The world is abode of many faiths, cultures and religions,  which are kept live and lived simultaneously by its followers. Chief among the religions of the world are Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Zoroastrism, Judaism and many more. One of the great religions is Sikhism which is considered 5th largest religion in the world in terms of the followers. Sikhism was founded during the medieval period by Guru Nanak Dev and the whole religion is based on the preaching, teachings and sermons of Guru Nanak Dev and the nine gurus who followed him one after another. The term Sikhism is rooted in the Sanskrit word Sishya which means a follower to the teacher or a Guru. Thus Sikh is a follower or disciple of the discipline and the discipline itself came to be known as Sikhism. Today, the number of followers of the religion is around 23 million. Sikh visits the Gurudwaras, which are a place of worship for the Sikh people.

Numbers of gurudwaras are situated in different parts of the world, each gurudwara speaking its own story about its importance. Like the followers of other religions, Sikh pilgrims from distant places come in huge numbers to Gurudwaras to achieve solace, peace and for soul-cleansing. A number of such pilgrimages are planned by Sikh devotees at time intervals and the places are visited by them during some specific months every year. These pilgrimages are carried by various means of communication like horse-chariots, motor-vehicles or even on their foot.

Major Sikh Pilgrimages are:

India is majorly the site for Sikh Pilgrimages due to the fact that the religion was born in India itself.  Consequently, all the major pilgrim centres for the Sikhs are located in India only and the pilgrims from all over the world throng to India to pay visit to their sacred places. The most important pilgrim places are as follows :-

Golden Temple (Amritsar)

Golden Temples is the most important pilgrimage for the Sikhs. The place is located in Amritsar, a city in the state of Punjab. The places is also called as Sri Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib and symbolizes Sikh’s glory. The common belief is that just by taking a bath in the waters of the temple one can be resolved of all his bad actions and sins.

Anandpur Sahib

This pilgrim places has great importance after the Golden Temple. It was associated with Guru Teg Bahadur. Anandpur Sahib is situated on the lower Himalayas amidst splendid natural beauty.  Anandpur Sahib is also called by other name of 'the holy City of Bliss'.

Hemkund Sahib

The place is associated with Guru Gobind Singh who used to meditate around the lake at this place and is situated in the vicinity of the Lokpal Lake. The literal meaning of Hemkund is “Lake of Gold” and is located on central Himalayas. The beauty of the place is enhanced by lakes around the temple.

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib

It is situated in the capital of India – Delhi and is very near from the Connaught Place. The devotees and pilgrim from all faiths, regions and religions come to this place to show respect and reverence.  The Gurudwara was built in the same way as the palace of Raja Jai Singh of Jaipur who welcomed  Guru Harkrishan when he visited Delhi. Both Raja Jai Singh and his chief queen were much  attracted by the spiritual powers and religious devotion of the Guru.

Takht Sri Damdama Sahib

It is located at Bhatinda in the state of Punjab. This is one among the five Takhts or Seat of Temporal Authority of Sikhism.

Other Important Places of Sikh Pilgrimage

• Gurudwara Nanak Piao in Delhi
• Gurudwara Rakab Ganj in Delhi
• Gurudwara Sis Ganj in Delhi
• Gurudwara Majnu Ka Tila in Delhi
• Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji in Jammu and Kashmir
• Nangli Sahib gurdwara in Jammu and Kashmir
• Dashmesh Darbar in Maharashtra
• Jai Jawan Nagar gurudwara
• Takht Sachkhand Shri Hazur in Maharashtra
• Abchalnagar Sahib in Maharashtra
• Guru Nanak Darbar in Maharashtra
• Ganesh Peth gurudwara in Maharashtra
• Gurudwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha in Maharashtra
• Sapras gurudwara in Maharastra
• Sri Guru Nanak Sat Sangh Sabha in Tamilnadu

Sikhism is based upon the concept of brotherhood of disciples or “shishya” having faith in the same discipline or way of life. The whole religion is based on the teachings of the Gurus which in turn propagate devotion for the God, a living earned out of truth, sense of sacrifice for the people and complete surrender to the God.  The places associated with the Sikh religion not only strengthens the bond between the pilgrims but also highlights the tenets of the religion among the community.