Punjab's heritage is too robust to be either forgotten or lost. It is a land of martial traditions where the nation of India rose as one to combat all aggressions from the North - West and all others who dared to challenge the integrity and sovereignty of this golden land. A land of tough, god - fearing peasants living in its rich traditions of hard - work and toil, song & dance and patriotism, is today one of the most vibrant states of India. This land of the brave Sikhs echoes with the melodies Gurbani of the sacred Guru Granth Sahib from the beautiful gurudwaras spread all over Punjab.
This tour is specially prepared to present the best of the great Sikhs shrines in the region. It will be relevant to quote Mahatama Gandhi as follows, when he wrote about this land: "
Historically Punjab may be considered the most important province of India. It was here that the Aryans of the Vedic times first made their homes. It was here that the hymns of the Rig Veda were chanted. It was to this province at the University of Takshila that seekers after knowledge flocked from various parts of the world. The Scythians, the Tartars and the Persians had to measure sword with the sons of Punjab in their attempt to penetrate India."
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| DAY 01 (DELHI) Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel Oberoi Maidens or Hans Plaza. Afternoon visit to Gurudwara Sisganj, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and Gurudwara Rakabganj |
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| DAY 01 (DELHI / CHANDIGARH / PARIVAR VICHHORA / ANANDPUR SAHIB / CHANDIGARH)Drive to Chandigarh and check in at Shivalik Afternoon visit Parivar Vichorra and drive to Anandpur Sahib - fortress temple situated on the left bank of the river Satluj founded by the ninth Sikh guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur. It was here that the Sikh religion acquired its final military character. Overnight in hotel Shivalik in Chandigarh. |
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| DAY 03 (CHANDIGARH / AMRITSAR) Morning city tour, visiting the Museum, High Court, Assembly Chamber and Rock Garden. Afternoon drive to Amritsar, situated on the north western border of the country. The 400 years old city, founded by the fourth guru of the Sikhs, Guru Ramdas, has been the seat of the Sikh religion and culture from its very inception. It is renowned for the famous Golden Temple. Amritsar , literally Pool of Nectar, derives its name from the holy pond around the temple. The land for the pool was gifted by the Moghul Emperor Akbar. Hotel Ritz Plaza. |
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DAY 04 (AMRITSAR / TARN TARAN / GOBINDWAL / HAZOOR SAHIB / AMRITSAR) Morning excursion of Tarn Taran, famous for a gurudwara standing on the side of a large tank and built in honour of Guru Arjun Dev. Lepers come from far off places to have a dip in the tank, for it is believed that its water can help cure leprosy. Proceed to
Gobindwal, a short run from Tarn Taran, connected to the memory of guru Amardas who lived there. A gurudwara built by the guruji still stands there. Since no place was available for a tank, an underground Baoli was constructed near the gurudwara with a flight of 84 steps leading to it. Continue onto Hazoor Sahib, where the Samadhi (memorial) of the second Sikh guru, Guru Angad Devji, was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1815. Return to Amritsar. Afternoon visit the Golden Temple built in the midst of the holy pool by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1803, it is also known as Darbar Sahib or Har Mandir Sahib. The dome of the temple is covered with an estimated 400 kgs of gold leaf , hence its popular name the Golden Temple. The interiors of the temple, like wise, decorated by inlay work with delicate floral patterns are done with semi precious stones. Adjoining the pool is Akal Takht, established by the sixth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind Singh. It is seat of the supreme head of the Sikh religious authority. |
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| DAY 05 (AMRITSAR / JALIANWALA BAGH / BABA BAKALA / AMRITSAR)
Morning visit Jailianwala Bagh, the historic site where hundreds of innocent Indian men, women and children were massacred by British General Michael Dyer on April 13, 1919. A memorial and garden have been created here as a national monument. Proceed to Baba Bakala, a place associated with the ninth Sikh guru , Shri Tegh Bahadur, having a magnificent gurudwara where people gather in thousands on every Amavas. An annual fair is held on Raksha Bandhan with about hundred thousand people visiting the place, commemorating the day when the ninth guru was located by his followers. |
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Accommodation