Devotion towards the almighty is the soul of Bharat. Though the nation accommodates myriad faith and religion, Punjab has been on the forefront attracting tourists on account of its shrines and places of worship.

Beckoning visitors with its rich and profound offerings

The three takhts of Sikhism- Shri Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar, Takht Shri Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib and Takht Shri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo are the centres of Sikh Faith and witness a huge turnout of devotees from all over the world. The Takhts have their own history and intriguing stories to tell.
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji laid the foundation of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib at Amritsar. He was assisted by Baba Budha Ji, Bhai Gurdas Ji, Bhai Sahlo Ji and other disciples. The city also has Durgiana Mandir and Jallianwala Bagh that includes the museum and memorial of the martyrs.
Anandpur Sahib was founded in June 1665 by the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur. Tenth Guru Gobind Singh Ji laid the foundation of Khalsa with five disciples known as ‘Panj Pyaras’. Guru Gobind Singh Ji constructed five forts- Keshgarh, Anandgarh, Lohgarh, Holgarh and Fatehgarh.
The complex of Keshgarh has resting places for pilgrims, a museum showcasing relics of Sikh history, and the inevitable langar hall wherein pilgrims can have the Parsad and also offer their services (Sewa). Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the final version of Guru Granth Sahib, the perpetual Guru of the Sikhs, at Damdama Sahib. The Takhts are the centre point of Sikhism, where lies the pivot of their faith, strength and devotion.

The religious spaces on the other side

Gurdwara Janam Asthan also known as Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, is of great spiritual significance for being the birth place of Guru Nanak Dev ji, the founder of Sikhism. Located in Pakistan’s Punjab province, the shrine is 75 km from Lahore city. The Gurdwara is believed to have been built by Baba Dharam Chand Ji, the grandson of the first Guru in the sixteenth century.

How can one not talk about Sri Kartarpur Sahib that became the centre of attraction after the Indian government initiated the Kartarpur corridor. First Guru Nanak Dev ji stayed here for years assembling the Sikh community, farming and serving langar. He left the mortal world at this place, which now stands as Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, the most revered and worshipped place in the Pakistani side of Punjab.

Innumerable tourists from different faiths visit these shrines located in Punjab, the territory spread across India and Pakistan and benefit both spiritually and intellectually. There may be a thousands of reason to settle abroad, but what binds the Punjabis worldwide is the religious, spiritual and cultural ethos shaped by the ‘Bani’ and ‘Sikhya’ of the legendary and most revered Gurus.