Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Patna, Bihar
Harmandir Takht Shri Patna Sahib, popularly known as Patna Sahib Gurudwara is one of the holiest pilgrimages for the Sikh community. Located on the banks of holy Ganga, this Gurudwara in Patna, Bihar was built commemorating the tenth Guru of Sikhs, Shri Guru Gobind Singh.
The Gurudwara is regarded as the epicentre of Sikhism in Eastern India. Patna Sahib Gurudwara is the second acknowledged and accepted Takht of the five all total Takhts of Sikhism, which means ‘seat of authority’. ·A morning prayer called ardaas is being performed here every morning at 5:45 A.M and evening prayer at 6:00 P.M. The langar or free food service is offered here to all the visitors and visitors are also welcomed to volunteer in langar services since it is believed to be an offering to God. The Prakash Parv or the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji is celebrated in December every year which is one of the major attractions of this place.
Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Bathinda, Punjab
Located in Bathinda, Punjab, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib is one of the 5 takhts in Sikhism. Takhts, also called Seats of Temporal Authority are religious places which hold significant importance in Sikh religion. The one in discussion is where the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, assembled and instituted the Holy Book of Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The book is the only thing which the Sikhs worship. Not a person, picture or any statue, just Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Holy Book which is the compilation of the hymns, teaching and preaching of the Sikh Gurus and some other people.
Sri Damdama Sahib was recognised as the 4th Takht of Sikhism in November of 1966 by Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and 5th Takht of Sikhism by the Government of India in April of 1999. Guru Gobind Singh Ji wanted to make this place a literary hub and read and wrote a lot during his stay here in 1706, which lasted nearly a year. He wanted to make a literary pool at this place so that no Sikh would remain illiterate.
It was at this place that Guru Gobind Singh Ji revised and finalised Guru Granth Sahib Ji or the Adi Granth, which was originally compiled by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, and added the verses of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, the ninth Guru and his father.
Damdama means a place to breathe and find peace, which is why Guru Gobind Sigh Ji came here after fighting a tumultuous battle against the Mughals and having his sons die a tragic yet heroic death with two of them- Sahibzada Fateh Singh and Sahibzada Zorawar Singh- being bricked alive in Sarhind, now known as Fatehgarh Sahib, and Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh dying leading the Sikh armies to battle.
After the death of his 2 youngest sons in Sarhind, Guru Gobind Singh Ji sent a Zafarnama to Aurangzeb, calling him out on his dishonour of not keeping his words, which he etched in the Holy Quran, the Holy Book of Muslims, and telling him how despite his conniving tricks and huge army of a lakh soldiers being sent against him and his Sikh army of only a handful, Aurangzeb and the Mughals failed miserably in their mission of capturing Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Gurudwara Bhangani Sahib, Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh
The Gurudwara signifies victory, power and unity of the Sikhs. It was erected at the exact location where the Battle of Bhagani was fought between Raja Bhim Chand and Guru Gobind Singh. This was Guru Gobind Singh’s first battle victory and that too at the tender age of twenty. Standing in the middle of a paddy field, it looks stunning with its white-marble work.
Takht Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Gurudwara, Nanded, Maharashtra
Hazur Sahib is a sacred monument that houses one of the five takhts or thrones of temporal authority. Also famous as Abchalnagar and Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, Hazur Sahib is a renowned location for Sikh Pilgrimage. This is where Guru Gobind Singh breathed his last in 1708. The temple or the Gurudwara was built around the location where Guru Gobind Singh was cremated. The stunning architecture of the Gurudwara is quite a treat to the eyes and so is the complex that extends around it on the banks of River Godavari in Nanded, Maharashtra. Every year, hundreds of thousands of followers visit the Gurudwara. What is more humbling is that they welcome people from every background with open arms. Therefore, its pristine beauty and serene ambience can also be enjoyed by tourists visiting Nanded.
Apart from its architectural grandeur, it is also highly revered for its religious significance. When Guru Gobind Singh Ji was discussing Guruship on the sacred Guru Granth Sahib Book, he renamed Nanded as Abchalnagar which means a steadfast city. His teachings lead to a way of thinking that revolves around God and his truth. Thus, the place was also called ‘Sachkhand’ which literally means the region of truth. Having said that, Guru Nanak, in his texts, has used the name to denote the abode of God as well.
Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib, Chamoli, Uttarakhand
Guru Gobind Singh stayed at this site while camping for his battles in the Shivaliks. Hemkund finds a mention in the Dasam Granth of Granth Sahib. Though situated in the Himalayas at an elevation of 4,632 meters, and largely inaccessible through the year, this is an important pilgrimage destination for Sikhs.
Gurudwara Sri Paonta Sahib, Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh
This Gurdwara was built in memory of Guru Gobind Singh ji, the tenth guru of sikhs.The Dasam Granth was written here by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Hence, the Gurdwara enjoys a high historic and religious importance among the followers of the Sikh religion world over.The Gurudwara have a palanquin “Palki” made of pure gold, donated by devotees.
Shri Talab Asthan and Shri Dastar Asthan are the vital places inside the Sikh shrine.Shri Talab Asthan is used for disbursing salaries and Shri Dastar Asthan is used for organizing the turban tying competitions. A legendary temple is also attached to the Gurudwara which is rebuilt recently in the vicinity of Gurudwara compound. The temple is devoted to Goddess Yamuna. Kavi Darbar, a prominent place near the Gurudwara is the venue for holding the poetry competitions. The weapons and pens used by Guru Gobind Singh Ji are displayed in a museum near the Paonta Sahib Gurudwara. The Gurudwara is visited by tourists from different states.The site is situated on the bank of River Yamuna.This gurudwara serves langar (parshada)for all.The pure beauty of gurudwara signifies that God is one and we all are its children.