Destinations Covered: Amritsar – Sultanpur Lodhi – Gurdaspur – Bhatinda – Chandigarh – Anandpur Sahib
Kerala Tour Duration: 06 Nights / 07 Days
Sikh Pilgrimage Tour – Amritsar is known for the most sanctified sanctorum of the Sikh faith, the beautiful Harmandir Sahib. It is located in the centre of a lake, or “sarovar” and is supposed to contain nectar, or “amrit”. The Golden Temple, as it is more popularly known, is gold-plated, and is artistically embellished with mirror and marble inlay work.
The fourth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Ram Das, initiated the construction of the temple which was completed by his successor Guru Arjan Dev in 1601. The Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikh religion is brought from the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs every morning and returned at night.
Sikh Pilgrimage Tour
Day 1 Arrive in Amritsar
Arrive in Amritsar and check into the hotel.
Relax or explore the markets and indulge in the delectable cuisine of Amritsar. Option to visit Ram Bagh Museum, palatial residence of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Return to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2 In Amritsar
Post breakfast, visit the Golden Temple for a “darshan”, Gurdwara Baba Atal Sahib and the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial.
The Jallianwala Bagh Memorial outside the temple honours those who lost their lives in the massacre on April 13, 1919. Other places worth visiting in the city are the Durgiana temple and the Ram Bagh Museum, ex-residence of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Return to hotel.
Post lunch; option to rest or proceed to Wagah border to see the retreat ceremony, 35 km
Return to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 3 Amritsar – Dera Baba Nanak – Baba Bakala
Post early breakfast, depart for Dera Baba Nanak near Gurdaspur, 55 km
This was the home of Guru Nanak along the left bank of the river Ravi, before he departed for his heavenly abode A ‘chola’ worn by Guru Nanak during his visit to Mecca and Madina is preserved here
After darshan and lunch, return to Amritsar via Baba Bakala.
Here, Guru Tegh Bahadur meditated and was pronounced as the ninth Guru of the Sikhs.
Overnight stay in Amritsar.
Day 4 Amritsar – Tarn Taran Sahib – Goindwal Sahib
Post breakfast, proceed for Gurudwara Tarn Taran Sahib, 22 km from Amritsar. It was dedicated to Guru Ram Das by Guru Arjan Dev in 1590. Located on the banks of the tank which is larger than the sarovar at Harmandir Sahib, it has a copper plated dome.
After darshan and lunch depart for Gurudwara Sri Baoli Sahib. This was the first center for the Sikhs set up by Guru Amar Das, and part of the Goindval complex. It is an 8 metre wide open well which can be accessed through a covered flight of 84 stairs.
Proceed to Gurudwara Sri Ber Sahib and Gurudwara Sri Hatt Sahib, both in Sultanpur Lodhi.
The Gurudwara Ber Sahib is located at the site where Guru Nanak received a divine message from God, on one of the mornings he bathed at before meditation. He planted a jujube tree at the spot, and started his religious preaching from thereon.
Gurudwara Sri Hatt Sahib is located on the premises where Guru Nanak worked as a young man for Nawab Daulat Khan Lodi.
Overnight stay in Tarn Taran.
Day 5 Tarn Taran – Bhatinda – Fatehgarh Sahib/Chandigarh
Post early breakfast, depart for Bhatinda, 150 km.
Visit Damdama Sahib where Guru Gobind Singh spent nine months working on the Adi Granth, and made it the centre of the Sikh religion
Post lunch, depart for Sirhind, 205 km.
Overnight stay in Sirhind.
Day 6 Sirhind – Anandpur Sahib
After early breakfast, visit Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib, Sirhind. It honours the tragic end of the two young sons of Guru Gobind Singhji for refusing the local official, Wazir Khan of Kunjpura to convert to Islam.
After darshan, leave for Anandpur Sahib 130 km.
Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, is the birthplace of the Khalsa. Guru Gobind 10th Guru of the Sikh religion baptized five of his disciples here and bestowed the title of “Singh” or lion, to them.
Darshan at Anandpur Sahib.
Overnight stay in Anandpur Sahib.
Day 7 Anandpur Sahib – Amritsar/Chandigarh/onward destination
Post breakfast, leave for either Amritsar/Chandigarh or onward destination
Tour ends
Amritsar has an international airport, with flights connecting it to London and Birmingham. The city has excellent road and rail links to all districts of Punjab and the rest of India.