Foot Steps of The Guru's-5 Takhts & Sikh Temples

Sikhism in India

The word 'Sikh' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'shishya' which means a disciple, a learner, and a seeker of truth. A Sikh believes in One God and the teachings of the Ten Gurus, embodied in the Eternal Shabad Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. A Sikh also partake Amrit, the Sikh Baptism. Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the beginning of the sixteenth century. The succeeding nine Gurus nurtured, developed and preached his ideas and teachings. The pontificates of the nine successors of Guru Nanak were only the extensions of Guru Nanak's work. It is significant to note that five of the successors of Guru Nanak also composed under the name 'Nanak' implying thereby that there is no difference between the compositions of the successor and the founder.

Gurudwara - The Sikh Place of Worship

Gurudwara (the door or abode of the Guru) is the name given to the Sikh place of worship, commonly addressed as Sikh temple in the western world. In the Gurudwara, the Sikh scripture is recited and sung. Guru Granth Sahib is placed on a high palanquin under a canopy in the middle of one end of the hall. The Gurudwara is a place where the "Word of the Guru" reigns supreme, not only in its recitation but also in practice. All the ceremonies relating to birth, initiation, marriage, death and celebration of festivals centers around the Gurudwara.

Day 01: Arrive Delhi - Amritsar
Our services will start with a boarding at Safdarjung railway station to board the train "In the Footsteps of The Guru" at 1900 Hrs. Board the train in Delhi or join us in Amritsar. Overnight on board.

Day 02: Amritsar 
Amritsar – a city with a serene presence of Golden Temple - a major pilgrimage place and holy city of Sikhs, Amritsar radiates a spiritual calmness and faith where people just bow their heads in sheer reverence.

The spiritual temporal centre of Sikh culture, Amritsar derives its name from the name of pool around the Golden Temple. The "holy pool of nectar" (Amrit: elixir; Sar: (short for Sarovar / lake).

Globally renowned for Golden Temple and for the tragedy of Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar is one of the liveliest pilgrimage destinations in India

Visit Jalianwala Bagh, where during the British rule in India, General Dyer opened fire on innocent people causing a grave massacre. This place, whose walls bear the bullet marks of this tragedy, is now a national monument.

Visit the "Ranjit Panorama". The main attraction of the panorama is a gigantic 12 meters tall and 100 meters long panoramic painting depicting six major battle expeditions of the Maharaja. The battle expeditions depicted in the painting are supplemented by large circular foreground diorama displaying numerous mannequins of prominent warriors, soldiers, animals, weapons and so on. A specially designed creative illumination of the large painting and the foreground diorama is supported by battle - field.

Take an excursion to the Wagah on the Indo-Pak border to witness the ‘Change of Guard’ ceremony. Everyday through out the year, just before sunset, a flag lowering ceremony takes place at the Wagah Border between India and Pakistan.

The ceremony lasts for around 45 minutes in total. It starts with high patriotic spirits from both sides of the border. Soldiers march towards the gate at the border, which is thrown open when they reach there. The soldiers salute each other and start lowering the flags.

The flags are lowered at the same time. The soldiers retrieve and fold the flags, the gate slams shut, and a trumpet sounds the end of the ceremony. The soldiers then return with their country's respective flag.

Visit "The Golden Temple" (Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Sri Darbar Harmandir Sahib), situated in Amritsar, it is the most sacred Temple of Sikhs. Te place is also a symbol of the magnificence and strength of Sikh people all over the world the evolution of Darbar Sahib, has entwined the history and ideology of Sikhism.

Overnight in Amritsar

Day 03: Amritsar - Sirhind - Anandpur Sahib
Board the train in Amritsar in the morning to Sirhind.

Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib is a complex consisting of several important shrines linked to the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh ji. It is located about 5 Kms north of Sirhind in a district called Fatehgarh Sahib and marks the sad site of the execution in 1705 of the two younger sons of the tenth Sikh master at the behest of Wazir Khan of Kunjpura, the faujdar of Sirhind.

Drive past all the important places of Sirhind and later enjoy the lunch at Aam Khas Bagh. It was built for the exclusive use of the Emperor Shah Jahan. The Royal couple used to stay here while going to and coming back from Lahore. There was adequate number of palaces for the comfortable stay of the Mughal Emperors. A close scrutiny of the remnants of the palaces clearly indicates that there was a perfect system of air-conditioning in the palaces and the monument is called 'SARAD KHANA'.

Post lunch, drive to Anandpur Sahib (82 Kms / 02 Hrs)

Arrive Anandpur Sahib and visit Virasat-E-Khalsa Heritage Center - is inspired by the rich natural and architectural heritage of Sri Anandpur Sahib, while also drawing heavily from Sikh and regional architecture. Contrary to the tradition of domes which crown the sacred Sikh sites, the roofs of the Museum are concave-shaped receptors facing the sky. Sheathed in stainless steel, they reflect the sun’s light towards the Gurudwara and the Fort.

* Tea and coffee will be served during the visit. One can use the facilities available at the Heritage Centre.

In the evening, visit the main Takht of Sri Keshgarh Sahib Gurudwara for “Shastra Darshan”. It is the birthplace of Khalsa. The order of the Khalsa was founded here by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. The weapons of Guru Gobind Singh are displayed here. The most precious of these is actual “Khanda” (double edged sword) used by Guru Gobind Singh to prepare “Amrit” used in the first Khalsa initiation ceremony.

Conclude your tour with a dinner in Anandpur Sahib.

In the evening, return to the train station for departure to Bhatinda. Overnight on board.

Day 04: Bhatinda
Arrive Bhatinda railway station. After quick wash & change, enjoy leisurely breakfast at hotel in Bhatinda and you will get an opportunity to visit the holy “Takht Sri Damdama Sahib".

"Takht Sri Damdama Sahib" holds great significance for Sikhs for it is the place where the guru sought rest and refuge during his battles with the Mughals. Guru Gobind Singhji stayed in Damdama Sahib for nine months and it was here that he worked on the Adi Granth. He made Damdama the center for propagating the Sikh faith and called it 'Khalsa De Takht' or Throne of the Khalsa. He had a special stamp issued bearing the inscription 'Amal Sahai, Guru Gobind Singh Ji Ki Jagha Takht Damdama Ji' clearly demonstrating the importance of the place. This stamp was used on all the important documents issued by the Guru from Damdama Sahib.

Langar at the Gurudwara Sahib.

In the evening, enjoy refreshments on board and later train departs to Delhi.

Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 05: Delhi - Patna - Nanded
Arrive Delhi railway station early in the morning and transfer to Delhi airport to board the charter flight at approx. 0700 Hrs to Patna. Arrive Patna airport and proceed to the hotel for quick wash and change. Proceed for the lunch at the revolving restaurant in Patna. Post lunch, visit of Patna Sahib.

"Takht Sri Patna Sahib" The Gurudwara at Patna Sahib was founded in remembrance of the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh. This Gurudwara too, was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839), the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, on the banks of Ganges River in Patna in Bihar state.

Darshan of “Guru Ka Bagh” Gurudwara and,” Gurudwara Gayaghat”

Transfer to Patna airport to board the Charter flight to Nanded.

Arrive Nanded and transfer to Gurudwara.

Laser Show at Guru Ka Bagh, Hazur Sahib (SPECIAL SHOW CAN BE ARRANGED DEPENDING UPON ARRIVAL TIME)

Overnight in a Sarais at Hazur Sahib, Nanded

* Charter timings are subject to change and will be finalized after the approval of DGCA

Day 06: Nanded - Delhi
Morning is at leisure. Visit "Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib", principal shrine and Gurudwara Kangan Sahib, Shikarghar, Guru Ka Bagh

"Takht Sri Hazur Sahib" marks the site where Guru had his camp in 1708 AD after the departure of the Emperor Bahadur Shah. The tenth Guru held his court and congregation here and this shrine is erected on the very site of his own tent where he was convalescing after being attacked by assailants, where from he rose to heaven along with his horse Dilbag. Langar at Hazur Sahib. Transfer to Nanded airport to board the flight to Delhi via Aurangabad. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 07: Delhi
Start your tour with a visit to Sheeshganj Gurudwara, located at Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi was built on the place where Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb beheaded the ninth Sikh Guru Shri Tegh Bahadur in 1675. ‘Shish’ literally means ‘the head‘. The Guru was martyred along with three of his disciples, for protesting against forced conversion of Kashmiri Hindus by Aurangzeb.

It is said that his followers secretly took the Guru’s head to Anandpur Sahib and his body was taken for cremation to a house which is today known as Gurudwara Rakab Ganj. Shish Ganj is a prominent pilgrim center of the Sikh community and it is equally revered by the Hindus.

At the place of his martyrdom, stands Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib as a symbol of unique sacrifice made by the Guru.

Thereafter, visit another Gurudwara - Bangla Sahib, is one of the most popular places of worship in Delhi. Its gold-plated dome and white facade towers are impressive. On holidays especially, this place is packed with people. The Gurudwara is built on the site of a house where Guru Harkishen Dev, the eight Guru of the Sikhs, had stayed when he visited Delhi in 1664. The tank, which you can still see in the compound was apparently blessed by the Guru himself and can cure people of small pox and cholera. Enthusiasts of Sikh history can visit the Baba Baghel Singh Museum within the Gurudwara complex.

From Delhi board connecting flight for your onward destination or transfer to Delhi railway station to board the train to your desired destination.