Last reviewed 1 Oct 2026 · Facts as of 1 Oct 2026 · 6 min read
How to study. For each site, remember where (district), who or what event, and who built it. Many exam questions simply ask "X is located in which city/district?"
1. Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Also called | Sri Darbar Sahib, Golden Temple |
| City founded by | Guru Ram Das (Ramdaspur, 1577 by tradition) |
| Sarovar (Amrit Sarovar) | Excavated under Guru Ram Das |
| Temple built by | Guru Arjan Dev (completed 1604 when the Adi Granth was installed); the foundation stone is traditionally attributed to the Muslim saint Mian Mir |
| Architecture | Built below the level of the surroundings, with four doors facing four directions, symbolising openness to all; blend of Hindu and Islamic styles |
| Gold plating | Done under Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the early 19th century |
| First granthi | Baba Buddha |
| Other | Guru ka Langar serves tens of thousands daily; Akal Takht faces the temple; Baba Atal Rai Tower, Central Sikh Museum, Jubi tree |
| Events | Attacked by Ahmad Shah Abdali (1757, 1762); Operation Blue Star (June 1984) |
2. The Five Takhts
| Takht | Location | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Akal Takht Sahib | Amritsar | Built by Guru Hargobind in 1606; supreme seat of Sikh temporal authority |
| Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib | Anandpur Sahib | Where the Khalsa was founded (1699) |
| Takht Sri Damdama Sahib | Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda) | Guru Gobind Singh rested for months and prepared the Damdama Sahib version of the Guru Granth Sahib; called the "Guru Kashi" |
| Takht Sri Patna Sahib | Patna (Bihar) | Birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh |
| Takht Sri Hazur Sahib | Nanded (Maharashtra) | Where Guru Gobind Singh passed away (1708) |
3. Other major gurdwaras of Punjab
| Gurdwara | Place | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib | Anandpur Sahib (Rupnagar) | Khalsa birthplace |
| Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib | Fatehgarh Sahib | Memorial of the younger Sahibzade (Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh) bricked alive at Sirhind in 1704, and Mata Gujri; Jor Mela each December |
| Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib / Muktsar Sahib | Sri Muktsar Sahib | Battle of Muktsar (1705) and the Forty Liberated Ones (Chali Mukte); Maghi Mela |
| Gurdwara Tarn Taran Sahib | Tarn Taran | Built by Guru Arjan Dev in 1590; large sarovar |
| Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak | Gurdaspur | Where Guru Nanak lived; near the Kartarpur Corridor |
| Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur | Narowal (Pakistan) | Guru Nanak's final home; accessible via the Kartarpur Corridor (opened 9 November 2019) |
| Gurdwara Goindwal Sahib | Tarn Taran | Baoli Sahib with 84 steps; founded by Guru Amar Das |
| Gurdwara Baba Bakala | Amritsar | Where Guru Tegh Bahadur was declared the Guru (1664) |
| Gurdwara Sri Kiratpur Sahib | Rupnagar | Founded by Guru Hargobind; associated with Gurus Har Rai and Har Krishan |
| Gurdwara Sri Chamkaur Sahib | Rupnagar | Battle of Chamkaur (1704) where Guru Gobind Singh's elder sons fell |
| Gurdwara Ber Sahib | Sultanpur Lodhi (Kapurthala) | Where Guru Nanak reportedly meditated and received enlightenment; the Kali Bein |
| Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib | Patiala | Associated with Guru Tegh Bahadur |