Gurdwara Goindwal Sahib

Goindwal Sahib is a beautiful town located at a distance of 23 km from Tarn Taran and 45 km from Amritsar. This is an important place of pilgrimage for the Sikhs since 16th century. The town is also famous as a commercial hub and is situated on the banks of Beas River. It is a center of many well known Gurdwaras with Goindwal Sahib being the greatest. Goindwal Sahib is considered as the pride of Punjab which also makes it an important tourist attraction.

It is the first Sikh pilgrimage which was established under the guidance of Sri Guru Amar Das Sahib. Guru Sahib stayed here for 33 years and established a new centre for preaching Sikhism. Guru Sahib contructed a step well called Baoli which consisted of 84 steps leading down to it. It is believed that those who recite the entire “Japji Sahib” (holy prayer) on each of the 84 steps and then take bath in the Baoli (well) after climbing the steps 84 times would receive spiritual freedom and will be free from the cycle of birth and death (moksha and mukti). This belief attracted many people guiding them to the path of religion and spirituality which made Goindwal Sahib as the first center of Sikhism. Devotees from far and near places come to visit Goindwal Sahib and Baoli Sahib which has a very peaceful atmosphere. People visit especially to have a dip in the holy waters of Baoli to attain salvation.

The entrance of the Gurdwara is adorned with murals which tell the important stories of the Sikh history. The main Gurdwara standing next to Baoli is made of white marble. The structure of Gurdwara follows the pattern of classic Sikh architecture with a large dome tipped with a gold pinnacle. The projected windows, oval cornices, front of towers and four cupolas resembling the main dome in shape and structure also reflect the Sikh architecture.

The beautifully planned and constructed Baoli is around 25 feet long. There are some places built in between the 84 steps for the devotees to relax and participate in the spiritual discussion. There is also a domed entrance decorated with frescos reflecting the life of Sri Guru Amar Das Sahib. The entrance to Baoli is through a pointed archway having a large dome in a fluted shape.

There are beautiful floral designs made on the cornice which make Gurdwara look more attractive and interesting to the visitors. The projecting attics on all sides of the Gurdwara are also an example of brilliant architecture. They are further decorated with turrets in the first row of the projecting attics making the place look more charismatic and special.

Many festivals are celebrated at Goindwal Sahib every year with great zeal and enthusiasm. The entire Gurdwara and town are decorated with colored lights to celebrate Gurpurabs and other festivals. The most important festival celebrated here is Baisakhi which is the birth day of Khalsa and also the festival of harvest. A large number of devotees visit Goindwal Sahib on the eve of Baisakhi.

Gurdwara has a huge langar hall and serves food to all the visitors and devotees throughout the day. It is believed that Emperor Akbar once visited Guru Sahib in Goindwal while travelling from Delhi to Lahore. Akbar spent some time with Guru Sahib and then both had lunch in the langar hall. Akbar was so impressed with the tradition of langar that he donated a piece of land in the name of Gurdwara.

Chaubara Sahib is another famous Gurdwara located at Goindwal which depicts the life span of Sri Guru Amar Das Sahib and Sri Guru Ram Das Sahib. The building contains hair and chola (dress) of Sri Guru Amar Das Sahib. There is a hook in the wall which Sri Guru Amar Das Sahib used to hold throughout the night to avoid sleeping when meditating. All the three sons of Sri Guru Ram Das Sahib were born here while Sri Guru Amar Das Sahib and Bhai Gurdas ji breathed their last here.