Top 10 Gurudwara around World
A Gurdwara is a place of worship for Sikhs. The name Gurdwara is derived from the word "gurudwara," which means "through or using master," and may also be translated as "the entrance to master." A Gurdwara always keeps its doors open to people of all faiths and races. The objective is to find interior harmony and connect with the Holy Spirit, for example, with god, and the master assists in this process of finding harmony and achieving it. The divine book of Sikhs, "Master Granth Sahib Ji," is kept in all Gurdwaras and is the present master of the Sikh faith. Sikhism and Gurdwaras originated in the holy city of Amritsar, Punjab, and now there are many Gurdwaras all over the world where people of all faiths come to worship and love. Let us have a look at some of the most known and visited Gurdwaras around the world.
1. Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Gurdwara
The Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Gurdwara in Assam is a historic Gurdwara built to commemorate Guru Nanak Dev Ji's visit to Assam in the year 1505. During his journey to this place, Guru Nanak Dev Ji met Shrimanta Shankardeva, the founder of Mahapuruxiya Dharma in Assam. This adds to the significance of this location. Every year in December, thousands of Sikh followers gather here to commemorate Guru Ji's martyrdom, which they call Shahidee Guru Parv. Here, in a rectangular porch, three copies of the Guru Granth Sahib are displayed.
2. Gurdwara Data Bandi Chod Sahib
The name Bandi Chod is given to this Gurdwara in Gwalior, MP, since it commemorates the release of 52 Rajput lords who were imprisoned in the Gwalior fort. Guru Hargobind Singh Ji, the sixth Sikh guru, stayed at the Gwalior fort to pray for Jahangir's health, where he met these monarchs and resolved to assist them in their liberation. This Gurdwara was built in 1968 and was donated to Sant Baba Uttam Singh Ji, who was in charge of its construction. It has 6 stories made entirely of marble with gold doors. The Gurdwara is known for its exquisite "Palki Sahib" and the "Darshan Deorahi," a Sikh museum.
3. Gurdwara Bhatta Sahib
The tenth Guru, Sri Gobind Singh, paid a visit to this Gurdwara. This location has an intriguing backstory. The red hot brick kiln (Bhatha) was instantly cooled down by the contact of Guru's horse's hoof. The Guru and his disciples were looked after by the Pathan Chief of the time, Nihang Khan, a devoted believer of the Guru who put his life on the line for him. The gurudwara is located on the main route connecting Chandigarh with the valleys of Kulu and Kangra.
4. Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha
Gurdwara Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sri Guru Singh Sabha is not just a well-known Sikh shrine in Southall, but it is also the largest shrine in all of Europe. It is located on Havelock Road and Park Avenue and was known to be used by Sikh migrants who fled India in the 1950s and 1960s and moved in England in 2003. One of the main goals of building this Gurdwara was to prevent the decline of Sikhism among Sikhs in England. This Gurdwara, which was built of granite, marble, and recolored glass windows, as well as an overlaying arch, can accommodate roughly 3000 people. It has a two-story exhibition, a lounge space, and a library, among other things.
5. Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib
Because it is located in the Manali highlands, the Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib is noted for its magnificent panoramic splendour. The Gurdwara has historical significance since it was here that the first Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and his followers Bhai Mardana and Bhai Bala first came in 1574. Guru Nanak Dev Ji is said to have meditated here for the first time on his travels, and he is also said to have performed a few miracles here.
6. Gurdwara Ber Sahib
Sultanpur, in the state of Kapurthala, is home to Gurdwara Ber Sahib. This is where Guru Nanak Dev Ji began his journey as a Sikh Prophet. When the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, visited here, he bathed in the Kali Bein River. He planted a Ber plant here, which is the site's major feature. Guru Nanak Dev Ji stayed in this location for about 15 years. According to legend, while swimming in the river, he saw a light and disappeared, only to reappear three days later. After his return, he began teaching Sikhism and eventually became a Sikh Guru. In the year 1942, Baba Jasa Singh Ahluwalia built a monument on this site, which was later reconstructed into a magnificent edifice composed of mosaic and marble.
7. Gurdwara Bangla Sahib
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is situated 0.5 km away from Connaught Place in Delhi. It was constructed to honour Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji. In the year 1664, he was a royal guest to this mansion. Following his visit, the palace was designated as a sacred site and is now known as Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. A pond may be seen on the premises of the temple. The water in this pond is considered sacred and has therapeutic properties, and believers refer to it as Amrit. The Gurdwara also has a museum dedicated to Sikh heritage. It was a modest shrine built by Sardar Bhagel Singh in 1783. A gorgeous gold dome adorns the Gurdwara. This gurdwara was once a palace known as Jaisinghpura Palace.
8. Sri Hemkund Sahib Ji
The Sri Hemkund Sahib Ji Gurdwara is located in Uttarakhand, India, and is surrounded by snowy mountains. Hemkund translates to "snow bowl." The Gurdwara is situated at a height of 15,200 feet. Due to the snow-covered routes, it is inaccessible, and the only way to get there is on foot from Gobindgath. Guru Gobind Singh Ji is honoured at this Gurdwara. Due to its beautiful beauty and floral valley, this location is a popular tourist destination. The star form of this Gurdwara is well-known. The Amrit Sarovar, a tiny lake near the Gurdwara, is regarded a sacred lake by worshippers.
9. Gurdwara Sri Keshgarh Sahib
This Gurdwara, also known as Gurdwara Anandpur Sahib, is the principal shrine of the holy city of Anandpur (City of Bliss) Sahib. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth Sikh Guru, created this city, which is home to several Gurdwaras. The Gurdwara Sri Keshgarh Sahib is well-known and significant since it is one of the five Takhats and the Sikhs' seat of power. The temple sits in the heart of the city, around 95 kilometres north of Chandigarh.
10. Sri Harmandir Sahib
Because of its actual gold construction, Sri Harmandir Sahib is also known as Sri Darbar Sahib and The Golden Temple. Everything in this room is gold-colored, from the ceiling to the electric wires. After Hari (God), the temple of God, the name "Harmandir" was given. The Gurdwara was built under the direction of Baba Budha Ji in 1645, with the foundation set by a Muslim saint, Hazrat Mian Mir Ji. It was the concept of the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, who desired to build a central site for all Sikhs. This is currently the most famous and prominent venue of worship in the Sikh religion, with its doors open to people of all religions from all sides.