Sikh Pilgrimages In India- The Sanctified Sources For Acquiring Emancipation!

"I have fallen in love with the True Lord. He does not die, He does not come and go. In separation, He is not separated from us; He is pervading and permeating amongst all. He is the Destroyer of the pain and suffering of the meek. He bears True Love for His servants."

-Shri Guru Granth Sahib

Sikhism, a monotheistic religion founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Punjab, is the youngest religion in the world. It was founded in the 16th century and has roots linked with both the Islamic and Hindu Religion. The Gurus and their followers consolidated and spread the Sikhism in South Asia. There are many Sikh Pilgrimages situated in India, to solemnize various aspects of Sikhism. Each pilgrimage is associated with a legend linking with the birth and strengthening of Sikhism.

To have a deep understanding of the prosperous past of Sikh religion, is it is significant to explore the holy shrines of Sikhs. There is an abundance of Sikh Pilgrimages in India. Some of the most popular pilgrimages in India are as follows:

• Golden Temple: Golden Temple is situated in the spiritual city of Amritsar in Punjab. Amritsar is the birthplace of Guru Amar Das Ji (Third Guru of Sikhs). Due to Golden Temple, Amritsar is considered as the holiest place of worship in Sikh religion. This temple is an emblem of brotherhood, equality and humanity. Some of the Sikh followers call it as prestigious as the Vatican City. The four gates of the holy site are opened at four different directions. It signifies that the devotees belonging to different classes are welcomed here uniformly. Among all the Sikh pilgrim places in India, Golden Temple is a must visit.
• Patna Sahib: The holy place of Takht Patna Sahib is the birthplace of Shri Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhs. This place is regarded as the core center for the spread of Sikhism in the eastern part of India. This Sikh shrine is visited by a massive number of devotees throughout the year. The wonderful Patna Sahib shrine is positioned on the bank of river Ganga in the appealing city of Patna. Takht Shri Patna Sahib is the second most visited and admired Takhts of the Sikhs.
• Goindwal Sahib: Goindwal Sahib is located in the district of Taran Taran, Punjab. It is the first Sikh pilgrimage and therefore, holds an enormous value among the pilgrimages of Sikhism. During the Guruship of Guru Amar Das in the 16th century, Goindwal became a significant center of the Sikh religion. The Goindwal Sahib Gurudwara is considered as the pride of Punjab and is visited by innumerable devotees round the year. There is a massive Langar organized in the Gurudwara everyday, which provides the food to to a huge number of pilgrims.
• Hemkund Sahib: Hemkund Sahib is a prominent Sikh place of worship, situated in the Chamoli District of Uttarakhand. The pilgrimage is enclosed by the spellbinding hills and all the summits of these hills is known as sacred Nishan Sahib. Hemkund Sahib is a renowned Sikh Pilgrimage having a special mention in the holy books like Dasham Granth and Ramayana. The sacred area of Hemkund offers a tranquil environment that makes the devotees witness the divine vibes of the sacrosanct region.

These Sikh pilgrimage sites in India fill the hearts and minds of devotees with complete serenity and spirituality. These pilgrimages are the perfect answer for the tourists in the search of solder with the divine!

The author is a travel fanatic, she loves to share her travel experience through her articles.