Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib

Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib is a complex consisting of several important shrines or Gurudwaras linked to the younger sahibzadas (younger sons) of Guru Gobind Singh. It is located about 5 km north of Sirhind, 40 Km from Chandigarh and marks the sad site of the execution in 1705 of the two younger sons of the tenth Sikh master at the behest of Wazir Khan of Kunjpura, the faujdar of Sirhind.

The main entrance to the Gurudwara complex was built by Maharaja Yadvindra Singh ofFatehgarh, Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurudwara Fateh Garh Sahib, Shaheedi Jor Mela, Fateh Garh Sahib Jorh Mela, Fatehgarh Sahib Tour Patiala in 1952. The historical wall where the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh were bricked has been preserved in this Gurudwara. The sanctuary containing the historic wall in known as Gurudwara Bhora Sahib.


Gurudwara Burj Mata Gujri and Gurudwara Shahid Ganj are also located in the main complex of Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib. It was at the site of Gurudwara Burj Mata Gujri that the two younger sons Fateh Singh and Zorawar Singh of tenth Guru and the Guru's mother Mata Gujri were kept in confinement by Wazir Khan.

The place were the three were confined is known as `THANDA BURJ' which was considered a cool place during the summer. But it was a punishment for Guru's sons and his mother to kept here in extreme winter when the "burj" would be extreme cold. It was at this place that Mata Gujri collapsed on hearing the news of the martyrdom of her grandsons. Later on, Gurudwara Mata Gujri was constructed at this location to honour Mata ji.

Gurdwara Nada Sahib

Significance: it is here that Guru Gobind Singhji along with his victorious fellow warriors had taken a halt while on their way back, after having fought the battle with Mughals.


There are a number of religious places in and around Chandigarh. One among them is the Chandigarh Nada Sahib Gurudwara. Situated at the Panchkula district on the banks of river Ghagar, it lies at a distance of 15 kms from the city of gardens. Gurdwara Nada Sahib in Chandigarh, India has a lot of reverence for Sikhs, as after having fought the battle with Mughals, Guru Gobind Singhji along with his victorious fellow Sikh warriors had stayed over here, while on their way back. Here, they were given a warm welcome by a follower of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, named Nadu Shah. The Guru showered his blessings on him and also said that the Gurudwara would be named after him. Lakhs of worshippers visit the Nada Sahib Gurdwara on the full moon day (Pooranmashi) of every month.

Gurudwara Damdama Sahib

Damdama means the breathing or resting place. Damdama Sahib is one of the Five Takhts of the Sikhs. (The other four Takhts are Akal Takht, Amritsar, Takht Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur, Takht Hazur Sahib, Nanded (Maharashtra) and Takht Harmandir Sahib Patna (Bihar). It is located at village Talwandi Sabo, 28 km southeast of Bathinda. It is also known as Talwandi Sabo and Guru Ki Kashi. Guru Gobind Singh stayed here after fighting battles against Mughal atrocities. Before his arrival at Talwandi, two of the Guru’s sons were bricked alive at Sarhind and two laid down their lives at Chamkaur Sahib. After writing Zafarnama, Guru Gobind Singh fought a successful battle at Muktsar and then moved towards Talwandi Sabo Ki.


While at Talwandi, Sikhs started coming to the Guru from all over Punjab and other places. Here a Gurudwara was erected in Guru's memory. This place is also known as Guru -Ki -Kanshi as it was made a center of the Sikh learning.

Damdame Wali Bir of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was prepared here by Guru Gobind Singh. It was transcribed by Bhai Mani Singh. The hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib were added into the Bir.

It was at Dam Dama Sahib that Bhai Dalla was tested for his bravery by Guru Gobind Singh and brought into the order of Khalsa. It was from Damdama Sahib that the Guru moved towards south. In the meantime, Aurangzeb died and the Guru helped Bahadur Shah, Aurangzeb's eldest son to sit on the throne.

The Guru was honored by Bahadur Shah at Agra. The new Emperor also left for south but parted from the Guru at Nanded. It is said that Bahadur Shah did not fulfill his promise to punish the officials who had committed atrocities upon the Sikhs and killed Guru's young children. The Guru commissioned Banda Bahadur to Go to Punjab and punish the guilty and bring peace to the state.

Guru Gobind Singh arrived here on 20-21 January, 1706 and camped outside the village. The magnificent Gurudwara Sri Damdama Sahib marks the place of his stav. Here local Chaudhari Bhai Dalla looked after Guruji with great devotion. He refused to arrest the Guru as directed by Wazir Khan, Nawab of Sirhind.

Mata Sundri and Mata Sahib Kaur escorted by Bhai Mani Singh came here from Delhi to meet Guruji. Guruji spent nine months of intense literary activities.

Here Bhai Mani Singh prepared the holy volume under the guidance of Guruji. Talwandi thus became a seat of learning and assumed the status of Guru Ki Kashi. It was here that Chaudhari Tiloka and Rama, ancestors of the Pulkian (Patiala, Nabha and Jind) rulers received Amni from the blessed hands of the Guru. Sacred articles of the tenth Guru, namely Sri Sahib (Sword), a mirror, a match lock, a portrait of the tenth Guru, a pothi. (book) transcribed by Baba Deep Singh, Sword of Baba Deep Singh and a Persian sword are displayed in the Gurudwara Damdama Sahib. The other sacred place at Talwandi Sabo are, Jand Sahib, Tibbi Sahib, Likhansar and Gurusar.

Besides, there are two Gurudwaras in memory of the ninth Guru Sri Tegh Bahadur, known as Wada Darbar Sahib and Gurusar.

Guru Gobind Singh had come to Talwandi Sabo at the request of Bhai Dala, a devoted follower. He was the Chief of Brar jats of Ma!wa area. He liked the place immensely and stayed here for over nine months. During his stay, the place was transformed into abode of the Khalsa and became a second Anandpur.

At Damdama Sahib as it is now called, the Guru preached complete sacrifice of personal and family interests at the altar of the good of mankind. The following. words of the great Guru expressing his firm faith in the Khalsa, are inscribed on a pillar installed by the Punjab Government,

"To the Khalsa does belong all,
My home, my body, and all I possess"

Other Gurudwaras at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib are :
- Gurudwara Manji Sahib Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur
- Gurudwara Manji Sahib Padshahi Nauvin and Dasvin
- Gurudwara Likhansar Sahib
- Gurudwara Jandsar Sahib
- Gurudwara Tibbi Sahib
- Gurudwara Sri Nanaksar
- Gurudwara Niwas Asthan Padshahi Dasvin
- Gurudwara Mata Sundari and Sahib Devan
This Takht was officially recognized as the fifth Takht on Novemver 18, 1966. On demand from the Sikhs, a sub-committee was appointed by the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee Amritsar vide General Meeting Resolution No: 789 on July 30, 1960. A report of the sub-committee containing 183 pages was received to declare Damdama Sahib, Guru Ki Kashi as the fifth Takht of the Sikhs. A general body meeting of the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee Amritsar approved the recommendations through resolution number 32 on November 18, 1966.

It has been declared as fifth Takht in April 1999 during tercentennial celebrations of the advent of Khalsa.