Five Holy Sarovars
Harmandir Sahib
Sri Harmandir Sahib is situated in the middle of Amritsar city. It is a living symbol of the spiritual and historical traditions of the Sikhs and being their head place of pilgrimage, it is also a source of inspiration for them. Sri Harmandir Sahib with its gleaming gold covered exterior, stands in the middle of the Amrit Sarovar. The excavation of the Amrit Sarovar began in 1573 and was completed in 1577. The sarovar is 500 feet in length, 490 feet in width and 17 feet deep. During the British period, in 1866, the hansali was connected with the Upper Bari Doab Canal and since then the water supply has been taken from there.
Santokhsar Sahib
Gurdwara Sri Santokhsar Sahib is located close to Sri Harmandir Sahib. When Sri Guru Ram Das Sahib came from Sri Goindwal Sahib, Sri Guru Amar Das Sahib asked him to excavate Sarovar. Thus, this is the first sarovar of the Sikh history. When this place was being dug, Guru Sahib found a Yogi meditating. After sometime the Yogi opened his eyes and told Guru Sahib that he had been meditating for a long time waiting for Guru Sahib to give him salvation. He told his name as Santakha and then breathed his last. The Sarovar was then named as Santokhsar. Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahib used to sit under a Tahli tree, hence this Gurdwara is also known as Sri Tahli Sahib.
Bibeksar Sahib
Gurdwara Sri Bibeksar Sahib is located at the site of an old garden between the Chattiwind gate and the Sultanwind gate. Whenever Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib came back from hunting, he used to tie his horse here with a Kareer tree and rest for a while. In 1628, Guru Sahib laid the foundation of the Sarover here and was involved with the digging and excavation. Later, Maharaja Ranjit Singh constructed this Gurdwara in 1833.
Ramsar Sahib
Ramsar sahib is located near the Chatiwind gate near the Tarn Taran Road. This was a peaceful spot surrounded by shady trees. Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahib chose this location as he needed a calm and peaceful place away from the town for the compilation of Adi Granth, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. He had a sarovar dug at this place and named it as Ramsar after Sri Guru Ram Das Sahib. It was here that Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahib compiled Sukhmani Sahib (holy book) sitting on the bank of Ramsar sarovar under the Ber Tree. Every year, celebrations are held here to commemorate Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahib’s martyrdom day and the compilation day of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Kaulsar Sahib
Gurdwara Sri Kaulsar Sahib stands near Gurdwara Baba Atal Sahib on the back side of Sri Harmandir Sahib. This Gurdwara Sahib is in the memory of Mata Kaulan ji, a spiritual Muslim lady, daughter of the Qazi of Lahore. Her father Qazi of Lahore had pronounced death due to her devotion to Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib. Sain Mian Mir ji who was living in the same village rescued and brought her under the protection of Guru Sahib. Mata ji spent rest of her life devoting to the service of mankind and meditation.
