Spiritual Places in Punjab

Golden Temple
Sri Harmandir Sahib (Punjabi: ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) or Darbar Sahib (Punjabi:ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ), informally referred to as The Golden Temple or Temple of God is culturally the most significant place of worship of the sikhs and one of the oldest Sikh gurudwaras . It is located in the city of Amritsar which was established by Guru Ram Das, the fourth guru of the Sikhs and the city that it was built in, is also due to the shrine, known as "Guru Di Nagri"
Its name literally means House of God. The fourth Guru of Sikhism, GuruRamdas, excavated a tank in 1577 which subsequently became known as Amritsar (meaning: Pool of the Nectar of Immortality, giving its name to the city that grew around it. In due course, a splendid Sikh edifice, Harmandir Sahib (Temple of God), was constructed in the middle of this tank which became the supreme centre of Sikhism. Its sanctum came to house the Adi Granthcomprising compositions, Sikh values, philosophies and teachings of the Sikh Gurus and other saints of Guru Nanak's time, e.g. Ravidas a Hindu Guru, Baba Farida Sufi Sant (Saint) and Kabir, all of whom the Sikhs refer to as the Bhagats.The compilation of the Adi Granth was started by the fifth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Arjun Dev ji.

Originally built during 1574 AD, the site of the temple was surrounded by a small lake in a thin forest. The third of the six grand Mughals, emperor Akbar, who visited the third Sikh Guru, Guru Amar Das, at the neighbouring town of Goindval was so impressed by the way of life in the town that he gave a Jagir(the land and the revenues of several villages in the vicinity) to the Guru's daughter Bhani as a gift on her marriage to Bhai Jetha, who later became the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das. Guru Ram Das enlarged the lake and built a small township around it. The town was named after Guru Ram Das as "Guru Ka Chak", "Chak Ram Das" or "Ram Das Pura".
During the leadership of the fifth Guru, Guru Anjan Dev(1581-1606), the full-fledged Temple was built. In December 1588 the great Muslim Sufi saint of Lahore, Hazrat Mian Mir, a close friend of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, was asked to lay the corner stone (December 1588). The story has been told that a mason then straightened the stone, to which Guru Arjan said, as you have just undone the work of such a holy man, who knows what disaster might come to the Harmandir Sahib. This story has been used to offer a reason why the temple has been attacked so many times by the Afghanis and Mughals and even the Indian Army in 1984.
The temple was completed in 1604. Guru Arjan Dev, installed the Adi Granth in it and appointed Baba Buddha Ji as the first Granthi (Reader) of the temple on August 1604. In the mid 18th century it was attacked by the Afghans, by one of Ahmed Shah Abdali's Generals, Jahan Khan, and had to be substantially rebuilt in the 1760s. However, in response a Sikh Army was sent to hunt down the Afghan force. They were under orders to show no mercy and historical evidence suggests none was shown. Both forces met each other 5 miles outside Amritsar where Jahan Khan's army was destroyed. He himself was decapitated by commander Sardar Dayal Singh.
The temple is surrounded by a large Sarovar (manmade lake), known as the AmritSar (Lake of Holy Water or Immortal Nectar). There are entrances to the temple on all four sides, signifying the importance of acceptance and openness; ostensibly, this concept is reminiscent of the tent of Abraham in the Old Testament -- his tent was open on all four sides in order to be able to welcome travelers from all directions. Inside the temple complex there are many shrines to past Sikh Gurus, Saints and martyrs . There are three holy trees (Bers) each associated with a historical event or Sikh saint. Inside the temple there are many memorial plaques that commemorate past Sikh historical events, saints, martyrs and includes commemorative inscriptions of all the Sikh soldiers who died fighting in the two World Wars. For a new visitor the first recommended place to visit is the information Office followed by visiting the Sikh Central museum near the main entrance called the Ghanta Ghar Deori (clock tower gate). Anyone who wants to enter the Harmandir Sahib may do so, irrespective of religion, colour, creed or sex. The only restrictions are that the person must not drink alcohol, eat meat or smoke cigarettes or use other non prescription drugs while in the shrine. Visitors are, as well, expected to dress appropriately and everyone must cover their heads as a sign of respect, remove their shoes and wash their feet in the small pool of water as they enter the Harmandir Sahib premises. Head scarves are provided.
The golden plates which cover the exterior of the Gurdwara's upper floor and domes, as well as its exquisite marblework was done under the patronage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the leader of the Sikh Empire of the Punjab. Also called Sher-e-Punjab (Lion of the Punjab), the Maharaja was a heavy donor of wealth and materials for the shrine and is remembered with much affection by the Punjabi People in general and the Sikh community in particular. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was responsible for a rennaisance of many Gurdwaras damaged or destroyed during Mughal rule, including many new Gurdwaras as well. Two of the other most revered temples of Sikhism were built to honor the memory of Guru Gobind Singh. Maharaja Ranjit Singh's deep love of and respect for the 10th Guru lead to his having both the Takht Sri Patna Sahib (Built at the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh) and the Takht Sri Hazur Sahib (the place where Guru Gobind Singh died).

Anandpur Sahib
Anandpur Sahib (Punjabi: ਅਨੰਦਪੁਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ, (Hindi: आनन्दपुर साहिब) is a city and a municipal councilin Rupnagar district inthe state of Punjab, India. Known as "the holy City of Bliss," it is a holy city of the Sikhs and is one of their most important sacred places, closely linked with their religious traditions and history. It is located on the lower spurs of the Himalayas surrounded by picturesque natural scenery, with the river Sutlej forming a shimmering and shiny blue border on the south west barely four miles away.

Anandpur Sahib was founded in the year 1665 by the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur, near the ruins of an ancient place, Makhowal. On May 13,1665, Guru Tegh Bahadur went to Bilaspur to attend the mourning for Raja Dip Chand of Bilaspur State. The Dowager Rani Champa of Bilaspur offered to give the Guru a piece of land in her state. The Guru bought the site on payment of five hundred rupees. The land consisted of the villages of Lodhipur, Mianpur and Sahota. Here on the mound of Makhowal, Guru Tegh Bahadur raised a new habitation. The ground was broken on June19, 1665, by Baba Gurditta Randhawa. The new village was named Chakk Nanaki after the Guru's mother, Nanaki. The place later came to be known as Anandpur Sahib.
Anandpur Sahib comes to life every year on the occasion of Hola Mohalla. This tradition dates back to the times of the 10th Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Guru decreed that the occasion of the festival of Holi be the occasion for the display of the martial spirit of his people and he gave this festival of Holi the Sikh name of 'Hola Mohalla'. Each year Hola Mohalla marks the congregation of up to 100,000 devotees from all over the country for a festival of colour and gaiety.
Some of the famous Gurudwaras in Punjab are:
Fatehgarh Sahib, Sirhind : An important destination for Sikh pilgrims. This gurudwara has been built on the site where 300 years ago, Guru Gobind Singhji's two young Sahibzadas were entombed alive by the Mughals because they had refused to embrace Islam underduress of the Nawab of Sirhind.
Damadama Sahib also known as Guru -Ki- Kashi Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda : Guru Gobind Singhji stayed in Damdama Sahib for nine months and it was here that he worked on the Adi Granth. He made Damdama the centre for propagating the Sikh faith and called it ‘Khalsa De Takht’ or Throne of the Khalsa. It holds great significance for Sikh for it is the place where the guru sought rest and refuge during his battles with the Mughals.
Gurudwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib Patiala City : Marks the site where the 9th Prophet,Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji had rested while proceeding to Delhi to embrace martyrdom to uphold man's right to worship according to his belief.
Tarn Taran : 24 Kms south of Amritsar. Founded by the 5th Prophet Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji the impressive Gurudwara with gold plated dome has a holy pool. The guru used to run a leper's home here.
Goindwal Sahib : Within easy reach of Tarn Taran was the centre of Sikh religion during the time of the third Prophet, Guru Amar Das ji. The deep well (bauli) in the Gurudwara has 84 steps. Whoever takes a bath here and recites Japji Sahib (divine composition of the first Prophet of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji ) at each step, and repeats the recitation followed by bath in the Holy Well 84 times, attains moksh, because he lives out 84,000 cycles of birth representing each specie created by God.
Baba Bakala : 45 Kms from Amritsar. The 9th Prophet Guru Teg Bahadur had revealed himself to Makhan Shah Lubana, a Sikh devotee here. A fair is held here on the occasion of Rakhsha Bandhan.
Dera Baba Nanak : (35 Kms west of Gurdaspur) Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent last 12 years of his life here. Clothes he wore at Mecca are preserved here. A fair called the Maghi fair is held here every January.