From Mecca Medina to Iran and Baluchistan
Although, the dominating Muslim population of Mecca and Medina does not accept that Guru Nanak
visited these places, there is ample evidence in Sikh literature to show that Guru Nanak had visited this place
along with his companion Bhai Mardana in 1519. Bhai Gurdas ji, Sikh Scholar, contemporary of immediate
successors of Guru Nanak has made a mention of this visit in his first vaar 32nd Paori in the following words.
Donning blue attire then Baba Nanak went to Mecca.
However, as the non Muslims are not allowed to build any religious place of their own, there is no
gurdwara at present to mark the visit of the great Guru. Iran is another country which is supposed to have
been visited by Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji. Earlier, a number of places were identified with Guru Nanak’s stay
during his visit to Iran. However now there are only 2 Gurdwaras which are functional and are visited by
the local Sikh sangat and other devotees. One of these Gurdwaras is situated in Tehran, capital of Iran. This
Gurdwara is so important that it was visited by Shri Atal Bihari Vajpai, and then by Dr. Manmohan Singh
with his wife and also Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016. It is stated that this Gurdwara was founded
in 1941 by Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha Teheran. Religious celebrations observed here include morning and
evening prayers, Guru-Ka-Langar every Friday and after the Akhand Path. Community services include
establishment of a school, where teaching of Punjabi and Dharmik (Divinity) forms an integral part of the
curriculum. There are about 800 members of the Sikh community in the area.
