrims of 25-30 Lacs from all over the world.