Gurudwara Shri Tarn Taran Sahib - The House of the Guru

Gurudwara Shri Tarn Taran Sahib is located in the city of Tarn Taran, Punjab. It was originally built by the fifth Guru of Sikhs - Guru Arjan Dev and is now managed by the SGPC (Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee). It is located at about a distance of 22 Km in the south-east direction of the Amritsar city. This Gurudwara was built in 1590s in the Mughal style architecture. It has the distinction of possessing the largest tank among all the Gurudwaras and its water is believed to possess medicinal qualities.

History

Around 1590, the Sikh Guru Arjan Dev Ji, set out on a tour on the areas between river Beas and Ravi. When he reached this place, now known as city of Tarn Taran, bought some land to lay down the foundation of a Gurudwara sahib, the Gurudwara Shri Tarn Taran sahib, in the memory and honour of Guru Ram Das Ji. After buying the land, he started the excavation of a tank (Sarovar) even larger than the one surrounding the Golden Temple. He named this Gurudwara as Gurudwara Shri Tarn Taran sahib and later on city was also named with same name. This Gurudwara has one of the largest sarovars and it resembles Golden temple in many aspects except that it has marble exterior and it is built on the side of tank instead of being built in the centre of it.

It is believed that this sarovar's water possesses the medicinal qualities and is capable of curing leprosy. Thus, the name Tarn Taran was originally given to this sarovar. The literal meaning of this name is - the boat (Taran) that takes an individual across the ocean of existence.

Architecture

This Gurudwara is a well-designed and graceful three storeyed building standing tall at the southeast corner of the Gurudwara's sarovar. Approached from a double storeyed arched gateway, this Gurudwara stands firmly in the middle of a beautiful marble floored platform. The lotus dome of the Gurudwara, which was damaged badly by the earthquake of 1905, was subsequently reconstructed to cover the damage. It is beautified with a gold finial resembling the shape of an umbrella and also has an ornamental gold pinnacle.

The upper section of the Gurudwara structure is covered marvellously by glittering gold plated sheets. The Gurudwara has exquisitely and elegantly executed stucco works in intricate designs and the astonishing glass pieces magnificently embellish the ceiling and the interior walls.

The Guru Granth Sahib is amazingly seated on a fine-looking platform on a drawn out dome covered incredibly with gold plated sheets. This throne was the offering of Kanwar Nau Nihal Singh.

Har Ki Paudi

This is a flight of marbled steps right behind the Darbar sahib and these descend in to the sacred pool. According to old sayings, Guru Arjan Dev himself made the first cut as the digging for the Sarovar initiated in 1950.

Sarovar

The sarovar surrounding this Gurudwara is the largest among the other sarovars of other Gurudwaras and is rectangular in shape. Its perimeter is composed by northern, southern, eastern and western sides measuring 289m, 283m, 230 m and 233 m respectively. This sarovar was initially fed by the rain water but the Maharaja Raghubir Singh hailing from JMD got a water channel dug in 1833. This water channel connects the sarovar with the Upper Ban Doab Canal's Lower Kasur branch at Rasulpur watermills.

Visitor’s Information

The Gurudwara Shri Tarn Taran Sahib does not discriminate between Sikh and non-Sikh people and people hailing from any culture, creed or religion can visit this amazing abode of God. However, Sikh people are particular about observing certain pre-set rules pertaining to enter and visit the Gurudwara. These include:

• It is very important to maintain neatness and hygiene while entering the sacred place, so you must remove your shoes before entering the Gurudwara and must wash your feet in the small stream of water that you can find on the entrance gate.
• Since Gurudwaras are place of worship, so one should not be drunk while visiting it and also not smoke, drink or eat non-vegetarian food in the Gurudwara premises
• Prior to entering the Gurudwara, one must cover his /her head with some head scarves, which are provided in the Gurudwara as well, in case, you are not carrying your own
• Once you enter the main hall (Darbar Sahib), it is imperative that you sit for a moment and bend your head in front of Guru Granth Sahib and the God as a sign of respect.

Festivals

A big fair is held in this Gurudwara every month on Amavasya (No-Moon night).