Sikh Pilgrimage Destinations in India

The Sikh religion emerged during the early 16th century in the state of Punjab in North India. The founder of this faith was Guru Nanak, who from his childhood was attracted to both Hindu and Muslim saints. Born a Hindu, but also inspired by the teachings of Islam, he began to preach the message of unity of both religions. According to him, the basic teachings of both faiths were essentially the same. Nanak attracted many followers and came to be known as a Guru or a teacher. His disciples came together to form a new religious tradition called Sikhism. Sikhism propounds monotheism, i.e. worship of one God. Some of the well known pilgrimage centers of Sikhs are :

1. Anandpur Sahib is a small town 80 km from Chandigarh. It lies in the Ropar district of north-east Punjab, on the border with Himachal Pradesh. On one side of Anandpur Sahib are the foothills of the towering Shivalik range, on the other, the river Sutlej. Located on the Ambala-Sirhind-Ropar-Nangal rail route and the Ambala-Nangal road, it is 45 km from Ropar and 22 km from Nangal.

2. Golden Temple  is the chief pilgrimage place of the Sikh people and is situated in the holy city of Amritsar. It is also known as Darbar Sahib or Sri Harmandir Sahib and is the symbol of glory of the Sikh community. One can wash away his/her sins by having a dip in the holy waters of The Golden Temple. The Temple is built on a 67 ft square of marble and is a two storeyed structure. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had the upper half of the building built with approximately 400 kg of gold-leaf. 

3. Delhi Gurudwaras Delhi has many beautiful and magnificent Gurudwaras that surely give a feel about the prosperity of Sikhism and Sikh community. Delhi Gurudwaras hold reverence not only for Sikhs, but people of other faiths as well. Also, almost all the Gurudwaras in Delhi has some interesting legend attached to it. Some of them include Gurudwara Sis Ganj, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Gurudwara Nanak Piao, Gurudwara Rakab Ganj, Gurudwara Majnu Ka Tila.

4. Hemkund Sahib Hemkund ( Lake of gold), is situated nearly 29 kms from Joshimath via Govindghat,  in northern state of Uttaranchal in the Garhwal region. It is set in one of the famous beauty spots of the central Himalayas and has a lake of crystal clear water located in beautiful surrounding. The glaciers from Hathi Parvat and Sapt shring peaks feed the lake and a small stream called Himganga flows out of the lakes.

It is believed that Guru Govind Singh , the 10th Guru of the Sikh faith had meditated on the bank of this lake in one of his earlier births, as alluded to in the holly Granth sahib.

5. Manikaran The Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurudwara provides some extraordinary sights. One can enjoy a dip in the hot waters from the springs. There are altogether three baths, one is located under the Gurudwara itself. It is said  that by taking bath here and by drinking water of this place, people go to Heaven. The Manikaran hot spring are noted for their healing powers. Manikaran is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus and Sikhs and has a temple and a gurudwara. .

6. Patna Sahib Gurudwara  is regarded as the centre for propagating Sikhism in the east. As history would have it, Takht Sri Patna Sahib is the second accepted and acknowledged Takht of the Sikhs. Takht Patna Sahib enjoys the privilege of being the birthplace of the Tenth Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He was born here on December 22, 1666  and spent early years here before moving to Anandpur. Handi Sahib (20 kms) is also visited along with Patna Sahib

7. Poanta Sahib Surrounded by a sal forest and on the banks of river Yamuna, the historic town of Paonta Sahib (350m) was founded by a tenth sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh. When only 16 years old, the Guru left Anandpur Sahib and on the invitation of Raja Maidini Prakash of Sirmour, lived at this beautiful spot for over four years. The historic gurudwara commemorates his stay and interestingly the water of the Yamuna fall silent below this- which happened at the Guru's behest. The old 'Paonta' means 'Space for a foothold'

8. Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib  is located on the banks of Godavari in Maharashtra. It is the place where Guru Govind Singh's ashes were buried. Some of the sacred relics of Guru Gobind Singh are also preserved here. This is also one of the Five Takhts of Sikhism and therefore most important from pilgrimage perspective. The inner room of the temple is called Angitha Sahib. Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib is the principal shrine at Nanded.