Famous Gurudwaras in India

India’s diversity is probably her biggest gift.

Just as Temples are to Hindus or Mosques to Muslims or Churches to Christians, the majestic and stately Gurudwaras in India spread all over the country to Sikhism.

India is home to probably more than 95 per cent of the Sikh population, who worship in thousands of Gurudwaras across the nation. It is also unique feature that the Gurudwaras are open to people of all faiths. Today, the Gurudwaras in India are interesting spaces that are increasingly sought by Sikhs from India and abroad.

What is a Gurudwara?

To put it simply Gurudwara means "Door of Guru" but also can be read as "Home of Guru", is a place of worship for Sikhs or those who believe in Sikhism.

Although the first gurudwara was 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, the 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 visit covers the five most holy Sikh shrines spread in different parts of the country. Here we bring you the most famous gurudwaras in India, which are not only places of worship but also important landmarks within the wider Sikhism faith and the cultural tapestry of India.

Let's explore

Top Gurudwaras to Visit in India

1. Gurudwara Harmandir Sahib
2. Gurdwara Nanak Jhira Sahib Ji
3. Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib Ji
4. Gurudwara Sri Paonta Sahib
5. Patna Sahib
6. Gurudwara Dera Baba Bharbhag
7. Hemkund Sahib

Let's explore in Detail about these major Gurudwaras.

Gurudwara Harmandir Sahib ( Golden Temple), Punjab

The biggest and most famous Gurudwara Harmandir Sahib in India holds a special place in the hearts of many. Gurudwara Harmandir Sahib, in Amritsar, Punjab is more popularly known as Golden Temple, was founded in 1577 by Guru Ram Das, and the Adi Granth was placed there by Guru Arjan in 1604.

In the 19th century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh covered the upper floors of the shrine with gold sheets for protection hence the name Golden Temple. The temple has four doors, symbolizing that the Sikh religion welcomes people from all walks of life.

Gurdwara Nanak Jhira Sahib Ji, Karnataka

Located in Bidar in Karnataka, this is one of the most classy historical shrines in South India for Sikhs. This famous divine and holy site for the followers of Sikhism was constructed a year after India gained independence in 1948. Dedicated to Shri Guru Nanak Ji, the 1st guru & founder of Sikhism, the beauty of this place is marked by the lavish gardens, an expansive pool and hills on 3 sides. It is also the hometown of one of the Panj Pyare or the five beloved ones, Bhai Sahib Singh.

There are other Gurudwaras in Karnataka and the most famous one is Sri Guru Singh Sabha, in Halasuru, Bangalore. It is frequented by a majority of the Sikh populace in Bangalore who has settled in various residential spaces and across different properties in Bangalore.

Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib Ji, Manikaran (Himachal Pradesh)

Located up at an altitude of 1760 metres in Manikaran in the Parvati Valley and drained by River Parvati, the mesmerising Manikaran Gurudwara is one of the famous Sikh Gurudwaras in India. Today, Manaikaran, a small town near Kasol, is popular with both Sikh and Hindu pilgrims.

According to the Sikh traditions, Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, visited the place during the third Udaasi in the early 16th century with his disciple Bhai Mardana. The Gurudwara also houses a hot spring on its premises which is very popular with devotees and visitors alike. Combining visiting Anandpur Sahib and Manikaran, Gurudwara is also quite popular while exploring Gurudwaras of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

Gurudwara Sri Paonta Sahib

Situated in the Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh, this Gurudwara is one of the most famous in India because this is the place where Guru Gobind Singh wrote the holy Dasam Granth one of the top divine artifacts. This is an important Sikh pilgrimage as Guru Gobind Singh set his foot here as he lost an ornament that he used to wear on his foot.

Patna Sahib

One of the Panj Takht Sahib, the five most significant famous Gurudwaras of Sikhs, Patna Sahib or Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib is one of the holiest gurudwaras in Sikhism and one of the top Gurudwaras in India. 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.

Gurudwara Dera Baba Bharbhag, Himachal Pradesh

Dera Baba Bharbhag is a sacred shrine located near Una Town in Himachal Pradesh, dedicated to Gurbarbhag Singh and known locally as Gurudwara Manji Sahib. It is situated on top of a hill and is a popular religious destination. The Baba Bharbhag Singh Mela, or Hola Mohalla Fair, believed to possess magical powers, is held here annually. Many people suffering from mental illness and under the influence of evil spirits come here in the hope of being cured of their ailments.

Hemkund Sahib

One of the holiest and famous Gurudwaras in India, Hemkund Sahib is a Sikh pilgrimage site in the Chamoli district in Uttarakhand.

Surrounded by mountain peaks with a beautiful glacial lake in front of it, the Hemkund Sahib is at an elevation of 4632 metres. He can be reached from Gobindghat on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway.

The Hemkund Sahib tour with the Valley of Flowers and Badrinath, the most important site in the char-Dham yatra and one of the holiest sites for the followers of Hinduism, makes for a wonderful itinerary in the state of Uttarakhand.

These Sikh shrines tell a lot more than mere religion, including about the faith’s beginning in the early 16th century, its struggles, the battles fought for survival, the martial Sikh warriors and a lot more.

So what do you think about the Top Gurudwaras in India?

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