Highlights: : Visit the most important and sacred Sikh pilgrimage in this tour.
Day 1 : Delhi Arrive Delhi. Meeting and transfer to the Hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2 : Delhi Early morning visit Bangle Sahib Gurudwara dedicated to the 8th guru – Hari Krishan. Guru. Guru Hari Krishan, the boy prophet, became the eighth Guru of the Sikhs on 1661 A.D. During the short period of this pontificate he guided the Sikhs community with great tact and wisdom in the face of threatening challenges. He sent missionaries to the farthest outpost of the country and inspired the seekers who came to him with eternal truth and the highest mystical and spiritual experiences. Raja Jai Singh dedicated his palace to his sacred memory and since his death it has been the place of worship of the Sikhs and known as Bangla Sahib.
Thereafter visit Gurudwara Rakab Ganj dedicated to Guru Tegh Bahadur: when Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded in Chandni Chowk, the lamenting and wailing crowd surged to have a closer look at the martyred prophet, a man named Bhai Jaita, rushed out of the crowd, and with lighting flash picked up the head of the guru and disappeared into the grief stricken crowd. One of the disciples –Bhai Lakhi shah Vanjara carried away the body of Guru Tegh Bahadur to his residence, the present sight of Rakab Ganj Gurudwara opposite Parliament building, where he reverently put on a pile of sandalwood and set his whole house on fire.
Afternoon visit Gurudwara Sis Ganj: dedicated to Guru Tegh Bahadur who was born in the holy city of Amritsar on 1621. He was the fifth and the youngest son of sixth prophet, Guru Hargobind, and the only one to deservedly ascend the pontiff throne nearly 20 years after his father’s death as Ninth Guru of the Sikhs. He was a great lover of poetry and peace, music and meditation charity and human freedom. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 :Delhi to Amritsar
Early morning visit Nanak Piyao Gurudwara. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, gave to the world a new faith, a new dispensation, which was neither Hinduism nor Islam in its doctrine and spiritual content. Basing the new faith on his inspired vision of god and on his own response to the human and political situation of his times, he organized a distinct Church and gave to a unique religious, social and cultural structure. His nine successors gave a new scripture, the Adi Guru Granth, new religious, cultural and political institutions in the moral and spiritual framework of Guru Nanak’s dynamic ideals.
Establishing the nucleus of his faith in Punjab, Guru Nanak went on long missionary journeys to the East in Assam and Bengal, to the South in Lanka, and to the North in Tibet, and to the West reaching Mecca, Medina and other religious of the Middle East. Thereafter visit some important sites of tourist - Qutab Minar one of the tallest tower of it’s time, Humayun Tomb one of the forerunner of the Taj Mahal, drive past India Gate and President House and other government buildings, Red Fort symbol of mighty Mughal empire, Jama Masjid one of the biggest mosque in India, Chandni Chowk and Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi Memorial). In time transfer to railway station to board the train for Amritsar. Arrive Amritsar and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 - Amritsar
Morning visit the Harmandir Sahib popularly known as The Golden Temple, One of the most fascinating cities of northern India, Amritsar is also one of the most ancient and legendary sites in the Punjab. Accordingly to popular belief – the celebrated epic Ramayana was written in Amritsar and it was here, too, that Sita stayed during the period of her vanavasa (banishment), the twin sons of Lord Rama, were taught the Ramayana. Another legend had it that there is were the whole army of lord Rama was destroyed by his sons.
It is believed that Valaniki’s ashram was within a short distance of the renowned "Pool of Nectar" which was regarded as blessed with miraculous powers of healing. Guru Ram Das must have known-the legendary importance of the place when he sanctified the pool of nectar in the sixteenth century and later built his home here later purchasing the pool and surrounding land excavated the tank further to concreting a shrine at the center. In 1588 A.D. the foundation stone of this temple was laid by the renowned Muslim Sufi divine, Hazrat Mian Mir of Lahore immortalising the centre of the tank which now is known as fabled Hari Mandir or Darbar Sahib and more commonly as the Golden Temple.
Shrines in Golden Temple Complex:
The Golden Temple: as it stands today, with its luminous exterior plated with gold and intricate marble work inside is chiefly the work of Ranjit Singh during early 19th century. He ordered redesigning of the structure and made funds available to hire skilled Muslim architects, masons and wood-carvers from Chaniot, now in Pakistan.
Sikh Museum:
The central Sikh museum is upstairs in the clock tower and comprises a gallery of paintings of telling the story of the Sikhs and their martyrs.
Akal Takht:
Adjacent to the Golden Temple stands the Akal Takht (Immortal Throne). Established by the sixth Sikh Guru. Guru Hargobind, this is the supreme seat of the Sikh religious authority. It is also the repository of the various weapons of the various weapons used by the Gurus. Later feast yourself to the Langer. Afternoon visit Gurudwara Goindwal Sahib is considered the first great Sikh center of pilgrimage located 30 km south-east of Amritsar city. History of these gurudwara goes like that Guru Sri Amar Das planned to construct a 'Baoli' (step well) with descending steps, in Goindwal. He purchased some land and laid the foundation of the 'Baoli' with due religious ceremonies. His devoted Sikhs joined in the work on self-help basis and many willingly came forward to provide food for the volunteers engaged in the digging operation. The Baoli had eighty-four steps. The Guru decreed that whoever should attentively repeat Japji on every step, should escape from the travail of wandering through eighty four lakhs births and rebirths.
Thus the Baoli at Goindwal Sahib, became an object of pilgrimage to Hindus as well as Sikhs. This Gurudwara is considered the first great Sikh center of pilgrimage. The entrance to the Baoli has been artistically decorated. There is a row of frescoes, depicting scenes from Sikh history. A dip in the Baoli is considered most holy. On finishing your visit to Gurudwara Goindwal Sahib visit your last gurudwara of the day Gurudwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib is a Gurudwara established by the fifth guru, Guru Arjan Dev. It is situated in the city of Tarn Taran Sahib. It has the distinction of having the largest sarovar (Water pond) of all the gurudwaras. Also it is famous for the month gathering of pilgrims on day of Amavas (No moon night). It is originally near Harmandar Sahib in Amritsar Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 - Amritsar to Ludhiana ( 142 km)
Early morning depart for Muktsar a small town, 70 km from Faridkot, to visit an important pilgrimage centre Gurudwara Shahidganj built in the memory of the forty Muktas, or martyrs. Thereafter proceed for Bhatinda one of the oldest towns in Panjab and visit 11th century fort which saw the fortunes of Manya chieftain fall and rise. India’s first women ruler, the ill fated Razia Sultan (1236 - 1240), was imprisoned in the Bhatinda fort by her enemies before her execution. Today, Bhatinda is a leading food grain and cotton centre.
Thirty-five Kilometer South of Bhatinda is Dam Dama Sahib, an important pilgrimage centre associated with Guru Gobind Singh. Thereafter depart for Ludhiana. Arrive Ludhiana and check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 - Ludhiana to Chandigarh (130 km)
Morning depart for Chandigarh by surface, en route visit Gurudwara Charan Kamal in the village of Maehli Wara 46 Km away and Manji Sahib 11 Km away, both are sacred spots for Sikhs. Proceed to Sirhind – standing amidst the ruins of beautiful mosques and tombs, Sirhind was an important city during the Mughal period visit Fatehgarh Sahib Gurudwara. The Fatehgarh Sahib Gurudwara marks the spot where Guru Gobind Singh‘s Younger sons were bricked alive. Not far from the Gurudwara is the Rauza Sharif, Sharif of Hazrat Mujaddid–adf–i-sani. To
the southeast of the city is Aam Khas Bagh, a carvan serai of the Mughal emperors. This place is also the sight of extensive archaeological interest. Thereafter, continue drive to Chandigarh. Arrive Chandigarh and check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 - Chandigarh
Morning proceed on an excursion to Anandpur Sahib (70 Km): Anandpur Sahib, the abode of peace has a number of historical Gurudwaras. It was here tenth or the last Sikh Guru Govind Singh gave the Sikhs a new form of identity by baptizing Khalsa, the pure ones. On the day following Holi devotees flock to Anandpur Sahib to participate in the Hola Mohlla celebrations re- enchanting past Sikh battles with ancient arms and weapons., Afternoon visit the world’s highest straight gravity Dam Bakha Nangal. Return to Chandigarh in the late afternoon. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 - Chandigarh to Delhi
Drive to Paonta Sahib (120 Km): situated on the bank of Yamuna River on the border, Paonta Sahib is linked with Gobind Singh, the 10th of the Guru who lived here. At Bangani (23kms away) he achieved a great military victory when his forces defeated the combined might of 22 hill country kingdoms. His weapons are displayed in the town and his Gurudwara still overlooks the river. The historic Gurudwaras commemorates his stay and interestingly the waters of the Yamuna fall silent below this, which happened at the Guru’s behest. The word Paonta means a space for a foot hold. Drive to Delhi (170 Km) on finishing the visit. Arrive Delhi and check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 - Depart Delhi In time transfer to international airport to board the flight for onward destination.
