The Golden Temple

The Golden Temple, located at the city of Amritsar is a symbol of the principles of Sikhism. It is one of the important pilgrimage sites in India and is a must visit place in any north India pilgrimage. Traditionally known as The Harmandir Sahib meaning the temple of Hari or the Supreme God, it is known for its beautiful architecture. Sikh pilgrimage is considered incomplete without a visit to this magnificent temple.

The Golden TempleThe exterior of the temple, which stands in the middle of a square tank, is gold-plated. To reach the Temple one must go through the Pool of Nectar. It is unique in the sense that it has doorways on all four sides, meant to be open for the people of the all four castes.

The temple's design is said to have been borrowed from the shrine of Saint Mian Mir, near Lahore, which was then reconstructed by Ranjit Singh. Its splendid architecture, considered to be a combination of both Hindu and Muslim influences, is all the more beautiful with traditional carvings. It was built to create one of the central places of worship in India for the Sikhs.

After approving the design, Guru Arjan Dev laid the foundation of The Golden Temple in 1588. His followers settled down nearby and the town of Ramdaspur was born. Later, its name was changed to Amritsar as the Hari Mandir was in the center of a holy pond or the Amrit Sarovar.

Guru Nanak lived and meditated by the side of this holy pond. Originally it was a small pond in the midst of a forest. After his death, this was enlarged as devotees continued to throng the place of this philosopher saint. The Sikhs were involved in protecting both their religion and their temple against the Muslims. Inspite of the ruins on the invasion of Muslim armies the Sikhs managed to rebuild it. After 1767, the Sikhs became strong enough to tackle invaders. The temple regained its peace.

The holy tank was planned by Guru Amar Das but its construction was under the supervision of Baba Budhaji. The native zamindars donated land free of cost for the site of the temple. Amritsar was the spiritual capital of the first Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The temple was further beautified with the embossed plates being gilded with precious stones. Also, the pietra dura was renewed and the ceilings were embellished with the mirror and floral designs.

Amidst the temple is the Adi Granth, which has the scriptures of the Sikhs. Placed on a jewel-studded platform it has a collection of devotional poem, prayers and hymns composed by all the ten Sikh gurus and also various Hindu and Muslim saints. Pilgrims bathe in the holy water to cleanse themselves of their souls rather than their bodies. There are several temple dormitories around the temple for free lodging including dining halls where people of any community, race or gender are given free food.

Amritsar is a city in itself, always growing and the Golden Temple adds to its pride with its divine sanctity. The majestic temple shines, with the gilded splendor of its paneling, dome and minarets shining in the morning light, royally shadowed in the holy water with the background of the city of Amritsar. The Sikh community regard the Harmandir Sahib Gurdwara Golden Temple as the final spiritual "vision"; where journey's end or begin and is one of the must visit holy Sikh pilgrimagesites for every other community too.

Hemkund Sahib

The Hemkund Sahib, at an altitude of 4329 meters is the highest shrine in the world. It is on the banks of a glacier lake called Lokpal, with crystal clear water. It is one of the most important places of worship in India and significant for Hindu and Sikh pilgrims of as a Sikh Gurudwara and a Laxman Temple is built on the banks of the river. People of other faiths also visit this place in large numbers, as it is one of the holy North India pilgrimage sites.

Hemkund SahibThe Hemkund Sahib can be reached in four to six hours from Ghangharia. The lake is surrounded on all the four sides with snow peaked mountains and glaciers that reflect the purity of the crystal clear waters. Water of the lake comes from the glaciers in the peaks Hathi Parvat and Saptrishi and a small stream named Himganga flows down the lake.

The holy Granth Sahib states that Guru Govind Singh, the tenth guru of the Sikhs meditated on the banks of this lake only, in one of his earlier births. It is believed that he only introduced the principles of the faith of the Sikhs that is universal. On 15th April, 1699 he began the brotherhood of Khalsa (meaning pure) with the inner core of the faithful accepted by baptism.

Regarded as one of the pious Sikh pilgrimage sites, the Hemkund Sahib illustrates Guru Govind Singh’s first visit during his return from Kurukshetra. The Guru was attacked by Raja Ajmer Chand along with two Mughal rulers namely Sayyed Beg and Alaf Khan but was beaten up in the end. The Guru’s charisma and his personality were so admired by the Mughal General that he became his devotee.

The fives K’s date from this period only kesh (uncut hair) kangha (comb), kirpan (dagger or short sword), kara (steel bangle), and kachh (boxer shorts). The primary K among others is the uncut hair. The comb is designated to be specially of wood. The dagger and the shorts show the military influence and the bangle as a form of charm.

It is believed that Lakshmana, the younger brother of Ram meditated on this lake and recuperated after getting wounded severely by the demon Ravana’a son, Meghnath during the battle. Despite its ancient connections Hemkund or Lokpal was said to have been discovered by a Sikh Havaldar and Solan Singh. It became one of the major pilgrimage sites in India, after 1930 only.

Damdama Sahib Tour

Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, one of the Five Takhts or Seat of Temporal Authority of Sikhism, is located at Bathinda in Punjab. Damdama means breathing place. In 1705, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, prepared the text of the Sikh Scriptures called Sri Guru Granth Sahib. So, it is an important pilgrimage site in North India.

Damdama-SahibThis shrine of Damdama Sahib illustrates the earlier visit of Guru Gobind Singh here, during his return from Kurukshetra. Raja Ajmer Chand along with two Mughal rulers namely Sayyed Beg and Alaf Khan suddenly attacked the Guru but were beaten up in the end. The Guru's charisma and his personality was so admired by the Mughal General that he became his devotee.

On 20-21 January 1706, Guru Gobind Singh arrived at Talwandi Sabo and stayed outside the village. Talwandi Sabo is also known as Guru Ki Kashi meaning a great learning centre. Gurudwara Sri Damdama Sahib marks the place of his stay. Native Chaudhari Bhai Dalla attended to, the Guru with great devotion. He refused to arrest the Guru as ordered by the Nawab of Sirhind, Wazir Khan. Bhai Mani Singh escorted Mata Sundri and Mata Sahib Kaur came here from Delhi to meet Guruji. Guruji spent nine months in intense literary activities.

Guru Gobind Singh, after fighting battles against the Mughals stayed here. Wazir Khan killed the guru's younger sons, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, aged 9 and 7 respectively. So now, the place is known as Fatehgarh Sahib. At Chamkaur Sahib, his two elder sons, Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh laid down their lives on fighting the Mughal forces.

Guru Gobind Singh was victorious in the battle at Muktsar, after which he moved towards Talwandi Sabo. It is the place where, Bhai Mani Singh prepared the holy granth under the guidance of Guruji. Thus Talwandi became a centre of learning and came to be known as Guru Ki Kashi.

Chaudhari Tiloka and Rama, ancestors of the Pulkian (Patiala, Nabha and Jind) rulers received Amni from the blessed hands of the Guru. Sacred articles of the tenth Guru Sri Sahib (Sword), a mirror, a match lock, a portrait of the tenth Guru, a pothi (book) transcribed by Baba Deep Singh, Sword of Baba Deep Singh and a Persian sword are displayed in the Gurudwara Damdama Sahib. The other places of worship at Talwandi Sabo are, Jand Sahib, Tibbi Sahib, Likhansar and Gurusar.

Wada Darbar Sahib and Gurusar, the two Gurdwaras in memory of the ninth Guru Sri Tegh Bahadur are also there. Guru Gobind Singh came to Talwandi Sabo at the request of a devoted follower, Bhai Dala who was the Chief of Brar jats of Ma!wa area. He stayed there for over nine months during which the place was transformed into abode of the Khalsa and became another Anandpur.

From then on it has been a major Sikh pilgrimage site. Now called Damdama Sahib, it was here the Guru preached complete sacrifice of personal and family interests at the altar of the good of mankind. It is said that one day Guru Gobind flung a handful of reed pens over the heads of the congregation saying: ";Here we will create a pool of literature. No one of my Sikhs should remain illiterate." The Guru completed the Damdame Wali Bir as it is sometimes called, here only which was transcribed by Bhai Mani Singh. Hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh, the ninth Guru and Father of Guru Gobind Singh was added to the Bir.

Anandpur Sahib Tour

Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh, the ninth guru of the followers for Sikhism found the town of Anandpur on June 19, 1665. Being the birthplace of Sikhism, it is one of the five holiest places of worship in India of the Sikhs. The day after Holi, Hola Mohalla festival is celebrated at Anandpur Sahib and the martial splendour of Khalsa under their great Guru is relived. Pilgrims, from India and abroad throng to catch a glimpse and also take part in the festival with gaiety.

Anandpur SahibGuru Sahib laid the foundation of one of these Sikh pilgrimage sites of Anandpur Sahib. Now Anandpur Sahib, Chakk Nanaki and a few adjoining villages nearby namely Sahota, Lodipur, Agampur, Matoa etc form part of the town of Anandpur. Also, it is the place where Guru Tegh Bahadur's head was cremated after he died as a martyr in Chandni Chowk in 1675. It was brought from Anandpur by Bhai Jaita from Delhi. In 1699 the Khalsa panth was founded by Guru Gobind Singh on Baisakhi Day.

The route from Anandpur to Bhattha Sahib, near Ropar has the scene of Khalsa flags furling everywhere. It reminds everyone of the stories of the state of Guru Sahib where many Sikhs laid their lives. Also known as Guruji's Land, the whole region has become immortal with the remembrance of Guru Sahib, their families and the Sikh martyrs. Guru Sahib abandoned Anandpur with the intention of securing Bilaspur state. But presently Bilaspur does not exist .It is fifty feet below the water of the lake named after Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. Anandpur Sahib, otherwise known as The City of Bliss is 45 kms from Ropar on the left bank of the river Sutluj. It is known for its famous pilgrimage sites in India in the form of historical gurudwara's. The town gained importance with the construction of Bhakra and Nangal projects. It was also well connected by road and rail and at a distance of from 80 kms from Chandigarh. Foreign tourists frequently visit this historical site, which is one of the most pious Sikh pilgrimage sites, well within reach of important cities such as Chandigarh. The Punjab Government is taking special initiatives to woo tourists and make Anandpur, a hotspot destination.

Sikh Pilgrimage Sikh Pilgrimage

• The Golden Temple
• Hemkund Sahib
• Damdarna Sahib
• Anandpur Sahib