GURUDWARA

Historical Gurudwaras

In India, there are many significant Gurudwaras commemorating key events in Sikh History. The most famous of these is Sri Harimandir Sahib (the first Gurudwara built by the Gurus themselves), and the five Takhats (seats of spiritual and temporal authority).

AMRITSAR

Sri Harmandir Sahib

Sri Harmandir Sahib is the first Gurudwara of the Sikhs, and was built by the Gurus themselves.

The sarovar or sacred pool was excavated by the forth Guru, Guru Ramdas Ji. It became the site of the famous Harmandir Sahib (known by the British as the ‘Golden Temple’) and the growing city was later renamed ‘Amritsar’ (‘site of the amrit sarovar’).

The construction of the sacred shrine was completed by the fifth Guru who was Guru Ramdas’ youngest son. Known as Guru Arjan Dev Ji, he was the first Guru to be born in a Sikh Guru’s household. In Amritsar, he compiled the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and associated Hindu and Muslim saints into a single body of scripture, Sri Ād(i) Granth Sahib. Incorporating the values of humility and openness in Harmandir Sahib’s design, he invited the great Sufi saint, Hazrat Mian Mir, to lay its foundation stone. Under him, then, Guru Nanak’s vision of social transformation based on a spirit of oneness became more sharply visible.

AMRITSAR

Sri Akal Takhat Sahib

The Akāl Takhat (‘Throne of the Timeless One’) was constructed by the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, next to the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. It was designed to attend to matters of social and political concern. By building the ‘Iron Fort’ of Lohghar and by forming a defensive force of soldiers, he communicated Sikh resilience in the face of looming political threat.

For the revered Sikh poet, Bhai Gurdas, these were moves to safeguard, with ‘thorny bushes’, the flourishing ‘orchard’ of Guru Nanak’s legacy.

PATNA SAHIB

Takhat Sri Harmandir Ji

In 1506, while travelling in Patna, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s trusted companion, Bhai Mardana Ji, was anxious to get food and supplies for their travels. Lifting a stone from the ground, Guru Ji asked him to trade it. Out of all the jewellers he visited in the city, only one, by the name of Salis Rai Jori, had the eyes to recognise the stone’s precious value, and not dismiss it as worthless.

Salis Rai immediately requested to have audience with the Guru who had discovered and recognised such a rare and remarkable stone. Meeting Guru Nanak Dev Ji he offered his sincere hospitality.

When Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji arrived in Patna, this time it was the descendants of Salis Rai Jori who offered him hospitality. They also invited the Guru’s family to remain there for the birth of the Guru’s child, while Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji continued his travels.

In 1666, Gobind Rai (later named Guru Gobind Singh Ji) was born. It was in Patna that he spent his tender, formative years, under the wing of his mother, grandmother and maternal uncle. Eventually, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji returned to Patna, meeting his four-year old son for the first time.

This takhat is the site of Salis Rai Jori’s home and Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s birth.

ANANDPUR SAHIB

Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib

Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib is the site of the first amrit sanchar in 1699.

In 1699, the annual Vaisakhi gathering of Sikhs took place in the city of Anandpur, at Kesgarh Sahib, ‘The Fort of the Unshorn Hair’. Out of thousands of stunned onlookers, five Sikhs, turn by turn, answered the tenth Guru’s dramatic call for a head. Each is understood to have been spiritually revitalised and physically resurrected, after the crowd was certain all five had met death by the Guru’s sword. With the Guru’s blessings, they became awakened and so symbolised everyone’s potential for renewal and rebirth within this life. Echoing the courageous sacrifice of the ninth Guru, they were hailed as the panj pyāre or ‘beloved five’. The tenth Guru then began a ceremony of initiation known as the amrit sanchār.

TALWANDI SABO

Takhat Sri Damdama Sahib

Sri Damdama Sahib marks the site where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was compiled.

In Amritsar, in the early 1600s, the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji compiled the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and associated Hindu and Muslim saints into a single body of scripture, Sri Ād(i) Granth Sahib.

However, when the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji was denied access to the scripture, it was at this location he meditated and recited the entire scripture from heart.

The scripture was scribed by a devotee known as Bhai Mani Singh Ji. During the recitation Guru Gobind Singh Ji added in the verses of his father, the ninth Guru. The process took nine months to complete.

HAZUR SAHIB, NANDED

Takhat Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib

In 1708, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru, placed the revered Sikh scripture on his thrown and bowed down to the sacred words. He then commanded all Sikhs to accept the scripture as the Eternal living Guru.

Days after this enthronment, Guru Gobind Singh Ji departed from this world.

This takhat marks the location of these two significant acts in Sikh history.