Compared to any other city, Delhi has the largest number of Sikhs. Though their numbers substantially increased in 1947 due to migration from Pakistan yet Sikhs have always been connected with Delhi.
This is probably the only city that has been visited by five gurus, namely Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Hargobind, Guru Harkishan, Guru Teg Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh, out of the 10 Gurus.
Guru Nanak visited Delhi during the rule of Sikandar Lodhi. He camped in a garden on the outskirts of Delhi in the area now known as Sabzi Mandi. Guru Nanak delivered sermons and sang his bani (kirtan) accompanied by Bala and Mardana. Soon a number of people started visiting him regularly. The garden where he was staying soon became a place of pilgrimage. Many would bring gifts for the Guru which he distributed among the poor. Guru Nanak made it a missionary centre.
Many travellers passing through would stay there. The food was regularly given to those who stayed. During the day, Guru Nanak himself would serve water from the well. The owner of the garden donated the land and it became a public shrine in the name of Guru Nanak. Initially called Pau Sahib, it is now known as Gurdwara Nanak Piao.
Most of the historical gurdwaras have one or more sakhis (tales) connected with the gurus. While staying here one day, Guru Nanak saw some people crying bitterly. The Guru went to them and enquired from them the cause of their suffering. They told him that they were weeping because their elephant had died. The Guru told them that they were mistaken. The animal was not dead but merely sleeping. On hearing this, they went near the animal and found that it slowly came to life. They fell at his feet.
The Emperor was told about this and it was reported to him that Nanak was a non-Muslim fakir, equally admired both by Muslims and Hindus, was visited by a number of people. One day, the Emperor’s favourite elephant died and he sent for the Guru. He asked Guru Nanak to bring the animal back to life.
Guru Nanak merely smiled and humbly said he was nobody. Life and death of everybody was in His hands. HE was the true creator and destroyer. It was not given to ordinary human beings like him to interfere with His will. He further observed that whatever happens is according to His will and one should accept and rejoice in His doings. It left the Emperor upset and enraged.
The death anniversary of Guru Nanak is observed at Guru Nanak Piao. Many devotees come and offer their homage there on that day. Gurdwara is situated on the old G. T. Karnal road in the Sabzi Mandi area.
It has an impressive Mughal-style gate. Gurdwara is on a 4/5 feet high platform and has wide parikarama. The interiors of the main hall are very well done and part of the ceiling is in Sheesh Mahal style. Behind the gurdwara is a sarover with beautiful arched veranda on the periphery.
The historic well is still functional and amrit served by the volunteers. The well is covered with a white dome with pillars decorated in rather garishly.
There is a small garden which is in continuance of the garden that existed at that time. There is a separate set of rooms for holding individual akhand paths.
On the right side of the main gate are staff quarters which, for the sake of sanctity and beauty of the place, could have been located elsewhere in the premises. There is still lot of area lying vacant. Proper planning of that could greatly enhance the beauty and ambience of the gurdwara.