The Five Gurdwaras (Sikh Temples) known
as the Five Takhts (Thrones) have a very special significance
for the Sikh community. They are considered the seats of Sikh
religious authority. Many important decisions concerning the
religious and social life of the Sikh community were made
here. Sri Akal Takht Shrines Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib Takht
Sri Hazur Sahib Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Takht Sri Patna Sahib
.
Akal
Takht literally means Eternal Throne. It is part of
the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. The Akal Takht is situated
on the other end of the causeway connected to the Harmandir
Sahib. Its foundation was laid by Guru Hargobind. It was here
that he was ceremonially installed as Guru in 1606. The building
of the Akal Takht opposite the Golden Temple has a special
meaning. While the Golden Temple stands for spiritual guidance
the Akal Takht symbolizes the dispensing of justice and temporal
activity. During the day the Guru Granth Sahib is kept in
the Golden Temple, while at night it is kept in the Akal Takht.
Traditionally all Sikh warriors sought blessings here before
going to battle. During the 18th century while Sikhs were
fighting a guerrilla war in the forests they used to gather
at the Akal Takht on special occasions such as Baisakhi and
Diwali. Here the community used to have general meetings and
approve resolutions. The Akal Takht was the oldest of the
Five Takhts, but it was destroyed by the Indian Army during
its military invasion in 1984. It's reconstruction is almost
complete.
Damdama
Sahib is situated in the village of Talwandi Sabo near
Bhatinda. This is where Guru Gobind Singh stayed for nearly
a year and compiled the final edition of the Guru Granth Sahib
known as the Damdama Sahib Bir in 1705.
Keshgarh Sahib is situated at Anandpur. It is considered
the birthplace of the Khalsa. The Khalsa order was founded
here by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. Some of the weapons of
Guru Gobind Singh are displayed here. The most precious of
these is the actual Khanda (double edged sword) used by Guru
Gobind Singh to prepare the amrit (sweet water) used in the
first Khalsa initiation ceremony.
Hazur
Sahib is on the banks of Godavari in Maharashtra. This
is where Guru Gobind Singh left this world. The inner room
of the temple is called Angitha Sahib and is built over the
place where Guru Gobind Singh was cremated in 1708.
Patna
Sahib is situated in Patna, the capital of Bihar. It
was here that Guru Gobind Singh was born in 1666 and spent
his early years before moving to Anandpur. Besides being the
birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, Patna was also honoured by
visits from Guru Nanak as well as Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Akal
Takht literally means Eternal Throne. It is part of
the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. The Akal Takht is situated
on the other end of the causeway connected to the Harmandir
Sahib. Its foundation was laid by Guru Hargobind. It was here
that he was ceremonially installed as Guru in 1606. The building
of the Akal Takht opposite the Golden Temple has a special
meaning. While the Golden Temple stands for spiritual guidance
the Akal Takht symbolizes the dispensing of justice and temporal
activity. During the day the Guru Granth Sahib is kept in
the Golden Temple, while at night it is kept in the Akal Takht.
Traditionally all Sikh warriors sought blessings here before
going to battle. During the 18th century while Sikhs were
fighting a guerrilla war in the forests they used to gather
at the Akal Takht on special occasions such as Baisakhi and
Diwali. Here the community used to have general meetings and
approve resolutions. The Akal Takht was the oldest of the
Five Takhts, but it was destroyed by the Indian Army during
its military invasion in 1984. It's reconstruction is almost
complete.
Damdama
Sahib is situated in the village of Talwandi Sabo near
Bhatinda. This is where Guru Gobind Singh stayed for nearly
a year and compiled the final edition of the Guru Granth Sahib
known as the Damdama Sahib Bir in 1705.
Keshgarh Sahib is situated at Anandpur. It is considered
the birthplace of the Khalsa. The Khalsa order was founded
here by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. Some of the weapons of
Guru Gobind Singh are displayed here. The most precious of
these is the actual Khanda (double edged sword) used by Guru
Gobind Singh to prepare the amrit (sweet water) used in the
first Khalsa initiation ceremony.
Hazur
Sahib is on the banks of Godavari in Maharashtra. This
is where Guru Gobind Singh left this world. The inner room
of the temple is called Angitha Sahib and is built over the
place where Guru Gobind Singh was cremated in 1708.
Patna
Sahib is situated in Patna, the capital of Bihar. It
was here that Guru Gobind Singh was born in 1666 and spent
his early years before moving to Anandpur. Besides being the
birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, Patna was also honoured by
visits from Guru Nanak as well as Guru Tegh Bahadur.
