Punjab GK · Sikh heritage
The Five Takhts of Sikhism and the Historic Gurdwaras of Punjab — Exam Notes
"Which Takht is at Talwandi Sabo?" and "Where is the Jor Mela held?" are typical Punjab GK questions. This guide lists the five Takhts with their founding events and then goes district by district through Punjab's most important historic gurdwaras, so you can connect each place with the right Guru, date and annual fair.
What is a Takht?
A Takht (throne) is a seat of temporal authority in Sikhism. Each Takht is headed by a Jathedar. Decisions and edicts (hukamnamas) on matters affecting the community are issued from the Takhts, with the Akal Takht at the top. There are five Takhts: three in Punjab, one in Bihar and one in Maharashtra.
The five Takhts
| Takht | Place | State | Linked with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Akal Takht Sahib | Amritsar | Punjab | Founded by Guru Hargobind Ji in 1606; highest seat of Sikh temporal authority |
| Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib | Anandpur Sahib | Punjab | Creation of the Khalsa, Baisakhi 1699 |
| Takht Sri Damdama Sahib | Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda) | Punjab | Guru Gobind Singh Ji prepared the final scripture here; recognised as the fifth Takht in the 1960s |
| Takht Sri Patna Sahib (Harmandir Ji) | Patna | Bihar | Birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666) |
| Takht Sri Hazur Sahib (Abchalnagar) | Nanded | Maharashtra | Where Guru Gobind Singh Ji spent his last days and vested Guruship in the Guru Granth Sahib (1708) |
Sri Akal Takht Sahib
Built by Guru Hargobind Ji facing the Harmandir Sahib, it embodied the principle of miri-piri. Its name means "Throne of the Timeless One". The two Nishan Sahibs between the Akal Takht and the Harmandir Sahib represent miri and piri.
Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib
At Anandpur Sahib, it marks the site where the Panj Pyare were initiated in 1699. Weapons associated with Guru Gobind Singh Ji are displayed here. Anandpur Sahib is also the home of Hola Mohalla, held the day after Holi, a festival of martial displays begun by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Virasat-e-Khalsa museum stands nearby.
Takht Sri Damdama Sahib
At Talwandi Sabo, where Guru Gobind Singh Ji stayed after the Battle of Muktsar. With Bhai Mani Singh he prepared the final version of the scripture here, which is why the place is called "Guru ki Kashi". The famous Baisakhi mela is held here.
Harmandir Sahib (the Golden Temple)
- The town was founded by Guru Ram Das Ji; the shrine was completed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, and the Adi Granth was installed here in 1604.
- It has four entrances, symbolising openness to all.
- It was rebuilt after Afghan attacks in the 18th century. Maharaja Ranjit Singh covered the upper floors with gilded copper in the early 19th century — hence the name "Golden Temple".
- Its langar is among the largest community kitchens in the world.
Historic gurdwaras by district
Amritsar and Tarn Taran
- Darbar Sahib, Tarn Taran — founded by Guru Arjan Dev Ji; one of the largest sarovars.
- Goindwal Sahib — Guru Amar Das Ji; the baoli with 84 steps.
- Khadur Sahib — Guru Angad Dev Ji.
- Baba Bakala Sahib — where Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was recognised as Guru ("Baba Bakale"); a fair is held on Raksha Bandhan.
- Gurdwara Ber Baba Buddha Sahib (Ramdas area) — linked with Baba Buddha, the first granthi.
Kapurthala
- Gurdwara Ber Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi — Guru Nanak Dev Ji's enlightenment after the Kali Bein; a ber tree associated with him still stands.
Gurdaspur
- Dera Baba Nanak — Gurdwara Darbar Sahib; the starting point of the Kartarpur Corridor (opened 9 November 2019) leading to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur, in Pakistan.
- Gurdwara Kandh Sahib, Batala — linked to Guru Nanak Dev Ji's marriage to Mata Sulakhni; the Babe da Viah fair is held here.
Rupnagar (Ropar)
- Anandpur Sahib — Kesgarh Sahib (above), plus Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, Anandpur, where the head of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was cremated.
- Kiratpur Sahib — founded by Baba Gurditta, son of Guru Hargobind Ji; Gurdwara Patalpuri Sahib on the Sutlej, where Sikhs immerse the ashes of the departed.
- Chamkaur Sahib — Gurdwara Katalgarh Sahib, where the elder Sahibzadas fell in 1704.
Fatehgarh Sahib
- Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib — the site of the martyrdom of the younger Sahibzadas; the Shaheedi Jor Mela is held in late December.
- Gurdwara Jyoti Sarup — where the younger Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri Ji were cremated, on land bought by Diwan Todar Mal.
Sri Muktsar Sahib
- Gurdwara Tuti Gandhi Sahib and Darbar Sahib, Muktsar — the Chali Mukte of 1705; the Maghi Mela is held in January (Maghi).
Patiala, Ludhiana and others
- Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib, Patiala — associated with Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
- Gurdwara Moti Bagh Sahib, Patiala — also linked with Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
- Gurdwara Manji Sahib, Alamgir (Ludhiana) — linked with Guru Gobind Singh Ji after Chamkaur.
Management of gurdwaras
- The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), constituted under the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, manages historic gurdwaras in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh, including the Harmandir Sahib.
- Haryana's gurdwaras are managed by the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee under a 2014 state law, which the Supreme Court upheld in 2022.
- Takht Patna Sahib and Takht Hazur Sahib have their own management boards under laws of Bihar and Maharashtra.
Melas linked with gurdwaras
| Mela | Place | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hola Mohalla | Anandpur Sahib | Day after Holi (Feb–Mar) |
| Maghi Mela | Sri Muktsar Sahib | January (Maghi) |
| Shaheedi Jor Mela | Fatehgarh Sahib | Late December |
| Baisakhi | Talwandi Sabo, Anandpur, Amritsar | April |
| Babe da Viah | Batala | Late August–September |
Key points to remember
- Five Takhts: Akal Takht (Amritsar), Kesgarh Sahib (Anandpur), Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo), Patna Sahib (Bihar), Hazur Sahib (Nanded).
- Akal Takht — Guru Hargobind Ji, 1606; Kesgarh — Khalsa 1699; Damdama — Guru ki Kashi.
- Ber Sahib — Sultanpur Lodhi; Fatehgarh Sahib — Jor Mela; Muktsar — Maghi Mela; Anandpur — Hola Mohalla.
- SGPC under the Gurdwaras Act, 1925.
Practice questions
Q1. Takht Sri Damdama Sahib is located at:
- (a) Anandpur Sahib
- (b) Talwandi Sabo
- (c) Fatehgarh Sahib
- (d) Kiratpur Sahib
Show answer
Answer: (b) Talwandi Sabo — Damdama Sahib is at Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district.
Q2. Which Takht is at the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh Ji?
- (a) Hazur Sahib
- (b) Kesgarh Sahib
- (c) Patna Sahib
- (d) Akal Takht
Show answer
Answer: (c) Patna Sahib — Takht Sri Patna Sahib marks his birthplace.
Q3. The Maghi Mela is held at:
- (a) Sri Muktsar Sahib
- (b) Fatehgarh Sahib
- (c) Anandpur Sahib
- (d) Batala
Show answer
Answer: (a) Sri Muktsar Sahib — It commemorates the Chali Mukte of 1705.
Q4. Gurdwara Ber Sahib is at:
- (a) Kartarpur
- (b) Sultanpur Lodhi
- (c) Goindwal Sahib
- (d) Dera Baba Nanak
Show answer
Answer: (b) Sultanpur Lodhi — It marks Guru Nanak Dev Ji's enlightenment after the Kali Bein.
Q5. Hola Mohalla is celebrated at:
- (a) Anandpur Sahib
- (b) Amritsar
- (c) Talwandi Sabo
- (d) Patiala
Show answer
Answer: (a) Anandpur Sahib — Guru Gobind Singh Ji began Hola Mohalla at Anandpur Sahib.
Q6. Gurdwara Patalpuri Sahib, where ashes are immersed, is at:
- (a) Goindwal Sahib
- (b) Kiratpur Sahib
- (c) Chamkaur Sahib
- (d) Tarn Taran
Show answer
Answer: (b) Kiratpur Sahib — Patalpuri Sahib on the Sutlej is at Kiratpur Sahib.
Frequently asked questions
How many Takhts are in Punjab?
Three: the Akal Takht (Amritsar), Kesgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib) and Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo).
Which Takht is the highest?
The Sri Akal Takht Sahib at Amritsar.
Who built the Akal Takht?
Guru Hargobind Ji, in 1606.
Official sources
- Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)
- Punjab Tourism (Government of Punjab)
- Punjab Digital Library
Rules, dates and figures can change. Always check the latest official notification or government release before relying on a detail.