Know the five Takhts of Sikhism

New Delhi: India is known for its unity in diversity. India has always been a compilation of various religions and cultures. Various cultural architectures can be seen across the country depicting the rich cultural inheritance of the country.Since many religions reside here, India also has a rich religious background. One of the religions of India is Sikhism, which is the fourth largest religion of the country. Sikhism was founded by their first guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 15th century.Sikhism comprises of ten gurus, while their last guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji passed the Guruship to their present and eternal guru, Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the holy book for Sikhs.Sikh distinction was further enhanced by the establishment of the Khalsa Panth, by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.Though it was started over 500 years ago, quite young as compared to other religions of India, it has a rich cultural background and its cultural legacy can be seen athwart India.One of the major inheritances of Sikhism is the Five Takhts.Takht actually means a throne or seat of the authority. These five Gurdwaras known as the Five Takhts (Royal Thrones), namely Akal Takht Sahib, Takht Shri Damdama Sahib, Takht Shri Keshgarh Sahib, Takht Shri Hazur Sahib and Takht Shri Patna Sahib respectively, have a very special significance for the Sikh community.They are considered the seats of Sikh religious authority. Many important decisions concerning the religious and social life of the Sikh community were made hereHere we present the history of these takhts and their importance respectively.Akal Takht Sahib The first and the most important takht is the Akal Takht Sahib which means the Eternal Throne. It was established by Guru Hargobind in 1609. Situated opposite to Harmandir Sahib (The Golden Temple) in Amritsar is a part of the Golden Temple complex. While the Golden Temple symbolizes spiritual guidance, the Akal Takht Sahib, symbolizes the dispensing of justice and temporal activity. Also many major decisions regarding the politics of Sikhism are taken from here.The architecture of Akal Takht is such that one can't see Akal takht Sahib while sitting in the Golden Temple, while one can clearly see the Golden Temple while Akhal Takht Sahib. This symbolizes that one should never forget his God, while indulging in the political and social activities.Hari Singh Nalwa, a general of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, decorated the Akhal Takht with gold.Akal Takht has been witness to a various series of attacks. While Ahmed Shah Abdali and Massa Rangar attacked the Akal Takht and Harmandir Sahib in the 18th century, it was highly damaged by the Indian Army during the Blue Star Operation in 1984. Takht Shri Keshgarh Sahib Situated in Anandpur Sahib, Takht Shri Keshgarh sahib is the birth place of the Khalsa Panth. The tenth guru of Sikhs, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, initiated the Khalsa Panth, when he prepared the holy water “Amrit” and baptized the Panj-Pyaras, after which the guru himself got baptized by the Panj Pyaras.It was the eve of Baisakhi in 1699, when the people were gathered at the fort of Keshgarh Sahib, to celebrate Baisakhi, when Guru Gobind Singh Ji along with a sword in his hand addressed the gathering saying that they all are dear to him, but he wants a head of a devotee and asked people for a volunteer. At that moment, Daya Ram, a Khatri of Lahore, arose and offered himself to the Guru. He walked behind the Guru to a tent near by.Guru Gobind Singh returned with his sword dripping blood and demanded another head. This time Dharam Singh, a Chamar from Hastinapur, presented himself to the Guru. Like this Guru Gobind Singh made three more calls, which where responded by Mohkam Chand, a calico printer/tailor from Dwarka, Himmat Rai, a water-bearer from Jagannath Puri, and Sahib Chand, a barber from Bidar respectively.The disciples wore saffron-coloured raiment topped over with neatly tied turbans of the same colour. Guru Gobind Singh, similarly dressed, introduced his chosen Sikhs to the audience as Panj Pyare, the five devoted spirits beloved of the Guru.After which he performed the ceremony of preparing the holy water, as he kept churning it with a khanda, i.e. double-edged sword, while reciting over it the sacred verses.Later the Panj Pyare were baptized with “Amrit” afer which Guru Gobind Singh Ji were baptized by the Panj Pyare and became Gobind Singh from Gobind Rai.Some of the weapons of Guru Gobind Singh are displayed in Keshgarh Sahib.Takht Shri Patna Sahib Located in the city of Patna, Bihar, Takht Shri Patna Sahib is the birth place of the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Guru Gobind Singh was born in 1666 in Patna Sahib and spent his early years before moving to Anandpur.Besides being the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, Patna was also honoured by visits from Guru Nanak as well as Guru Tegh Bahadur.Quite a few relics of the Guru Gobind Singh Ji are also preserved in this shrine that include a 'pangura' (cradle) with four stands covered with golden plates, four iron arrows, sacred sword of the Master and a pair of his sandals. 'Hukamnamas', the written orders of Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Tegh Bahadur contained in a book are also kept in this holy Gurudwara.Takht Shri Damdama Sahib Situated in the village of Talwandi Sabo near Bhatinda, Punjab, Takht Shri Damdama Sahib, is the place where Guru Gobind Singh Ji compiled the final edition of the Guru Granth Sahib known as the Damdama Sahib Bir in 1705.It was at this time when the hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, the ninth Guru and father of Guru Gobind Singh were added to the Bir.Damdama Sahib is also known as Guru Ki Kashi. Baba Deep Singh Ji was installed as the first Jathedar (head) of this temporal seat.The first Guru Granth Sahib hand written by Guru Gobind Singh resides here.This Takht was officially recognized as the fifth Takht of Sikhism on 18 November 1966.Takht Shri Hazur Sahib Situated on the banks of Godavari in Maharashtra, Takht Shri Hazur Sahib is the place, where the tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji left for his heavenly abode.Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib is the principal shrine at Nanded.It was here when Guru Gobind Singh Ji announced that from hereon, there won't be any physical appearance of the Guru, as he conferred the Guruship to Guru Granth Sahib Ji and announced the holy book as the present and the eternal Guru of the Sikhs.The present building of the Takhat Sahib was got constructed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh with money, artisans and labour sent from Punjab during early 1830s. The inner room of the temple is called Angitha Sahib.