Gurudwara Aarti Sahib stands as a powerful tribute to Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s visit to Jagannath Puri in 1508 during his first Udasi. Accompanied by Bhai Mardana Ji, Guru Ji reached the sacred city, where his spiritual presence was not initially recognized. Mistaken for a Muslim due to his attire, he was denied entry into the Jagannath Temple.

Undeterred, Guru Ji sat by the seashore and entered deep meditation. In a moment remembered as divine intervention, a mysterious figure appeared with food and water served in golden utensils. That same night, King Pratap Rudra Dev dreamt that Lord Jagannath had commanded him to pause the temple’s Aarti and seek out the saint singing by the sea. The king, upon witnessing Guru Nanak Dev Ji in meditation the next morning, recognized his spiritual greatness and welcomed him with deep reverence.

Later, when invited to attend the traditional temple Aarti, Guru Ji chose not to partake in ritual worship. Instead, he sat beneath the open sky near a Banyan tree within the temple premises and sang the Aarti in Raag Dhanasari—now enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib. Through this cosmic vision of worship, Guru Ji redefined Aarti: the sky became the platter, the sun and moon the lamps, stars the pearls, and the wind the waving fan—expressing that all of creation sings the glory of the One Formless Lord.

Despite the spiritual significance of this moment, no Sikh memorial existed in Puri for over 500 years. In 2007, following a meeting at Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, a Hukamnama was issued entrusting Baba Shamsher Singh Ji with the responsibility of establishing Gurudwara Aarti Sahib and reviving Sikh traditions at other historical sites in the region. A plot of land was acquired at Balia Panda, near the Puri seashore, and within a year the Gurudwara was constructed. It was inaugurated on 4 April 2010 by the Jathedar of Takhat Sri Patna Sahib.

Since then, Gurudwara Aarti Sahib has become a spiritual landmark, drawing Sangat from around the world. It stands as a testament to Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s universal message of divine unity, inner devotion and the oneness of creation.