Historic Sikh Places

Places of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (now in Pakistan)

Nankana Sahib, the town once called Rai Bhoi di Talwandi near Lahore, is the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Gurdwara Janam Asthan marks the place of his birth, and several other gurdwaras in the town remember episodes from his childhood and youth. It is one of the most loved places of pilgrimage for Sikhs everywhere.

Kartarpur Sahib, on the bank of the Ravi in Narowal district, is where Guru Nanak Dev Ji settled after his travels, farmed, and built a community of sangat and langar; he passed away there in 1539. Since 2019 a corridor has allowed pilgrims from India to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur. The Ardas recited by Sikhs includes a prayer for open access to the gurdwaras and shrines from which the Panth was separated at Partition in 1947.

Khadur Sahib, Goindwal Sahib and Amritsar

Khadur Sahib, near the Beas river, was the centre of Guru Angad Dev Ji's Guruship. Here, tradition remembers the Guru teaching Gurmukhi to children and Mata Khivi Ji running the langar. Nearby Goindwal Sahib became the centre under Guru Amar Das Ji, who built a baoli (stepwell) there that remains a place of pilgrimage.

Amritsar grew from the settlement founded by Guru Ram Das Ji. At its heart stands Sri Harmandir Sahib, built by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, where the Adi Granth was installed in 1604. Facing it is the Akal Takht, established by Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. Harmandir Sahib's langar serves visitors of every faith and background through the day, and the complex is visited by very large numbers of people from around the world. Nearby Tarn Taran Sahib, also founded by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, is another important centre.

Anandpur Sahib and Kiratpur Sahib

Kiratpur Sahib, in the Shivalik foothills, is associated with Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, Guru Har Rai Ji and Guru Har Krishan Ji. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji founded nearby Anandpur Sahib (originally Chakk Nanaki) in the 1660s, and it became the home of Guru Gobind Singh Ji for much of his life.

It was at Anandpur Sahib that the Khalsa was created on Vaisakhi 1699, at the place now marked by Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. The town hosts the festival of Hola Mohalla each spring, a tradition of martial display, kirtan and gathering that Sikhs trace to Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Delhi: Sis Ganj Sahib and Bangla Sahib

Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Chandni Chowk marks the place where Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was executed in 1675 on the orders of the Mughal authorities, having refused to give up his principles. Sikhs remember his martyrdom as a sacrifice for the freedom of conscience of others. Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, near Parliament House, is associated with the cremation of the Guru's body.

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib stands on the site of the residence where Guru Har Krishan Ji stayed during his visit to Delhi in 1664. Tradition remembers the child Guru serving people during an epidemic there, and the water of its sarovar is held in reverence by many visitors. Its langar is among the best-known in India.

The five Takhts

The Takhts are seats of Sikh temporal authority. The Sikh Panth recognises five: Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Amritsar; Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib; Takht Sri Harimandir Ji, Patna Sahib, Bihar; Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib, Nanded, Maharashtra; and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, Punjab. The Akal Takht is regarded as the foremost.

Patna Sahib marks the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1666. Hazur Sahib at Nanded is where the Guru spent his final days and where, in 1708, he vested Guruship in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo is where, according to tradition, Guru Gobind Singh Ji stayed after the battles of 1704–05 and prepared the recension of the Granth that includes Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's bani; it was formally recognised as the fifth Takht in the twentieth century.

Some practices differ between Takhts — Hazur Sahib and Patna Sahib, for example, are managed by their own boards and retain some local customs. These differences are part of the Panth's living history and are best approached with respect.