:: Gurudwara in & Around Amritsar

THE HARIMANDIR SAHIB ::
Sri Harimandir Sahib , (now called the Golden Temple Amritsar), is a living symbol of spiritual and historical traditions of the Sikhs. The Holy tank and the temple have been a source of inspiration to the Sikh community ever since their foundation. The foundation of Sri Harimandir Sahib is the most significant achievement of the Sikh Gurus as a centre of inspiration and action for the Sikhs. Soon after its foundation the temple became an unparalleled establishment as a place of pilgrimage. The origin of the place where Sri Harimandir Sahib stands is shrouded in mystery. Some traditions trace its origin from the pre-historic period as a place of considerable religious importance in the form of an Amrit Kund (Spring of Nectar).
Legends and miracles are connected with the origin of the Amrit Sarowar (Tank of Nectar). Sri Guru Amar Das Jee found at the edge of the pool the desired herb to cure the skin ailment of Guru Angad (the second Guru of the Sikhs). However, the persistent local tradition best highlighting the medicinal properties of the water of the pond is the story of Rajni, daughter of Rai Duni Chand, a Kardar (revenue collector) of Patti, and the subsequent cure of her leprous husband after taking a dip into the pond.
The tank was named Amar Sarowar or Amritsar. The fame of the sacred tank led to its identity with the latter appellation and the city got its final name 'Amritsar'.
Sri Harimandir Sahib got the name of Golden Temple when its upper part sheathed in richly embossed and highly gilded sheets was covered with gold all around it during the period of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Maharaja Ranjit Singh granted rupees 5 lakhs for placing golden plates on Sri Harimandir Sahib in I803. It is evident from the inscription on the gold plate engraved over the entrance gate on the north-eastern side of the central shrine that the gold service of the temple was got done by Maharaja Ranjit Singh through the supervision of Bhai Sant Singh Giani in 1830. Bhai Sant Singh Giani appointed Mohammad Yar Khan Mistri as technical expert for the task of gold-plating. The greater part of the architectural structure of the present building of Sri Harimandir Sahib was constructed and decorated in the nineteenth century. The architecture of the Golden Temple represents the highest achievement of the Sikhs in art and architecture. The allied arts of decoration, naqashi and frescoes inside the temple display the skilled craftsmanship of the Indian artists of the nineteenth century. No building in the world can vie with the Golden Temple where nature and art have been treated in such a harmonious blending so beautifully.
The Golden Temple (also called Sri Darbar Sahib) is not only a place of worship but a rallying centre of the Sikh community. Sri Harmandir Sahib is the heritage of the Sikh people gathered in their five hundred years old history. Legends and miracles are connected with the holy tank while great martyrdoms and triumphs are associated with various spots of the temple precincts. The temple had been a symbol of the Sikh struggle for independence in the eighteenth century. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries all important Sikh movements have been led from the precincts of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple).

SRI AKAL TAKHAT ::
Adjacent to Sri Harmandir sahib (Golden Temple, Amritsar), is the marble paved square facing the Darshni­ Deorhi. On the opposite side of the marble square stands Sri Akal Takht, which is regarded as the supreme seat of Sikh religious authority. It was constructed by the sixth Guru Sri Hargobind in 1609. It is also called as Akal Bunga, the house of the Lord. Sri Akal Takhat Sahib is repository of the various weapons used by Sikh Gurus and heroes. These weapons are ceremoniously displayed every evening to the congregation of devotees. Sri Akal Takht Sahib being the holiest of holy seats of the Sikhs, was used for a special purpose which considerably changed the Sikh character and organization. The sixth Guru himself sat here and held a court of justice. Many Sikhs gathered here for the redressal of their grievances. Offerings were made to the Guru.
The Hukamnama issued by Jathedar of Akal Takht is binding on all Sikhs. Even Maharaja Ranjit Singh had to bow before the orders of the Jathedar of the Akal Takht. During the Misal period after the death of Guru Gobind Singh and before the rise of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Gurmata used to be passed by Sarbat Khalsa at Akal Takht for the protection of the country from the invaders.

GURUDWARA BABA ATAL - AMRITSAR ::
Gurdwara Baba Atal has been raised in the revered memory of Guru Hargobind’s 9 year old Sahibzada Baba Atal Rai. It is situated in Amritsar. The child was the personification of something wondrous. Through a miracle Baba Atal Rai once revived a dead child. Guru Hargobind was convinced that Sikh religion did not believe in any kind of miracle and that it was an uncalled for interference in the ways of god and the cosmic system. The Guru, therefore, felt annoyed with his son. To atone for the intervention in the divine ways, the child left for his heavenly abode. It is at the point of the terrestrial exist of Baba Atal Rai that a nine storeys Gurdwara symbolic of his 9 years of exisatence was constructed. It is known as Baba Atal

GURUDWARA RAMSAR SAHIB - AMRITSAR ::
Among the other famous historical shrines located in the city of Amritsar is the Gurudwara Ramsar Sahib situated on the bank of the pool of the same name. Located north-east from the Golden Temple, this place is, where Guru Arjun Dev for a year or more went into seclusion along with his scribe, the great savant Bhai Gurdas to compile the holy Adi Granth. The sacred volume was completed in 1604 and installed with due honor and ceremonies in the Harmandir Sahib. In this holy book, Guru Arjun Dev collected the hymns of first four Gurus, namely Guru Nanak Dev Jee, Guru Angad Dev Jee, Guru Amar Das Jee, Guru Ram Das Jee and adding his own compositions as well as selections from the writings of the Hindu and Muslim mystic saints.
This holy Adi Granth was arranged according to the musical measures or notes in which they were intended to be sung. The holy book was given the status of the Guru by Guru Gobind Singh. Just before he left for his abode in heaven on October 7, 1708, in his wisdom he proclaimed, "Accept Guru Granth Sahib as the visible image of the Guru. Those whose hearts are pure can find the truth in the shabad". This was the last injunction to the Sikhs of the Tenth Guru. He put an end to apostolic succession and enjoined upon the Sikhs to look upon the Granth Sahib as their only Guru in future. There lies the importance of the place where this sacred volume was compiled by Guru Arjun Dev. Gurudwara Ramsar is held in great reverence by the Sikhs.
Gurudwara Ramsar Sahib stands on the bank of the Ramsar sarovar, near Chativind Gate, on the southeastern side of the walled city. After the completion of the Harimandar, Guru Arjan undertook the compilation of Adi Granth, the Holy Book, now revered as Guru Granth Sahib. For this task, he chose a se-cluded site. The spot selected was then a shady nook, one km away from the bustle of the town. To make the surroundings more agreeable, he had a tank dug which was named Ramsar after Guru Ram Das. Here, Guru Arjan composed his famous Sukhmani Sahib , the Psalm of Peace, and with Bhai Gurdas as his scribe compiled the Adi Granth during 1603-04. The present Gurdwara Ramsar, a small marble-lined hall topped by a gilded, fluted lotus dome built in 1855, marks the site of the Guru's labours.

GURUDWARA BABA BAKALA DISTT. AMRITSAR ::
The historical shrine at Baba Bakala is associated with an important event in Sikh history. Here Makhan Shah Lubana declared from house top that he had found the true Guru. It may be recalled that before his death at Delhi on March30, 1664 Guru Harkrishan Jee mumbled feebly 'Baba Bakala', thereby meaning that his successor was to be found at Bakala village in Amritsar. On that day, the only Baba at Bakala was Baba Tegh Bahadur and none else. But many imposters tried to grab the Guru Gaddi by posing themselves as the real Guru. Credit goes to Makhan Shah Lubana, a banjara trader from Jhelum district, for discovering the Guru. It is said that a ship carrying his goods was caught up in a storm. His life and goods were in great danger. Helplessly, he knelt down and prayed to God and Guru Nanak for safety. He vowed that if by the grace of Guru he landed at the nearest port safely, he would donate five hundred dinars to the Guru for charitable purposes.
As good luck would have it, his ship steered safely of the wild storm. He felt that his life and goods were saved by the grace of the Guru. The first thing he did was to fulfill his vow. But on reaching Baba Bakala he found several imposters, each posing as Guru. He decided to offer only two Dinars to every one posing to be Guru Harkrishan's successor. The true Guru would himself demand the exact amount he had vowed to give. According to him it would not be possible for the false and imposters to define the exact purpose of his visit. Thereby their ignorance, lack of spiritual insight and character would be exposed.
As expected ,none of the imposters could recognise him. But when he placed two Dinars before Guru Tegh Bahadur, the great sage at once remarked "God bless you, my man, why only two Dinars after pledging five hundred? The Guru is never in need of any thing but a Sikh is expected to keep his pledge to the Guru." Thus the issue was clinched and the real Guru was discovered. Since this historic event Bakala has become a place of pilgrimage. A beautiful Gurudwara stands at the spot where Guru Tegh Bahadur used to meditate in an underground cell. This small village where Guru Tegh Bahadur revealed himself subsequently, came to be called Baba­Bakala. The Gurudwara has many beautiful paintings pertaining to the Sikh history. People gather in thousands on every amavas night. Besides an Annual Fair is held on rakshabandhan day when many people throng this holy place from all over the country. It is situated approximately 40 KM from Amritsar.

GURUDWARA GURU KI WADALI ::
Guru Hargobind Jee, the sixth Guru of the Sikhs was born on June 14,1595 at village Wadali, near Amritsar city. The birth place of the Guru has beautiful shrine named as Gurudwara Guru Ki Wadali. This small village has become a place of pilgrimage, where devotees come from far and near to pay homage to Mata Ganga Jee who gave birth to the great Guru, the giver of a new direction to the Sikh faith.

GURUDWARA FATEHGARH SAHIB ::
The ancient town of Sirhind is replete with ruins of beautiful mosques and tombs. During Mughal days it was a town of considerable importance. Its ancient fort was built by 'Firoz Tughlaq'. The Fatehgarh Sahib Gurdwara marks the spot, where the two brave children, the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh Jee died for the noble cause. They refused to be converted to Islam during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb.
After the heroic death of two elder sons of Guru Gobind Singh Jee, in the battle of Chamkaur, on December 22, 1704 his two younger sons, namely, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh were done to death, by being bricked alive in the fort of Sirhind on December 28, 1704 by the order of the tyrant Nawab Wazir Khan. Mata Gujri, grandmother of the two Sahibzadas expired due to the shock of brutal murder of her two grand children. A Hindu Philanthropist Dewan Todar Mal cremated three dead bodies with the help of other devotees of the Guru Jee. He purchased the land by paying gold coins to the muslim Zamindar named Atta. Here stands the Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup. A big hall with a seating capacity for 5,000 persons has been recently constructed. It has been named Dewan Todar Mal Hall.
At short distance is the Rauza of Hazrat Mirajabad-ud-din Alaf Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world visit Sirhind to pay respects to Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib and Rauza Sharif. To the south-east of the city is a Caravan Serai of the Mughal period known as Aam-Khas Bagh. It has now been converted into a tourist complex where suitable accommodation is available at reasonable rates.