Historical Gurdwaras darshan surrounding Amritsar

Day 01 - Amritsar

Arrive Amritsar Railway Station. On arrival meet and greet by our representative who will take you to the hotel. Check in hotel. Relax for a while. After Lunch, proceed for Gurudwara Darshan start your tour with the blessings of The Golden Temple Amritsar India (Sri Harimandir Sahib Amritsar) is not only a central religious place of the Sikhs, but also a symbol of human brotherhood and equality. Everybody, irrespective of cast, creed or race can seek spiritual solace and religious fulfillment without any hindrance. It also represents the distinct identity, glory and heritage of the Sikhs. To pen-down the philosophy, ideology, the inner and outer beauty, as well as the historical legacy of Sri Harimandir Sahib is a momentous task. It is a matter of experience rather than a of description.

As advised by Sri Guru Amar Dass Ji (3rd Sikh Guru), Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji (4th Sikh Guru) started the digging of Amrit Sarovar (Holy Tank) in 1577 A.D., which was later on brick-lined by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (5th Sikh Guru) on December 15, 1588 and He also started the construction of Sri Harimandir Sahib. Sri Guru Granth Sahib (scripture of the Sikhs), after its compilation, was first installed at Sri Harimandir Sahib on August 16, 1604 A.D. A devout Sikh, Baba Budha Ji was appointed its first Head Priest.

The Golden Temple Amritsar India (Sri Harmandir Sahib Amritsar) has a unique Sikh architecture. Built at a level lower than the surrounding land level, The Gurudwara teaches the lesson of egalitarianism and humility. The four entrances of this holy shrine from all four directions, signify that people belonging to every walk of life are equally welcome. GURDWARA BABA ATAL SAHIB, a 9 storey octagonal tower, over 45 metres high, standing close to the Kaulsar pool about 200 metres southeast of the Harimandar, marks the spot where Baba Atal Rai, 9 year old son of Guru Hargobind, passed away on 9 Assu 1685 Bk/ 13 September 1628. See ATAL RAI, BABA. A simple memorial in honour of Baba Atal was raised on the site originally. The construction of the present edifice commenced after the Sikh misls had established their authority in the Punjab. The cornerstone was laid in 1770 and the first three storeys had been completed by 1784. The upper floors were raised by Maharaja Ranjit Singh during the 1820's. Sardar Desa Singh Majithia contributed the gold for gilding the dome at the top. The Guru Granth Sahib is seated in a small inner room on the ground floor. The first six storeys are larger than the upper ones which rise above the central sanctum. The doors on the ground floor, four in number, are decorated with embossed designs, on brass and silver sheets. Interior walls and the ceiling are covered with murals depicting scenes from the lives of Guru Nanak, his two sons and nine successors, Guru Gobind Singh's four sons and Baba Buddha.In olden days, the ground around Baba Atal Sahib (as the building is popularly called) were used as a cremation ground and the area was dotted with samadhs (memorial shrines) raised for eminent sardars (chiefs), saints (holy men), and warriors. Later visit to Gurudwara Kaulsar Sahib. This is the Sarovar next to the Gurdwara Mata Kaulan near Gurdwara Baba Atal in Amritsar, next to the main Darbar Sahib at Harmandar Sahib. It is named after a holy lady who was raised as a Muslim called Bibi Kaulan, the adopted daughter of the Qazi of Lahore. Gurdwara Santokhsar Sahib is an historical sikh shrine, situated at distance of 700 Meters from Harimandir Sahib. This is one of the five historical sarovers constructed by Guru Arjun Dev. When Guru Ram Das, had not yet ascended to the gaddi, he came here to find out a place for excavation of the holy tank on instructions from Guru Amar Das. When Guru Ram Das was getting the place dug, he found a Yogi, meditating.

After sometime the Yogi opened his eyes and told Guru Ram Das that he had been meditating here for a long time, waiting for a Guru to give him salvation. He disclosed his name as Santakha and then breathed his last. The tank was then named as Santokhsar.Guru Arjan completed the unfinished work of excavation of tanks - Santokhsar and Amritsar. Baba Buddha was appointed to supervise the work of construction. Santokhsar was completed in 1587-89. Later visit GURDWARA GURU KE MAHAL, as the name signifies, marks the residential house of the Gurus. It is situated west of the Akal Takht across Guru ka Bazar street. Originally constructed as a modest hut by Guru Ram Das in 1573, it was enlarged and beautified by Guru Arjan Dev and Guru Hargobind. The old house has since been converted into a gurdwara with the Guru Granth Sahib seated in a large rectangular hall. Besides the daily services, a special divan and Guru ka Langar are held on every Sunday following the first of a Bikrami month. Overnight stay in Amritsar.

Day 02 - Amritsar

After breakfast, visit Bibeksar (built 1628) this sarovar is located to south/south-east of the most important landmark for the sikhs, Harimandir sahib in the city of Amritsar. Gurdwara Bibeksar sahib is situated on the banks of the bibeksar sarovar.the sarovar was built by guru hargobind sahib, the 6th Sikh guru, and the present beautiful Gurudwara was built by maharaja ranjit singh. Then later visit to Gurdwara Ramsar Sahib stands alongside the Ramsar sarovar. It is one of the smallest of amritsar's five holy sarovars. It was built in 1855 constructed by guru arjun dev, the fifth sikh guru of the sikh. Gurudwara shaheed Baba Deep Singh ji is situated in the distt city Amritsar. in the year 1757 when baba deep singh ji got the news that taimurshah & jahan khan have shown disrespect for Shri Darbar sahib & also started filling the holy sarovar, even though baba ji was in old age he carried a 18 kg heavy khanda in his hand to free shri darbar sahib. He took pledge to teach a lesson to the cruel and started his journey for Shri Amritsar sahib. On hearing this, jahan khan had made thousands of his soldiers ready on the outskirts of the town near Gohalvadh village. There was a fierce battle. Baba ji was still far from the town when during his battle with jahan khan, he was beheaded. a singh standing close to baba ji when reminded baba ji of his pledge, such a miracle happened which had never happened in the world before. Baba ji held his head in his left hand & with his right hand he swayed the khanda with such a force that the enemies started running. Like this, fighting the fierce battle, baba ji reached Shri Amritsar and offered his head at Shri Harmandar sahib. antim sanskar of baba deep singh ji and other shaheed singhs was done here.Overnight stay.

Day 03 - Amritsar

After Breakfast, GURUDWARA KILA SHRI LOHGARH SAHIB, is situated in Distt City Amritsar. It is situated in the old Amritsar City inside Lohgarh Gate Area. After Martyrdom of SHRI GURU ARJAN DEV JI at Lahore, Baba Budha ji announce SHRI HARGOBIND SAHIB JI as sixth GURU. SHRI GURU HARGOBIND SAHIB JI started raising the army of Sant Soldiers to fight against the cruelty. GURU SAHIB raised here the Lohgarh Fort (Now Known as GURUDWARA SHRI LOHGARH SAHIB).Later visit Gurdwara Bhai Saalo Toba Earlier in the times of the Gurus there was a famous Dharamsal of Bhai Saalo who was an ardent Bhagat (follower) of Guru Arjun Dev ji. A picture of the Thoba (a small pond with earthen floor), now tiled, appears below. Tobha Bhai Saalo Ji.The Sikh sangat which came from Lahore to visit Guru ji in Amritsar would pass through this route and stop over at the Dharamsal of Bhai Saalo. Guru Arjun Dev ji himself visited Bhai Salo's dharamsal many times, showing the affection which guru ji had for his gursikhs. Bhai Saalo breathed his last in Samat 1685 (Ch. 1628).

GURDWARA PIPLI SAHIB, about 1.5 km west of Amritsar railway station towards the Khalsa College, marks the spot where a large sangat, column of devotees, coming from Afghanistan and northwestern districts of the Punjab to take part in the excavation of the main Amritsar tank was welcomed by Guru Arjan, who came forward personally to receive them and who subsequently made it into a resting place for sarigats coming to Amritsar from that direction. The Gurdwara is connected by a 150metre link road to the main Sher Shah Suri Marg near Putlighar. It came into prominence again in 1923 when crowds of volunteers for the karseva or desilting operation of the Darbar Sahib tank first assembled here and then proceeded to the work site in a procession on 17 June 1923. The Gurdwara was reconstructed during the 1930's. Besides the daily services, a fair is held here on the occasion ofBasant Panchmi (JanuaryFebruary).

Later drive to valla to visit GURUDWARA KOTHA SAHIB, VILLAGE VALLA This Gurdwara is situated at a distance of 6 Km East of Amritsar City along Mehta road in Village Vallah.

The Ninth Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji visited Village Vallah in 1664 and stayed for 17 Days at the place where Gurdwara Vallah Sahib is situated. A devotee of Guru Ji named Mai Haro Ji took Guru Ji to her house and served him with devotion. Gurdwara Kotha Sahib has been constructed at the place where house of Mata Mai Haro Ji once existed. Overnight stay in Amritsar.

Day 04 - Gurdwara Chheharta Sahib, San Sahib,Baba Budha Ji,

After Breakfast visit Gurdwara Chheharta Sahib is situated on the Amritsar – Gurusar Sultan Road, near village Guru ki Vadali, seven kms from Amritsar.Guru ki Vadali is the birthplace of the Sixth Guru, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib, the son of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. To celebrate the birth of his son, Guru Arjan Dev Ji constructed a big well at this place. This well had six Persian wheels to draw out the water and thus came to be known as Chheharta, the well with six wheels. This well helped in removing water scarcity in the region and enabled the greening of the fields.

Gurdwara San Sahib is situated in the village of Basarke in Amritsar District, Punjab, India. Guru Amar Das ji was named next Guru by Guru Angad Dev ji, but Datu ji the son of Guru Angad Dev was, like Guru Nanak's son, sure that as the Guru's son he should be appointed the Guru. He forced Guru Amar Das ji to leave Goindwal Sahib. Guru Amar Das being a humble person, returned to his family village of Basarke.
Here the Guru shut himself up in a small hut with a note on the door. The note said, "He who opens this door is no Sikh of mine, nor am I am his Guru." When a delegation of Sikhs lead by Baba Buddha ji found the hut they were perplexed as what to do. Finally Baba Buddha decided to make a hole in the wall so as not to go against the Guru's instruction.
Once inside they pleaded with the Guru to return to Goindwal Sahib as only he was their true beloved Guru and the Sikhs could not live without him. Guru Amar Das finally relented and returned with the Sikhs. The hole in the wall is still preserved today inside the Gurdwara Sahib. Gurdwara Sahib is situated on the Amritsar-Chaubal Road. Overnight Stay.

Gurdwara Baba Budda Sahib Baba Buddha ji spent much of his life here. Guru Arjan Dev also visited this place at some stage. Also known as Gurudwara Bir Baba Buddha this is situated in the revenue limits of the village of Thatta, 20 km south of Amritsar. The shrine honours and commemorates Baba Buddha (1506 - 1631), the venerable Sikh of the time of Guru Nanak who lived long enough to anoint five succeeding Gurus.

He spent many years looking after the "bir", literally a reserved forest used for cattle grazing, said to have been offered to Guru Arjan by Chaudhari Langah of Patti out of his private lands. According to Gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi, it was here on 21 Assu 1651 Bk/20 September 1594, that Mata Ganga the wife of Guru Arjan, received blessings for an illustrious son (the future Guru Har Gobind, Nanak VI) from Baba Buddha. Overnight Stay at Hotel.

Day 05 -Tarn Taran Sahib / Khadoor Sahib / Goindwal Sahib (50 Kms.)

After breakfast proceed for full day Gurdwara Yatra around Amritsar starting from Gurdwara Shri Tarn Taran Sahib (25 Kms from Amrisar) - is a Gurdwara established by the fifth guru, Guru Arjan Dev. It is situated in the city of Tarn Taran Sahib; it has the distinction of having the largest sarovar (Water pond) of all the gurudwaras. Also it is famous for the month gathering of pilgrims on day of Amavas (No moon night).
Then Visit Khadoor Sahib (15 Kms from Tarn Taran) - Sri Khadur Sahib was the family home of second Guru Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji. The Guru settled here with his wife Mata Khivi and raised their three children here. Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji established his religious center here and spent the rest of his life at Khadur Sahib. Here Shri Guru Angad Dev appointed Guru Amar Das as his successor and the third Guru. A grand Gurudwara Khaddi Sahib has been constructed here, in memory of Guru Amar Das.
Then proceed to Goindwal Sahib (10 Kms from Khadur Sahib), visit Gurdwara Shri Baoli Sahib- This was the first centre of Sikhism and was established by Sri Guru Amar Das Ji. The Hindus went on pilgrimage to Hardwar and Benaras but the Sikhs needed a place of their own. Understanding this, Sri Guru Amar Das Ji purchased the land and personally helped in the construction of the Gurdwara and Baoli (well) with 84 steps leading down to it. Return to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 06-Departure

After Breakfast Transfer to Railway station to board train for onward journey.