A Gurudwara (Punjabi: गुर्द्वार, gurduārā or गुरदवारा, gurdvārā, Teacher's door) is a Sikh temple, meditation and prayer center where the text of the Sikh holy book Guru Granth Sahib is recited. There is usually a water channel around the building, or it is built directly as an island in the middle of a huge pool. It is often connected with a hostel for pilgrims, where non-believers can stay for free, but the maximum stay is 3 days. At the same time, communal ritual food, mostly lentils and pancakes, is also served here for free. The most important gurudwara is the Golden Temple in Amritsar, which is called Harmandir Sahib. The second largest and perhaps the second most important is the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara in Delhi. It is strictly forbidden to eat meat, smoke or drink any alcoholic beverages in the entire gurudwara facility. The gurudwara is generally entered with the head covered (scarves are placed in front of the entrance for this purpose) and without shoes.
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is one of the most important Sikh gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship) in Delhi, India, and is known for its association with the eighth Sikh guru, Guru Har Krishna, as well as for the sacred pool within the complex, the sarovar. It was originally a bungalow belonging to Raj Jai Singh I, converted into a small shrine by Amber Baghel Singh. Nine Sikh shrines were rebuilt in Delhi that same year.