Gurdwara Harmandir Sahib
Popularly known as the GOLDEN TEMPLE, this gurdwara is considered the holiest of all. The 5th Guru, Guru Arjun designed it, and the cornerstone was laid by Muslim Sufi Saint Sai Hazrat Mian Mir, in 1588. Guru Arjun completed the Adi Grant and installed it in the gurdwara, which was completed in 1604 and then rebuilt in1764. It has 4 doors, which symbolizes its openness towards all people groups and religions as well. It was in 1764, that Jassa Singh Ahluwalia rebuilt it with the help of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who covered the upper floor of the gurdwara with gold, giving it, its English name and distinctive design, which finished in 1830. The Operation Blue Star, came as a big event in the history of Sikhs and this gurdwara as well. The Operation, led by the Indian Army, on the orders of the then PM, Ms. Indira Gandhi, which resulted in the heavy loss on both sides, as well as the destruction of the HOLY AKAL TAKHT and later within 6 months she was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards. The Akal Takht was completed in 1999, by the Kav-Shevaks. The Gurdwara also has a Sarovar, which is said to be Amrit Water. A Sikh mostly makes a visit to this Gurdwara once during their lifetime, particularly during birthdays, marriages, etc. Vaisakhi is celebrated with much enthusiasm, along with the anniversaries of the Guru’s and their martyrdom as well.
One of the 5 highest Sikh institutions in India, it’s the city’s main Sikh Shrine. Its foundations were laid in 1689/99 and it was here that KHALSA was born. It is one of the ‘5 Takhts’ or the Seats of Authority of the Sikhs. Also the gurdwara is the home for many historical relics, which belonged to Guru Gobind; Actual Khanda (double-edged sword) (which the Guru used to prepare amrit on the revelation of Khalsa Day) Kataar (Gobind’s personal dagger) A Saif (double-edged weapon, presented by the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah A Beautiful Gun (presented to Guru Sahib by one of the Sikhs from Lahore)
The Gurdwara marks the burial of the two younger sons of the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. It was here that Sahibzada Fateh Singh and Sahibzada Zorawar Singh were entombed, while still alive, in 1705, on the orders of the Governor of Sirhind, Wazir Khan.
One of the ‘5 Takhts’ or the Seats of Authority of the Sikhs, where the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, prepared the full version of the Sikh scriptures, called the Guru Granth Sahib in 1705.
Here the 9th Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, rested while proceeding towards Delhi, only to embrace martyrdom at the hands of the Mughal’s, in order to uphold men’s right to worship in accordance to his beliefs and not by force or someone else’s opinions.
It is believed that, Guru Nanak used to take bath in the Bein River and then meditate and stayed here for 14 years 9 months and 13 days. He is said to have disappeared for 3 days, while bathing in the river and upon returning enlightened, he set on his mission to preach Sikhism and also planted a Ber tree.
GURDWARA SRI BER SAHIB
(Sultanpur Lodhi town of Kapurthala Dist., Punjab) Locate on Map
GURDWARA BABA ATAL SAHIB
(Amritsar, Punjab) Locate on Map
Situated south of the Golden Temple, this nine-story octagonal tower, which is 40m’s high, is the tallest building in Amritsar, although often gets over-shadowed by the extreme popularity of the Golden temple. Originally a Samadhi, enshrining the remains of Baba Atal Rai, son of Guru Hargobind (6th Guru), it was later transformed into a gurdwara. It’s said that Baba Atal, at the tender age of 9, performed a miracle, by reviving his dead friend back to life, however, Guru Hargobind condemned him for have broken the law of nature, to which he responded by going into a meditative trance and soon breathed his last, for having broken the law of nature.
