Gurdwara Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib
Gurdwara Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib is a house of prayer and former fortress in Anandpur Sahib, featuring simple yet sturdy Sikh architecture with walls and turrets. The complex includes prayer halls with basic iconography, a community kitchen serving free meals, and surrounding structures showing remnants of the historic fort.
Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib was established in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh at the same location where the Khalsa community was founded on that day. The fortress resisted several attacks from rival rulers between 1700 and 1705 and was only abandoned when the Guru left Anandpur Sahib in 1705.
The name combines the idea of a throne with a sacred sword, symbolizing the founding of the Khalsa community. Visitors see people here gathered in prayer, singing hymns, and moving through the grounds with reverence, showing how this place remains central to Sikh spiritual life today.
Visitors should dress modestly and remove shoes before entering the main shrine, as this is an active place of worship. The central location in the heart of Anandpur Sahib makes arrival straightforward, and daytime visits work best when chanting and prayers are happening.
The original hill where the Khalsa Panth was founded is no longer visible - the hill was lowered over time and the ground is now covered with modern marble structures. This makes the current site a layer of history where old foundations rest beneath contemporary buildings.
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