India is a religiously diversified country as people of all religions have their own beliefs and are also free to follow what they want. As temples are meant for Hindus and mosques for Muslim, Gurudwara in india are the only places which welcome people of all religions.
Sikhism is such a religion that symbolises bravery, equality and generosity. It was founded by Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Sahib ji in the 15th century. Since then, Sikhism has emerged as one of the strongest religions all around the world.
Many sikh men have given their lives to fight for truth and justice and have become idols of courage. As this religion is synonymous with bravery, so are the vibes too. India is home to so many Sikhs and they go to worship in Gurudwaras. They are the sacred places to them which are located not only across the nation but in the world too.
No matter what religion you follow, you can visit Gurudwaras to get the glimpse of bravery, spiritual beauty, historic importance and mankind. Amongst the most beautifully architected ones, here are 10 famous Gurudwaras that you must try to visit once in your life. Let’s dive in to know more.
Top 10 Gurudwara In India
#1. Harmandir Sahib
The world knows Harmandir Sahib Gurudwara by the name of Golden Temple or Darbar Sahib which is located in the Amritsar of Punjab. The foundation stone of this holy pilgrimage was first laid in 1855. The fifth saint of Sikhs, Guru Arjun Ji was the one who had the idea of this beautiful and historic shrine.
It was the year 1604, when the holy book Adi Granth was kept in the shrine. Also, the golden plates were covered above the shrine to protect it following the orders of Maharaja Ranjith Singh in the 19th century.
This world famous Gurudwara is also known for the historic reasons that it has seen ravages, saints, events, martyrs of world war 1 and 2 in past. It also has the inscriptions of all those events.
This shrine is one of the most famous religious spots all around the world that welcomes people of all faiths symbolised by the four gates on each side of the Gurudwara. The best time to visit Golden Temple is between November to March.
#2. Hemkund Sahib
If you want to visit a scenic gurudwara, then Hemkund Sahib is the perfect location to visit. It is not only known for religious and historical reasons but also the beauty of the sight. Built in star shape, this is an example of immense beauty.
This is because of the weather conditions and high altitude. Hemkund Sahib is located at a height elevation of around 4000 metres. The shrine is not open for devotees between the months of October and April due to the extreme weather conditions.
You can reach here via the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway from the May month. The Char Dham Yatra and Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara can be a perfect itinerary for people to do in Uttarakhand. This place is devoted to the Sikh saint, Guru Gobind Sahib which enhances the spiritual significance of the pilgrimage.
#3. Atal Sahib Gurudwara
Though this shrine is situated in Amritsar of Punjab, it is still not as famous as it should be. It gets overshadowed because of the immense popularity of the Golden Temple.
However, if you want to visit a Gurudwara which is among the best ones in India, then this can be an incredible option. This shrine was constructed after the sudden demise of Baba Atal. He was the son of Sikh saint Hargobindh Singh.
It is recognizable because of its architecture which is a nine-storey building. This resembles that Baba Atal was just of nine years when he died.
The building is unique in its own way because of its height as well as its structure which is completely different from all the other sikh pilgrimages. The construction began in the year 1778 and was completed in 1784. Since then, it has been visited by millions of devotees. You can go here in the months between November and March.
#4. Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
Almost every resident of Delhi must be familiar with the name of Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. It is located in the Connaught Place which is considered to be the heart of downtown Delhi. This is one of the most visited places for tourists in Delhi.
As it was a palace till the 17th century and then was reconstructed in the 18th century to be a gurudwara. It was built to mark the stay and kindness of sikh guru Har Kishan who stayed in the palace around the year 1664. It was the time when Delhi was suffering through the epidemics of cholera and chicken pox.
Also, there is a sarovar or well, present at the centre of gurudwara which is considered to be sacred. You can also visit the museum present inside it. It depicts the courageous history of Sikhism. In this way, it is a must visit sight for history lovers, devotees and travel enthusiasts. Choose the months between October and March to get the best trip of this place.
#5. Nanak Jhira Sahib Gurudwara
It is important to count the famous Nanak Jhira Sahib Gurudwara among the top 10 sikh shrines. This shrine is located in the beautiful Bidar district of Karnataka in south India. The construction time of the shrine is said to be after India’s independence in the year of 1948.
The Gurudwara is devoted to the first sikh saint, Guru Nanak ji. Not only is the Gurudwara well-known for its imposing shrine, lavish grounds, and a large pool, but it is also situated in a flourishing valley bordered by hills on all three sides.
Additionally, there are a number of fascinating anecdotes related to Guru Nanak’s life, times, and visits to this region that you enjoy and learn when you visit the place. If you are planning to visit here, then the months between September and March are ideal for the trip.
#6. Gurudwara Patna Sahib
Patna Sahib Gurudwara is considered to be amongst the holiest and best Gurudwaras in India. As Patna is the birth city of Guru Gobind Singh, Patna has a special significance for Sikhs. This Gurudwara is located on the banks of holy river Ganga.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the one who built this Gurudwara to commemorate the birth of Guru Gobind Singh and visit of Guru Teg Bahadur. This gurudwara is also one of the five important Takhts of Sikhism. If you want to visit Patna Sahib Gurudwara, then opt for the months of December to April.
During this time, you can also witness the celebration of Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, which is considered to be a great attraction of this particular place.
#7. Manikaran Gurudwara
Manikaran is an important town in respect to the majestic Hindu and Sikh pilgrims. Manikaran Gurudwara is one of the well-known Sikh Gurudwaras in India. This is situated at a height of 1760 metres in the Parvati Valley, which is drained by the river Parvati.
The location is said to be visited by Guru Nanak several times with their disciples Bhai Mardana and Bhai Bala during the time of third Udaasi that happened in the initial 16th century. A hot spring is also located on the grounds of the Gurudwara. In case you are out to visit the holy pilgrims, then do not forget to add Manikaran Gurudwara in the list. Winter season is ideal to witness the scenic beauty but stay updated for the weather conditions.
#8. Mattan Sahib Gurudwara
Another famous gurudwara in India, Mattan Sahib is situated in SriNagar. This shrine is a sacred place for Sikhs as well as Hindus. The shrine is constructed at the site of ruined temples. This is the reason why Hindus are also devoted to the shrine making it immensely popular in the list of top gurudwaras in India.
The Gurudwara is constructed via an influenced Brahmin, who was highly inspired by the preachings and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev. If you are planning to visit a place rich in historical and spiritual heritage, then this must be your next destination. Enjoy visiting here between the months of September and April.
#9. Gurudwara Damdama Sahib
Gurudwara Damdama Sahib is amongst the top gurudwaras in Punjab as well as India. Thousands of devotees visit this historically as well as spiritually important place for Sikhs. Like all the other Gurudwaras, here also people of any religion are welcomed with equality. Langars are also organised on a daily basis for 24 hours so that no one remains hungry.
This is an important place for the sikhs as the first guru of sikhism wrote Bir at this particular spot. It was written for the holy book Shree Guru Granth Sahib. This place has a special significance because the faith of sikhs and Singhs was tested at this place only.
The term damdama is specifically considered to be a breathing place and this is what Guru Nanak Sahib did here. This gurudwara was considered to mark the same. Plan a trip for this incredible destination in the months of winter.
#10. Paonta Sahib Gurudwara
This Gurudwara is located between the beautiful scenic spots of Himachal Pradesh. Being named in the most famous sikh shrines, its beauty is boosted through the mountains and other natural aspects. It is believed that Guru Gobind Singh had written the Dasam Granth here only.
It is a very important holy scripture by the aspect of sikhs. It is also said that the place got its name because of two significant reasons. Firstly, the foot of Guru Sahib was set here for the first time. Secondly, he might have lost his foot ornament at this place.
There are two vital places inside the shrine. The Dastar Asthan is famous for the competition of turban-tying and the Talab Asthan is the place where salaries are distributed. You can also visit the age-old temple which is located just beside the shrine.
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Final Thoughts
If you are a travel enthusiast who loves to visit holy places of divine India, then you can plan your next trip to any of these famous Gurudwaras. These shrines are not only meant for spiritual significance and sightseeing but they also have their own historical importance too.
You can also take active part in the langars or any type of Sewa performed in Gurudwaras which can give you memorable experiences. Moreover, these places are ideal for getting inner as well as mental peace. You can feel even more relaxed at such places.
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