All About Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is one of the most revered and important attractions of Leh Ladakh. It is located approximately 23 km from the city of Leh and falls on the Nimoo-Leh road. This Gurudwara is known to be an important pilgrim spot because it was the resting place of Guru Nanak Dev on his trip to Punjab after covering places like Tibet, Nepal, and Sikkim. The importance of this gurudwara is more among the visitors because it houses a rock with the imprints of Guru Nanak Dev’s back. The gurudwara was constructed after a joint venture of Lamas, monks, and the Indian army. It is not wrong to say that this attraction has a long and strong history.
People who visit Ladakh, do take a quick trip to this amazing place seeking blessings from the Lord. It was believed that the rock and its history got lost in time but after several years when the Indian army started constructing the road connecting Nimmoo with Leh, this rock came into the limelight. And with that, the construction of Gurudwara was done.
History of Pathar Sahib Gurudwara
According to the history of Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, when Guru Nanak Dev was returning to Punjab after visiting Sikkim, Tibet, and Nepal- he stopped to rest for a few days at the place which is now named Phey. Upon his arrival, the locals got learning and preachings from Guru Devji. They requested he finds out a way to end the terror of the demon who lived on the other side of the hill.
They told Guruji that the demon has been feeding on the people of that village for ages. He killed and ate them whenever he pleased. After listening to all the things that the locals had to say, Guruji told them not to worry. He went to the riverside and started preaching about god. This agitated the demon and he attacked Guruji with a boulder. The rock which he kicked got his feet impression and it also has the impression of Guruji’s back. This happened in the 15th Century but the construction of the Gurudrawa in the 1970s.
Rebirth of the imprinted rock
After the event in the 15th century, the legend, as well as the rock, were lost in time until now. In the 1970s, when the Indian government asked the army and BRO to construct a road from Nimoo to Leh, it had to go through Phey where the rock was located. In a hustle to move the boulder, a lot of attempts were made, all of them being futile. After the monks and Lamas stopped the army to destroy the rock, they decided to create a Gurudwara around the rock. And this is how Pathar Sahib Gurudwara was constructed.
Opening and closing time of Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
If you want to visit here, you will have to be there between 6 am and 7 pm. Gurudwara remains open throughout the year all days a week. If you are planning on visiting this gurudwara then prepare an itinerary for the day so that you not only visit here but also the attractions around this place. It would be better if you start your day with offering your praise to the Lord at this temple.
How to reach Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
The Gurudwara is approximately 23 km from Leh city. If you are traveling on the Srinagar-Leh highways, you can easily visit this religious place while heading to Leh. The distance wouldn’t matter much because the road throughout the terrain is quite impressively constructed and maintained. When you visit Gurudwara there is just a small passage throughout the road where you will find a bit of a tampered road.
Best time to visit Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
The best time to visit Patharsahib Gurudwara is between May and August when the temperature is comforting and the skies are clear. And if you are wanting to understand the best time to visit Pathar Sahib Gurudwara in a day, then you will have to follow the timings.
Places to visit near Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
One of the best things about Pathar Sahib Gurudwara is that you do not only visit here to enjoy the attraction. And by this, we do not mean to incline you towards the nearby beauty of the place. It’s true that the surroundings of the gurudwara are simply breathtaking. But if you are creating your itinerary keeping this gurudwara as your center of the day then we have a few other places that you can club while visiting here.
- Phyang Monastery
- Magnetic Hill
- Basgo Gompa
- Thiksey Monastery
- Hemis Monastery
- Spituk Monastery
- Diskit Gompa
- Lamayuru Monastery
What are the activities to do around Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
- Take blessings from the lord
- Enjoy photography and videography
- Attend the Langar
- Enjoy taking a short trek nearby
Mobile Networks at Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
The mobile networks are poor around the Gurudwara. That’s the thing throughout Ladakh. Wherever you get signals they are feeble and if internet connections are up you can only enjoy 2G speed. Isn’t that a common thing in Ladakh? Even though the union territory is developing at a fast pace network connections are still a problem here. Some of it is because of national security reasons whereas the other is because of the landscapes.
Best Hotels to Stay near Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
- Skiltang Heritage farm stay
- Leh Stumpa
- The Grand Dragon Ladakh
- Himalayan Bunker
- White House Bnb Leh
- Hotel Ladakh Palace Boutique
- Jeevanam Villa Leh
Things to keep in mind when visiting here
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is a beautiful and historic destination that offers a unique glimpse into the Sikh culture and religion. By keeping these things in mind, you can ensure a respectful and meaningful visit to this special place.
- It’s important to stay hydrated while visiting Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time exploring the area. Be sure to carry enough drinking water with you.
- Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is a place of worship, and visitors are expected to respect the religious customs and practices of the gurudwara.
- Avoid taking photos or videos during religious ceremonies or prayers.
- Gurudwara Pathar Sahib has a rich history, and visitors are encouraged to learn about the story behind the gurudwara. This will help you appreciate the significance of the gurudwara and its place in the local culture.
- Visitors are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the gurudwara. This includes not smoking, drinking, or taking drugs on the premises.
- Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is a place of worship, and visitors are expected to dress modestly and respectfully.
Conclusion
Although the entirety of Ladakh is an amazing destination, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the attraction of this union territory is a completely new world in itself. So when you plan to visit any of these attractions make sure that you are not missing out the fun, mates, activities, stories related to the attraction, and other integral parts because all of them together would give you a complete picture of this place.
This goes without saying that Ladakh is a highly rich place when it comes to culture.
Read Also: Shanti Stupa | Leh Palace
