Dedicated
to the first Sikh Guru Sri Nanak Dev, Gurdwara Nanak Piao was built at
the site, in the garden where he camped when he visited Delhi in 1505
during the reign of Sultan Sikander Shah Lodhi. It is situated on Rana
Pratap Road. It is said that people flocked to the revered prophet and
offered him and his bard Mardana with precious gifts and offerings. Guru
Nanak used to distribute all these offerings to the poor and needy.
Besides these, he used to offer food and water to the hungry and
thirsty, hence the name of the shrine. One can still see the well from
which Guru Nanak served water in the shrine. According to an interesting legend, during Guru Nanak's visit to Delhi, Sikander Lodhi came to know that Guru had revived a dead elephant and won the admiration of both the Hindu and Muslim divines of Delhi. Thus, he sent a call to him to revive the one of his royal elephants that had died but the Guru refused to do so. The haughty ruler imprisoned him. While in prison, Guru Nanak's kindness and virtuosity won the hearts of the prison officials. During the same time, a great earthquake shook the capital on July 3, 1505 and people thought that it was due to the curse of Nanak who was thrown into prison. Thus, Nanak was released.
