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Hemkund Sahib
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One of the most revered of all Sikh Shrines, the Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, the Worlds Highest
Gurudwara, situated at an altitude of 4,329 mts above sea level,
on the bank of a glacial lake
Hemkund (Lok Pal), marks the place where Guru Gobind Singh the 10th and the last Guru
unified with God after prolonged meditation. The shrine is encircled by seven snow clad
peaks and their associated glaciers. Streams from Hati Parvat and Sapt Rishi Peaks feed the
lake and a
small stream called Himganga flows out of his lake.
According to the Holy Granth Sahib, it is believed that Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru of
the sikhs recounts that in a previous life he
had meditated on the shores of a lake surrounded by seven snowcapped mountains. Hemkund
Sahib, Sikh pilgrims have decided, is that holy lake where there 10th Guru has meditated.
The Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara is an imposing star shaped structure of stone and masonry at the
edge
of lake Lok Pal 2 km. in circumference whose cristal clear water mirrors the image of snow
clad Sapt Shring Peaks (5500 mts).
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Ponta Sahib
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Ponta Sahib is situated on the river Yamuna, on the Border with Uttrakhand. It is linked
with Guru Gobind Singh the 10th Sikh Guru who lived here. At Bhangani, 23 Km. away, he
achieved a great military victory when his forces defeated the combined might of 22
hill-country kingdom. His weapons are displayed in the town and his Gurudwara still
overlooks the river.
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Anandpur Sahib
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Anandpur Sahib, the holy city of Bliss, as the name translates, is the second most
importaqnt centre of Sikh religion. Its foundation was
laid by the ninth Guru,Teg Bahadur Sahib, in 1664 AD. From here eleven years later, he left
for Delhi to the court of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb to plead for greater religious tolerance
and an end to religious persecution. Here his severed head was brought to his son
and family. It was here the Khalsa, or the Pure, was born under the leadership of the tenth
Guru, Gobind Singh Sahab, on 30 March, 1699.
The important places of interest are: Gurudwara Sri Sis Ganj built overthe site where the
severed head of Guru Teg Bhadur Sahib was
cremated; Gurudwara Sri Kesgarh Sahib standing at the place where the five brave followers
of Guru Gobind Singh offered their heads and the
Khalsa Panth was born (it is also one of the five seats of religious authority), Gurudwara
Damdama Sahib marking the site where Gobind
Singh was proclaimed the tenth Guru; various forts and fortresses; and the museum housed in
the Gurudwara Keshgarh Sahib displaying some of
the weapons and arms associated with Guru Gobind Singh and others.
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Amritsar
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Amritsar is the most holy city for the Sikh community where
life is influnced by the Golden
Temple, their most important shrine. Economically it's the showpiece of the prosperity and
wealth of Punjab.
Important S/S includes visit to Golden Temple - the holy shrine where the holy tank
"sarover" was completed by Guru Arjan who also built the Golden Temple " Harmandir" in the
center of the tank, Jallianwala Bagh - near to Golden temple,is a monument dedicated to
hundreds of martyrs of a massacre in 1919 and Wagha Border - it's an interesting experience,
especially at the sunset while retreat takes place when Indian and Pakistani troops put up
a spectacular display.
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Nanakmatta
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Nanakmatta, a place of great religious intrest for the Sikhs, lies on the Khatima - Tanakpur
road. It is believed that Guru Nanak Dev, the first Guru had visited this place on his way
to Kailash Parvat in 1515 A.D. Nearby is a Gurudwara and the lake called Nanak Sagar. This
lake provides ample opportunities for various water sports.
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