Famous sikh temples in India
India is the country with different religions and cultures that will win your heart. There are many religions in India such as Hinduism, Jainism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Sikhism. Sikhism is one of the most powerful religions of India .The Sikh religion was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Northern India in the fifteenth century and this religion believes in equality , justice , bravery and community services. All the people following this religion contribute so much to society and always try to help other people. They have sikh temples also known as ‘Gurudwaras’ where they worship and devote their time to their God. If you travel to India and want to have divine experience then visiting the temple is a must because you will feel the positive energy and find inner peace. There are many Gurudwaras in India where you can visit and make your trip more beautiful. I have prepared a list of famous Sikh temples in India which are very remarkable and you should visit during your trip to India to understand their culture better.
Best Sikh Temples in India you must visit
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi
This Sikh temple is a very famous holy place in Delhi and you should not miss visiting this place if you are in Delhi . It was built to honour the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan. Everybody is welcome here irrespective of their caste and religion and they treat everyone equally which everyone should learn from the sikh community. This temple is so beautiful from inside and outside and the atmosphere is so peaceful and quiet . Before entering any Gurudwara , you have to remove your shoes and store them in a rack and also wear something to cover your head. Turbans and Scarfs are also available there to wrap your head before entering into the Main hall. You will see many people volunteering in doing activities like cleaning shoes, making meals, washing utensils, arranging water etc . They also prepare Langar (free food) for everybody. There is also a museum in this temple which you can explore. I visit this place once a week because it is so calm and its positive energy always attracts me. I also love volunteering in those activities in the service of God.
Golden Temple , Amritsar
Gurudwara Harmandir Sahib also known as Golden temple is an incredible place that will touch your heart . It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Sikh people in the world. Its appearance is very attractive because it is encased in gold and is surrounded by a huge holy pond here and the reflection of this temple onto the pond is really wonderful and looks even better at night time. They prepare free food called Langar for everybody and people gather in a dinning hall and sit on the floor and have the food . I suggest you definitely have the langar as it will be a new and great experience for you . You can also attend a beautiful ceremony in the morning called Palki ceremony . You should come and explore this beautiful gem and seek blessings of God with your friends and family and enjoy peaceful moments.
Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib , Uttrakhand
Hemkund Sahib is a notable worship place for everyone and the temple is dedicated to the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Sikh Ji. It is located in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and is surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks . The temple remains open only during the months of June till September because it is covered in snow for the rest of the year. I visited this temple in the month of August and my experience was just magical. Inside the gurudwara , you can listen to devotional music for sometime and pray to god. You will also find a lake near the Gurudwara called ‘Hemkund Lake’ which is a very stunning lake usually covered in snow and the view is mesmerizing. I spent a lot of time sitting at the lake and just admired the beauty of that place. Honestly this sikh temple is astonishing with a scenic view. Thousands of people visit here every year and pay their respect to God and to see the crystal clear water of the lake and enjoy the spiritual journey.
Gurudwara Anandpur Sahib , Punjab
Nested in Punjab this temple is a famous tourist attraction and you will experience pure spiritual bliss when you visit here . This white color temple is constructed so beautifully and is high in spirits . The temple also organizes a festival called ‘Holla Mohalla’ which is a special holi celebration and the whole temple is decorated with thousands of lights , people display martial arts and celebrate the festival with vibrant colors . The atmosphere is so joyful at this time . Other activities and exhibitions are also held throughout the year and you will get to know alot about sikh culture here . It has a Sarovar inside the temple which is considered to be holy and many people take bath also. If you want to do shopping here you can buy bags , jewellery , handicrafts etc and also you can buy Sikh scriptures or books. Do visit here for a divine experience .
Paonta Sahib , Himachal Pradesh
Paonta Sahib is a famous pilgrimage site of India for Sikhs . It is located in Himachal Pradesh on the banks of Yamuna River. It has an incredible story behind it which makes it a very sacred place. It is said that Guru Gobind Singh Ji lived here for four years. There is also a museum which has personal accessories , pens and weapons of Guru Gobind Singh . I think the museum is a great place to learn about the sikhs and you should visit here also after visiting the Gurudwara. You will see a lot of discipline in the Gurudwara and all the places are well organized and clean .
Wherever you go in India you will find many sikh temples and you should visit them and make your vacation special.