Amritsar, the city draped in the spirituality, rich heritage and glorious past is also the holiest city of Sikhs residing all over the globe. Religion or faith has no bar here. Even if you are an atheist still the sanctity of this holy city founded by 4th Guru of Sikhs, Guru Ram Das Ji will touch your heart. Hailed as the “Home of all Virtues” (Sifti Da Ghar), Amritsar has an amazing showcase of composite culture and secular heritage.
Not just the Gurdwaras, Amritsar being a secular city has numerous number of Hindu temples and some Mosques here that makes the city a unique blend of different cultures and religions. No matter the city is popular all around for the Golden Temple that is the central point of the Sikh faith, the Hindu temples and Mosques here have their own stories to tell.
Being a heritage city as well as a city always in the bucket list of travelers, the historic sites here that have gone through the renovation and beautification works under the HRIDAY scheme help the tourists experience the best of the city and return with memories worth lifetime.
Famous Gurdwaras in Amritsar
1. Golden Temple
Also known as Swarna Mandir or Darbaar Sahib is the center point of attraction for the tourists. Having recently gained the admiration of the most visited place in the world with approximately 1 lakh tourists each day. The first brick for the foundation of the shrine was placed in 1589 by Sai Mir Mian Mohammed, following the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism who always believed in unity and one God (Ek-Onkar) irrespective of religions.
2. Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh Ji
The Gurdwara is named after the valiant Sikh warrior, Baba Deep Singh Ji who was martyred here in 1757. The gurudwara is located just near the Chattiwind Gate, one of the 12 gates of Amritsar. Mythologically it is believed that during the conflict with Durrani, the Afghan invader and Sikhs lead by Baba Deep Singh Ji, Baba Ji’s head was cleft but he still continued to fight. Jassa Singh Ramgharia was the one who constructed the memorial for this famed martyr which then turned into this Gurdwara.
3. Gurdwara Chheharta Sahib
This is located in the town on the outskirts of the iconic city of Amritsar called Chheharta. The Gurdwara is related to fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji who constructed a large well in the area for the birth of his son. The well being a giant one required 6 Persian wheels to operate it, that is why the town got its name from these 6 wheels, 6 means “Che” in Punjabi and Hart means wheel. Though the well is now covered
4. Beer Baba Budha Sahib Ji
Baba Buddha Ji, a prime figure in Sikh history and the only person who lived the life to see five Sikh Gurus at his time. The shrine is located at the place where Baba Ji spent most of his life. He was the first priest after Adi Granth, which later got expanded into Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the holy book of Sikhs was installed in the Darbaar Sahib.
During his childhood, he was called “Buddha” by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and was blessed with long life by him. Though it was a coincidence or not but Budha Ji lived for 125 years before he took his last breath.
5. Gurdwara Saragarhi Sahib
This Gurdwara marks the commemoration of the 21 Sikh soldiers who fought bravely against 10000 Afghans in the famous Battle of Saragarhi. The Gurdwara was designed by the celebrated architect Bhai Ram Singh Ji, who also designed the most famous educational institution of Punjab, Khalsa College.
6. Gurdwara Quila Shri Lohgarh Sahib
Got its name from the gate in which it is situated that is Lohgarh Gate, which is also one of the 12 gates of the once walled city. It is related to the sixth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Hargobind Singh Ji. This Gurdwara was earlier called Lohgarh Fort where Guru Arjun Dev Ji used to stay. The present gurudwara stands on the ruined mound of the fort which was razed by Ahmed Shah Durrani who also invaded Amritsar and recklessly destroyed the Golden Temple. So if you are visiting Amritsar, do have this in your list.
7. Gurdwara Shri Kotha Sahib
Situated in the village Vallah Sahib, this Gurdwara is also called Vallah Sahib. Every year a fair is held at the premises of this holy shrine. The shrine relates itself to the life of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, father of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Guru Teg Bahadur Ji stayed here for 17 days and the dwellers of this village welcomed him and organized a fair in due respect to him to rejoice the happiness they felt in hospitality of him.
8. Gurdwara Pipli Sahib
When Guru Arjun Dev Ji was to be bestowed the place of the next Sikh Guru, the Sikh devotees from miles away wanted to come and have a glimpse of their next Guru. But as they got tired and couldn’t reach Golden Temple, they made a camp quite away from it. The newly enthroned Sikh Guru came to know about it and he with his wife prepared “Langar” and went to serve the devotees who had come all this way. The place where the devotees stayed and Guru Ji served them is marked as Gurdwara Pipli Sahib. This holy Sikh place is situated at a walking distance from Amritsar Junction.
9. Bhai Shalo Ji Da Toba
This shrine is located near the Guru Ka Mahal, where Baba Atal Rai Ji and also Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, the 9th Sikh Guru were born. The architectural features of the gurudwara are very much identical to the gurudwaras built during the times of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji.
Bhai Shalo Ji was a famous Sikh saint during that time and has lived enough to witness the life of three Sikh Gurus. After meeting Guru Ram Das Ji and getting influenced by his teachings, Bhai Ji started doing selfless services and meditations in the name of almighty.
It is believed that anyone who baths in the Sarovar of the gurudwara will be blessed with a son and any person who seeks to have a healthy life would get healthy after bathing in this pond.
Famous Hindu Temples in Amritsar
1. Mata Lal Devi Mandir
This Hindu Temple relates itself to the story of a Female Saint – Mata Lal Devi Ji, who was so blessed with some magical powers that it is believed that she has a cure for all the problems. Built-in 1989, in Rani Ka Bagh, amidst the populated residential colony it is a sacred Hindu sanctuary that is a replica of famous sacred Vaishnodevi Temple at Katra. During “Navrataas” it remains flooded with the devotees all around the clock. So if you are looking to have a spiritual tour in Amritsar do visit this place.
2. Durgiana Temple
Originally built in the 16th century, the temple was renovated in 1921 by Guru Harsai Mai Kapoor in a similar architectural style as that of Golden Temple. According to the Hindu mythology Lava-Kush, the two sons of Lord Rama & Devi Sita bounded Hanuman Ji after he challenged the horse of the Ashvamedha yajna. You will also find the idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu here. At present, the surrounding of the temple is under renovation since 2013 and will be completed soon and will prove to be an avid example of its architecture in the Holy city of Amritsar.
3. Shivala Bagh Bhaiyan Mandir
It was originally built and maintained by migrant workers of UP (residents of UP are colloquially called Bhaiya), over time the temple came to be known as Bhaiyan Da Shivala Mandir. As the name displays, this temple holds the idols of Lord Shiva who is also known as Mahadeva.
4. Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal
The temple is dedicated to Maharishi Valmiki who is believed to have inscribed the great Hindu epic, Ramayana here only. Devotees and priests explain this Sthal as a birthplace of Luv-Kush. The holy pond known as Sarovar is supposedly built by Hanuman Ji for Sita Devi during her exile of 14 years.
5. ISKCON Temple
A small Hindu temple that is worth your visit when you are in Amritsar. The shrine is located near the Golden Temple and is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha. Have a spiritual time during the daily prayers or Sunday Love Feats here with more chanting and have tempting free meal after it.
6. Maa Bhadrakali Mandir
Maa Bhadrakali is known to be the fiercest form of Hindu Goddess. The Hindu idols of Bhadrakali Maa show her having three eyes and several hands in which various weapons are there to kill demons. This temple in Amritsar gets crowded during the Bhadrakali Mela.
7. Gopal Mandir
“Gopal” is the other name of Lord Krishna and as the name suggests it is dedicated to him, is situated on Majitha Road. Though during any Hindu festival like Shivratri or Janamashtami the place is fully crowded with the devotees and various food stalls are installed near the temple which attracts people of all religions.
8. Thakurdwara Dariana Mal
Situated deep inside the city, it is a Krishna Temple situated by a rich businessman named Dariana Mal out of his curiosity to bless this city with a Vishnu Temple. The presiding deity in these temples is Laddoo Gopal – the Baby Avtar of Lord Krishna.
You may also choose to visit the place in our Amritsar Heritage Walking Tour
Famous Mosque in Amritsar
1. Khairuddin Mosque
Amritsar has displayed its secularism by preserving more than 100 years of old mosques quite brilliantly. One such example of that is The Jama Masjid Khairrudin mosque which is probably the largest mosque in Amritsar, situated in the middle of Hall Bazaar.
It is believed that in 1876 when Mohammad Khairuddin came to Amritsar, he liked the piousness of the city and thought of settling here. For the same, he built this masjid here and became the first priest or Imaam or Maulvi and imparted the knowledge of Muslim religion here to the people of the city and to people of this religion. It is since then the masjid is giving shelter to all the Muslims here.
2. Jama Masjid Jaan Mohammed
It is said to be the mosque aging for more than 150 years in Amritsar. The mosque is situated in Katra Ahluwalia, Hall Bazaar near the Partition Museum. The place is a hidden gem and a part of the rich heritage of Amritsar’s religious past.
3. Masjid Muhammad Shah Ahle Hadees
The oldest mosque in Amritsar located at Dharam Singh Market at the Heritage Street. The mosque is said to be built 200 years back by Muhammad Shah Ji. The Masjid is truly a hidden shrine in the narrow bylanes of the old city.
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