15 Best Gurudwaras in India that one must visit

India’s diversity is probably her biggest gift. What temples are to Hindus or Mosques to Muslims, the majestic and stately Gurudwaras of India spread all over the country are to Sikhism. India is home to probably more than 95 per cent of Sikh population who worship in thousands of Gurudwaras across that nation. What is also unique is that the gurudwaras are open to people of all faiths. Today the Gurudwara Tours in India is an interesting sojourn that is increasingly being sought-out by the Sikhs from India and abroad. Best Gurudwaras in India

Although the first gurudwara is said to have been built by the first guru and founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak, the word ‘gurudwara’ itself is said to have been introduced by the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind. Today the Western Indian state of Punjab boasts of the largest congregation of gurudwaras and therefore Punjab Gurudwara Tour is a must-do activity for those visiting the state. The Panj Takht Sahib Tour is also popular with many as the tour covers the five most holy Sikh shrines spread in different parts of the country.

Here we bring you the 15 most famous gurudwaras of India, which are not only places of worship but are also important landmarks within the within the wider Sikhism faith. These Sikh shrines tellsa lot more than mere religion, including about the faith’s beginning in the early 16th century toits struggles, the battles fought for survival, the martial Sikh warriors and a lot more.

1. Golden Temple

Located in the city of Amritsar in Punjab, and also known as the Darbar Sahib or Sri Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple, as it is popularly known, is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites for the followers of Sikh religion. First built more than 400 years ago, Golden Temple has not only witnessed the ravages of time but also the strength and conviction of faith in the face of adversaries and is today the most iconic site of Sikh pilgrimage. A resplendent shrine today, with a massive tank in the middle, the Gurdwara’s foundation stone was laid by a Muslim Saint about 430 years ago. The Golden Temple has also been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If embarking on Punjab Gurudwara tour, combining visit to Damdama Sahib Gurudwara with Golden Temple can be a great idea.

2. Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanakji

Located on the doorstep of Kasauli at the mountain hamlet of Gharkhal in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanakji is counted amongst the oldest Gurudwaras of Sikhism and is one of the key attractions of the region. Unlike other Gurudwaras, this Sikh shrine does not house idols, statues or even religious pictures or symbols other than the holy book of Sikhism, Guru Granth Sahib, within its premises. The Gurudwara also provides lodging facility to the devotees.

3. Hemkund Sahib

One of the holiest of Gurudwaras, Hemkund Sahib is a Sikh pilgrimage site located in the Chamoli district in Uttarakhand. Surrounded by mountain peaks with a beautiful glacial lake in front of it, the Hemkund Sahib is situated at an elevation of 4632 metres and can be reached from Gobindghat on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway. The Hemkund Sahib tour with the Valley of Flowersand Badrinath, the most important site in char-Dham yatra and one of holiest sites for the followers of Hinduism, makes for a wonderful itinerary in the state of Uttarakhand.

4. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

Probably the most visited Sikh shrinein Delhi, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is located in the downtown Delhi at Connaught Place and is also very popular with tourists from India and abroad. An important fixture on Delhi’s Gurudwara Tour itinerary or for that matter Gurudwara tours of India, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is historical pilgrimage site that traces its beginning to the early 17th century when the eighth Sikh guru, Guru Har Krishen resided here. It was originally a bungalow built by Raja Jai Singh, a famous general of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and later Aurangzeb.

5. Nada Sahib

The Nada Sahib Gurudwara is famous for being the site where the tenth and last guru, Guru Gobind Singh had made a halt while he was travelling from Paonta Sahib to Anandpur Sahib after his victory at the battle of Bhangani in 1688. Frequented by the Sikh pilgrims looking for solace and peace, Nada Sahib is located in the Shivalik Hills in the Panchkula district in the state of Haryana. Importantly there is also a museum depicting Sikh history.

6. Manikaran Gurudwara

Located at an altitude of 1760 metres in Manikaran in the Parvati Valley drained by River Parvati, Manikaran Gurudwara is one of the famous Sikh Gurudwaras in India. Today Manaikaran, a small town near Kasol, is popular with both, the Sikh and Hindu pilgrims. According to the Sikh tradition, Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, visited the place during third Udaasi in the early 16th century with his disciple Bhai Mardana. The Gurudwara also houses a hot spring in its premises. Combining a visit to Anandpur Sahib and Manikaran Gurudwara is also quite popular while exploring Gurudwaras of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

7. Nanakmatta Gurudwara

One of the holiest site for Sikhs in the state of Uttarakhand, Nanakmatta Gurudwara is associated with the founder of Sikhism and first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak and also Guru Hargobind. Located in Nanakmatta, a town that finds its name from the name of Guru Nanak, the Nanakmatta Gurudwara is close to the town of Sitargunj. Guru Nanak is said to have come here during his third Udaasi 1514 while on his way to Mount Kailash. The Gurudwara is an important stopover in the itinerary of Gurudwara Tours of India.

8. Gurudwara Sahib, Shimla

Located in the hill station town of Shimla, the Gurudwara Sahib is one of the main tourist attractions here drawing tourists from India and abroad alike. This more than 100 years old Gurdwara is not only a sanctuary of peace for the seekers but is also a delightful visit for its interiors and beautiful details. The Gurudwara is located on the Padhawa hills and was constructed in 1907.

9. Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib

One of the most famous Gurudwaras of South India, this magnificent holy site of the followers of Sikhism is a historical shrine located in Bidar in Karnataka. Built a year after India’s independence in 1948, the shrine is dedicated to the first Sikh guru and founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak. Not only the gurudwara famous for its majestic shrine, lavish gardens and an expansive pool but is also located in a lush valley surrounded by hills on the three sides. Besides, there are several stories attached with the life and time of Guru Nanak and his visit to this area that’s equally fascinating.

10. Ram Rai Gurudwara

Located in the Uttarakhand capital Dehradun, Ram Rai Gurudwara is one of the most intriguing yet a sought-after holy shrines in Sikhism today. Built by Guru Ram Rai, the eldest son of Sri Har Raj Ji, the seventh Guru of Sikhs, in the 17th century with help from the then ruler of Dehradun, the Gurudwara attracts a large number of devotees all round the year, especially from the Udaseen sect within the Sikh community. It is said that Guru Ram Rai built this gurudwara after he was banished from his home town in order to stop him from becoming the Sikh Guru.

11. Gurudwara Singh Sabha

Formerly known as Guru Nanak Dharmasala and later rechristened as Gurudwara Singh Sabha, the shrine is located in the temple town of Pushkar just about 13 kilometres from Ajmer. The gurudwara holds significance as the site is said to have been visited by the first Sikh Guru and the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak and the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.

12. Bhai Dharam Singh Gurudwara

One of holiest Gurudwaras in India for the followers of Sikh religion, Bhai Dharam Singh Gurudwara is located in Saifpur village near Meerut in the native village of Bhai Dharam Singh. Dharam Singh was one of the five Panj Pyaare initiated by the tenth and last guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh at Anantpur Sahib to form the core of Khalsa. The Gurudwara was built by Bhai Dharam Singh in the early 18th century.

13. Patna Sahib Gurudwara

One of the Panj Takht Sahib, the five most significant Gurudwaras of Sikhs, Patna Sahib or Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib is one of the holiest gurudwaras in Sikhism. Located in Patna in Bihar, it was built by the Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh to commemorate the birthplace of the tenth and last Sikh guru Guru Gobind Singh who was born at the site in 1666.

14. Gurudwara Mata Kaulan

Gurudwara Mata Kaulan, located in close proximity to the iconic Sikh shrine, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, is one of the popular gurudwaras of Amritsar as well as Punjab. The gurudwara is significant as it is named after a spiritual Muslim lady named Bibi Kaulan. Mata Kaulan is said to have accompanied a Muslim saint Mian Mir, who had laid the foundation stone for the Golden Temple more 400 years ago and had taken refuge with the sixth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind Ji.

15. Bibeksar Sahib

Another prominent gurudwaras of Amritsar, Gurudwara Bibeksar Sahib is located near the famous Golden Temple, the most renowned landmark for Sikhs. The historic gurudwara, initially built by the sixth guru of Sikhs Guru Hargobind Sahib, is situated on the banks of Bibeksar Sarovar. The present structure of the gurudwara was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

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