Gurdwara Sisganj Sahib in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, India, is one of the most sacred Sikh shrines in the holy city of Anandpur Sahib. The gurdwara marks the hallowed spot where the severed head of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, was cremated on November 17, 1675, after his martyrdom in Delhi. When the Guru was executed in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, on November 11, 1675, by the orders of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb for refusing to convert to Islam and championing the rights of the Kashmiri Pandits, his devoted disciple Bhai Jaita (later honoured as Bhai Jiwan Singh) retrieved the Guru's sacred head and carried it over several hundred kilometres to Chakk Nanaki — the town founded by Guru Tegh Bahadur himself, now revered as Anandpur Sahib.
The head was received with deep reverence and was cremated at this spot with full honours. Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru and son of Guru Tegh Bahadur, personally oversaw the cremation rites and later caused a memorial shrine to be constructed over the sacred ashes at this very site. The gurdwara stands as an enduring testimony to the supreme sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur, who is revered in Sikh tradition as 'Hind di Chadar' — the Shield of India — for laying down his life to protect freedom of religion and the rights of the oppressed.
Today, Gurdwara Sisganj Sahib Anandpur Sahib serves as an important pilgrimage destination within the sacred complex of Anandpur Sahib, drawing thousands of devotees annually who come to pay homage to the Guru's ultimate sacrifice. The gurdwara provides all traditional Sikh services including daily prayers (Nitnem), Gurbani kirtan, and the free communal kitchen (langar), fostering the Sikh values of seva (selfless service) and sangat (congregation). The shrine is managed under the authority of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex body governing historical Sikh shrines in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.
Significance
Gurdwara Sisganj Sahib Anandpur Sahib holds profound spiritual and historical significance in the Sikh faith. It commemorates the supreme sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who gave his life not only for Sikhism but for the universal principle of religious freedom. His martyrdom is celebrated in Sikh tradition as one of the greatest acts of selflessness in human history — the Guru willingly accepted death to protect the right of others (the Kashmiri Pandits) to practice their own faith.
The gurdwara enshrines the memory of this sacrifice in its very soil, as the sacred ashes of the Guru's head rest here. For Sikh pilgrims, a visit to this gurdwara is an act of deep reverence and an affirmation of commitment to the Sikh ideals of justice, courage, and sacrifice. The shrine is also significant as the site where Guru Gobind Singh, then a young boy of approximately nine years, performed his father's last rites — an act that is believed to have deeply shaped his determination to create the Khalsa Panth and fight against tyranny.
Anandpur Sahib as a whole is one of the holiest cities in Sikhism, and Gurdwara Sisganj Sahib is among its most venerated shrines. The gurdwara also commemorates Bhai Jaita Ji's extraordinary devotion and physical endurance in bringing the Guru's head to its final resting place, and his story is an integral part of the shrine's spiritual narrative.
Nearby Gurdwaras
Gurdwara Gurgaddi Patshahi Tenth
169 m away
Gurdwara Gurgaddi Patshahi Tenth is a revered Sikh shrine located near Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, India, commemorating the sacred Guru Gaddi — the spiritual throne — of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Tenth and final human Guru of the Sikhs. The name 'Gurgaddi' refers to the seat of Guruship, and this gurdwara marks a site of profound religious importance where the Tenth Guru is believed to have held court, delivered spiritual guidance, and exercised his temporal and spiritual sovereignty. Situated in the Shivalik foothills of Punjab along the banks of the Sutlej River, this sacred site exists within one of the holiest geographical regions of Sikhism, in close proximity to Anandpur Sahib, which Guru Gobind Singh Ji made his principal seat of power and devotion for over three decades. The gurdwara serves the dual purpose of a place of congregational worship (sangat) and a living memorial to the life and mission of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who transformed the Sikh Panth by founding the Khalsa on Vaisakhi in 1699. Devotees and pilgrims travel from across India and around the world to seek the blessings of the Tenth Guru and to connect with the spiritual energy believed to permeate the grounds. Daily religious activities at the gurdwara include Nitnem (recitation of daily prayers), Kirtan (devotional hymn singing), Ardas (communal prayer), and the distribution of langar (free community meals) to all visitors irrespective of caste, creed, or religion. The gurdwara is managed under the auspices of a local Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and operates in accordance with the Sikh Rehat Maryada, the official Sikh code of conduct as prescribed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The premises maintain a serene and disciplined environment where the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji are continuously recited. The institution also plays an active role in the social fabric of the surrounding community, offering educational programs, charitable services, and support for the underprivileged. As one of the gurdwaras in the spiritually charged landscape of the Anandpur Sahib region, Gurdwara Gurgaddi Patshahi Tenth stands as a symbol of the Sikh ideals of equality, service, and devotion to the one eternal Creator.
Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib
ਤਖ਼ਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਕੇਸਗੜ੍ਹ ਸਾਹਿਬ
254 m away
Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, one of the five Takhts (supreme seats of temporal authority) in Sikhism, stands majestically atop a hillock in the historic city of Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar district, Punjab, India. This revered shrine marks the exact spot where Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru, created the Khalsa Panth on the auspicious day of Baisakhi, 13 April 1699 — an event that transformed the course of Sikh history and identity forever. The name Keshgarh translates to 'the fort of unshorn hair,' symbolising the Sikh commitment to maintaining Kesh, one of the five articles of faith. Situated approximately 40 kilometres from Rupnagar city (the district headquarters) and around 85 kilometres from the state capital Chandigarh, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and visitors each year from across India and the world. The Gurdwara complex sits at the heart of Anandpur Sahib, a city founded by Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in 1665 and regarded as one of the holiest cities in Sikhism. What makes Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib unique among Sikh shrines is its dual significance as both a Takht and the birthplace of the Khalsa. As a Takht, it serves as one of five centres from which Hukamnamas (edicts) guiding the Sikh community may be issued. The Jathedar (head priest) of this Takht holds one of the most important positions in Sikh religious administration. Unlike many other historic Gurdwaras, this shrine also houses an extraordinary collection of sacred relics and weapons belonging to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, including the original Khanda (double-edged sword) used to prepare Amrit during the first Khalsa initiation ceremony. The complex is managed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex governing body of Sikh Gurdwaras. Visitors experience the full traditions of Sikh hospitality here, including langar (free community kitchen), comfortable accommodation for pilgrims, and the opportunity to participate in seva (voluntary service). The Gurdwara remains open around the clock, welcoming devotees at all hours for prayer and darshan. Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib is particularly vibrant during major festivals. The annual Hola Mohalla celebrations, instituted by Guru Gobind Singh in 1701, transform Anandpur Sahib into a spectacular arena of martial displays, Nihang processions on horseback, Gatka demonstrations, kirtan, and community feasting. Baisakhi celebrations commemorating the founding of the Khalsa also draw enormous congregations. The nearby Virasat-e-Khalsa museum, a world-class heritage centre designed by architect Moshe Safdie, complements the spiritual experience with immersive exhibits on 500 years of Sikh history, making Anandpur Sahib a comprehensive destination for spiritual seekers, history enthusiasts, and cultural travellers alike.
Gurdwara Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib
ਤਖਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਕੇਸਗੜ੍ਹ ਸਾਹਿਬ
269 m away
Gurdwara Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in India. It is situated in India, the birthplace of Sikhism and home to the largest Sikh population in the world. As with all gurdwaras, Gurdwara Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva).
Ananpur Sahib Gurudwara
272 m away
Ananpur Sahib Gurudwara, more widely known as Anandpur Sahib — the 'City of Bliss' — stands as one of the holiest and most historically significant places in Sikhism, located in Rupnagar (Ropar) district of Punjab, India, near the foothills of the Shiwalik Hills. Revered as second in sanctity only to Amritsar's Golden Temple, this sacred complex draws millions of Sikh pilgrims and spiritual seekers from across India and around the world every year. Situated approximately 80 kilometres north-east of Chandigarh along the banks of the River Sutlej, the Anandpur Sahib complex is anchored by the magnificent Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib — one of Sikhism's five supreme temporal and spiritual thrones (Takhts). The complex encompasses several historically important gurdwaras, open courtyards, and community spaces that together form the living heart of the Khalsa Panth's origin. The town was founded in 1665 by Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, and later became the seat of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and final human Guru, who transformed Sikhism here in momentous ways. It was on the sacred soil of Anandpur Sahib, on Baisakhi day in 1699, that Guru Gobind Singh baptised the Panj Pyaras — the Five Beloved Ones — and gave birth to the Khalsa, the community of initiated Sikhs that continues to define Sikh identity worldwide. The gurdwara complex is not merely a place of prayer; it is a living historical monument and a hub of communal life. Visitors are welcomed irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or nationality. The langar (community kitchen), maintained through voluntary seva (service), serves thousands of free meals daily, embodying the Sikh ideals of equality and selfless service. The atmosphere is one of profound serenity punctuated by the continuous recitation of Gurbani (sacred hymns). Beyond its spiritual role, the complex sits adjacent to the world-class Virasat-e-Khalsa museum, inaugurated in 2011, which narrates the history and culture of the Sikh faith. During the annual Hola Mohalla festival — celebrated the day after Holi — Anandpur Sahib transforms into a spectacular arena of Sikh martial arts, music, poetry, and devotion, attracting hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. The surrounding landscape of hills, rivers, and forests lends the site a natural grandeur that enhances its spiritual gravity, making Ananpur Sahib Gurudwara an unmissable destination for anyone seeking to understand Sikh heritage and faith.