Gurudwara Gurubagh Sahib is located in the historic city of Varanasi, earlier known as Banaras. Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited the city in 1507 during his first Udasi (missionary journey). He arrived on the day of Shivratri and chose to rest in a lush, peaceful garden.

While seated there, Bhai Mardana Ji asked Guru Ji about the owner of the garden. Guru Nanak Dev Ji replied that God is the true owner of all creation, but the person entrusted with this space would naturally appear. He asked Mardana to play the rabab. Mardana played so beautifully that people nearby were drawn in by the divine music.

Among those who came was Pandit Gopal Shastri, a renowned priest of Kashi and caretaker of the garden. Deeply moved by the spiritual atmosphere, he bowed before Guru Ji. Guru Ji lifted him gently. Observing Guru Ji’s simplicity and lack of traditional Hindu symbols—no Shaligram, Tulsi beads, rosary, or forehead mark—Pandit Gopal wondered how such a man worshipped. Guru Ji then asked Mardana to play again and recited a Shabad explaining that the true Shaligram is God’s Name and the real garland is righteous action. Worship, he explained, is not found in symbols, but in sincere remembrance and good deeds.

News of Guru Ji’s presence spread quickly, gaining him admiration across the city. Around the same time, a proud scholar named Chatur Das arrived in Varanasi. Well-known for his knowledge and ego, he was disturbed by Guru Ji’s growing popularity and intended to challenge him in debate. Though impressed by Guru Ji’s grace, his pride remained. He expressed a desire to resolve his doubts. Guru Ji, knowing his mindset, told him that the answers to his questions would be provided by a dog.

The dog, Guru Ji revealed, had once been a learned but arrogant priest named Ganga Ram, who had been cursed due to his pride. When Chatur Das brought the dog, Guru Ji called to it, and before the amazed gathering, the dog transformed back into a human.

Ganga Ram shared that in his previous life he often debated others to humiliate them. When a saint refused to argue with him, he provoked the saint repeatedly. Finally, the saint, irritated, had likened his behavior to barking. Those words turned into a curse, and he was reborn as a dog. Only Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s divine grace had freed him from that form.

Witnessing this miracle, Chatur Das felt deeply ashamed. He asked Guru Ji how to distinguish between good and bad deeds. Guru Ji recited the Mool Mantar and verses from Slok Sehaskriti, emphasizing that true devotion lies in truthful living, humility and remembrance of the Creator—not in rituals or pride.

After receiving Guru Ji’s blessings, Ganga Ram peacefully left his body and attained salvation. Pandit Gopal Shastri, overwhelmed by the transformation of the place, declared that the garden, sanctified by Guru Ji’s presence, no longer belonged to him—it was Guru Ji’s. From that day, the site became known as Gurudwara Gurubagh Sahib.