best gurudwaras in india you must visit

It is one of the most important Gurudwaras in India and is situated in Bidar, Karnataka. The Gurudwara got its name after a popular incident which took place here; according to legends, Guru Nanak was staying on the outskirts of Mardana, where there was shortage of water and despite the efforts of the village people, drinkable water was hard to find. It is believed that Guru Nanak touched a part of the hillside with his toes and removed some debris after which a fountain of sweet water gushed out from there. Today, on the side of the fountain is where the Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib stands. The Gurudwara is thronged by a large number of devotees thrice in a year i.e on Holi, Dusshera and Guru Nanaks Birthday.

Hemkunt Sahib is situated in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and is known for its architecture. Dedicated to the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Sahib, Gurudwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib is located at an altitude of more than 4000mts above sea level. It is a star shaped Gurudwara that has been specially designed keeping in view the prevailing weather and altitude of the place. This particular Sikh worship place remains inaccessible from October to April, and it is only in the month of May that the Sikh pilgrims start coming here. Nestled amidst lofty snow clad mountains, Sri Hemkunt Sahib redefines spirituality.

Built to honour Guru Gobind Sahib, Gurudwara Rewalsar is situated in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. It is believed that the Gurudwara was constructed in the same place where Guru Gobind Sahib met Raja Siddh Sen of Mandi. Situated on a hill, Gurudwara Rewalsar can be recognized from a great distance due to its massive dome. One has to climb 108 stairs to get to this sacred place of worship. At a short distance from here is a Buddhist monastery; thus people who visit the monastery like to pay homage to Rewalasar Gurudwara as well.

Situated near Una Town in Himachal Pradesh, Dera Baba Bharbhag is dedicated to Gurbarbhag Singh. Locally, this sacred shrine is called Gurudwara Manji Sahib. It is situated atop a hill and is a popular religious site in the area. Each year a festival called Baba Bharbhag Singh Mela or the Hola Mohalla Fair is held here; the festival is reckoned to have some magical powers. Many people suffering from mental sickness and under the influence of evil spirit visit here in the hope of getting cured from their diseases.

Gurudwara Bhangani Sahib in Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh is rich in history. Associated with the battle of Bhangani, the Gurudwara is seen as the symbol of victory in the war with Raja Bhim Chand. According to legends, Bhangani is the place where the Guru Gobind Singh fought his first battle at the age of twenty. Guru ji defeated Raja Bhim Chand. This Gurudwara was built in the memory of the war and signifies victory and power of the unity of Sikhs. Gurudwara Bhangani Sahib is located amidst a paddy field and looks simply stunning with its white marble work.

Gurudwara Dasvin Patshahi is situated in Nadaun, which is a village in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. This holy place was built in the memory of the second battle fought by Guru Gobind Singh. Legend has it that Guru Gobind Singh helped Raja Bhim Chand to defeat the Mughal Commander in chief Alif Khan. After emerging victorious in the battle, Guru ji stayed in Naduan for nine days (eventually, this is how the place got its name). The present structure of the Gurudwar Dasvin Patshahi was constructed in 1929 by Rai Bahadur Wasakha Singh.

Paur Sahib is situated at Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, and like many other Gurudwaras in India has a legend attached to it. As the story goes, Guru Har Gobind Singh was on a visit to Bilaspur and when he reached this place, his horse started stomping the ground due to which water gushed out of the ground. Today, there is a Gurudwara situated next to this fountain and it is called Gurudwara Paur Sahib.

This Gurudwara was built to commemorate the brave Guru Gobind Singh who decapitated a man eating tiger. Gurudwara Shergarh Sahib is situated in Sirmour district, which is only about 12kms from Paonta Sahib. According to legends, Guru Gobind Singh was in Sirmour to meet Raja Medini Parkash, the Raja of Nahan, Raja Fateh Shah and the Raja of Garhwal, when a villager requested the Guru to save their lives from the man eater. Guru Gobind Singh cut the head off the tiger with a single strike and thus was greatly appreciated. The Gurudwara was then built to remember this brave act of Guru ji.

Popular as Manikaran Sahib, Gurudwara Shri Narayan Hari is situated in Manikaran, which is about 45kms from Kullu. The Gurudwara is the result of 50 years of consistent labour put by Baba Narayan Hari. According to some accounts, Baba Narayan came to Manikaran and started building a Gurudwara, where he constructed a small wooden structure. Several time this Gurudwara had to face local peoples anger, who demolished it each time he started to rebuild it. However, Sant Narayan Hari didnt lose hope and within 50 years constructed a bigger Gurudwara. Today, Manikaran Sahib is one of the most revered Sikh places of worship in India.

Gurudwara Guru Gobind Singh Ji is situated in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. This Gurudwara stands as a symbol of the assurance given by Guru ji to the Raja of Mandi. As per the story goes, Guru Gobind Singh was invited by Raja of Mandi and when the time for him to leave came, the King of Mandi humbly asked Guru ji who will protect Mandi from Aurangzeb; in response to this question, Guru ji aimed his gun at a pitcher floating in the river and fired, the pitcher instead of sinking kept floating. Seeing this, Guru Gobind assured the King of Mandi that like the pitcher floated even after being shot at, so will Mandi remain safe from any attack. A Gurudwara was later constructed here, where this incident took place and one can see some of the belongings of Guru ji here even today.