Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib
The birthplace of the Khalsa, where Guru Gobind Singh initiated the Sikh warrior brotherhood in 1699.
White-domed Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib gurdwara on a hilltop in Anandpur Sahib
What to expect at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib
One of the five Takhts (thrones of Sikh authority), Kesgarh Sahib crowns the town of Anandpur on the site where Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa on Baisakhi 1699. The gleaming white marble complex houses the weapons of the tenth Guru himself, including his khanda double-edged sword, katar dagger, and the saif attributed to Hazrat Ali. It's the second-holiest place in Sikhism after the Golden Temple and the emotional heart of Baisakhi celebrations each April.
Anandpur is 90 minutes by road from Chandigarh through the Shivalik foothills; combine the visit with the adjacent Virasat-e-Khalsa museum in a single day. Weekdays outside festival season are near-empty, letting you sit undisturbed before the historical weapons displayed in a glass case on the ground floor. Dress modestly, cover your head with the free saffron scarves at the entrance, and deposit shoes at the marked stalls to the left of the main stairway.
Questions about Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib
Free of charge, including shoe deposit and head-covering.
Every day — the gurdwara never charges.
Two to three hours including darshan of the weapons, parikrama and langar.
Open 365 days from 04:00 to 22:00.
No booking. For overnight stay at the SGPC serai next door, walk in with ID; rooms are free with donation.
Anandpur Sahib on the Chandigarh-Una line, 3 km away; shared autos to the gurdwara cost about $0.50.
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