- Anandpur
Sahib
Anandpur Sahib-the holy City of Bliss-is one of the most important
sacred places of the Sikhs and is closely linked with their
religious traditions and history. It is located on the lower spurs
of the Himalayas surrounded by picturesque natural scenery, with the
river Satluj forming a shimmering and shiny blue border on the south
west barely four miles away. So far as the historical significance
of Anandpur Sahib is concerned, it is second only to Amritsar, the
city of Golden Temple.
- Damdama
Sahib
This shrine consecrates the memory of an earlier visit of Guru
Gobind Singh to the place in course of his return from Kurukshetra.
Here Raja Ajmer Chand together with two Mughals, Sayyed Beg and Alaf
Khan made a surprise attack on the Guru but was badly beaten back.
The Mughal General was so impressed by the charismatic personality
of the Guru that he became his devotee.
- The
Golden Temple or
Darbar
Sahib
The Golden Temple or Darbar Sahib, situated in Amritsar, Punjab, is
the most sacred temple for Sikhs. It is a symbol of the magnificence
and strength of the Sikh people all over the world. In the evolution
of the Darbar Sahib, is entwined the history and ideology of
Sikhism. In its architecture are included, symbols associated with
other places of worship. This is an example of the spirit of
tolerance and acceptance that the Sikh philosophy propounds.
- Patna
Sahib
The Sikhs consider the city of Patna as particularly holy, as the
tenth guru of the Sikhs was born here. It was here that Guru Gobind
Singh was born in the year 1666 and spent his early years before
moving to Anandpur. Besides being the birthplace of Guru Gobind
Singh, Patna was also honoured by visits from Guru Nanak as well as
Guru Tegh Bahadur.
- Hemkund
Sahib
The high altitude Lokpal lake, known as Hemkund ( 4329 mts.) lies
in heavenly environs. A steep trek from Ghangharia leads one to this
spot in about four to six hours. It is an important pilgrimage for
both Hindus and Sikhs, as well as for people from other faiths.
There is a Sikh Gurudwara and a Lakshman temple built on the bank of
the lake. Encircled by seven snow clad peaks and their associated
glaciers, it reflects its surroundings enchantingly on its crystal
clear serene waters. The glaciers from Hathi Parvat and Saptrishi
peaks feed the lake and a small stream called Himganga flows out of
this lake.
- Sri Akal Takht
Akal Takht literally means Eternal Throne. It is part of the Golden
Temple complex in Amritsar. The Akal Takht is situated on the other
end of the causeway connected to the Harmandir Sahib. Its foundation
was laid by Guru Hargobind. It was here that he was ceremonially
installed as Guru in 1606. The building of the Akal Takht opposite
the Golden Temple has a special meaning.
- Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib
Keshgarh Sahib is situated at Anandpur. It is considered the
birthplace of the Khalsa. The Khalsa order was founded here by Guru
Gobind Singh in 1699. Some of the weapons of Guru Gobind Singh are
displayed here. The most precious of these is the actual Khanda
(double edged sword) used by Guru Gobind Singh to prepare the amrit
(sweet water) used in the first Khalsa initiation ceremony.
- Takht Sri Hazur Sahib
Hazur Sahib is on the banks of Godavari in Maharashtra. This is
where Guru Gobind Singh left this world. The inner room of the
temple is called Angitha Sahib and is built over the place where
Guru Gobind Singh was cremated in 1708.
The other temples of Sikhs |
