| Day
1 : Amritsar |
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Arrive Amritsar. On arrival in Amritsar
you will be welcomed by our representative present at
Amritsar Airport carrying placard of your name. Transfer
to Hotel.
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| Day
2 : Amritsar |
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After breakfast move for sightseeing covering.
Golden Temple- Golden Temple or Darbar
Sahib is the most sacred temple for Sikhs - one which
every Sikh longs to make a pilgrimage to, and thousands
visit daily. Guru Ram Das, the fourth Guru of the Sikhs,
who came to live near this peaceful place, started building
the pilgrimage centre around the small pool, (later
to become the Sarowar).
The Harmandir Sahib, as the main temple is known, was
envisioned by Guru Arjan Dev. It was conceived by him
to reflect the resoluteness, clarity and simplicity
of the Sikh religion. The four doors, one on each side
of the Temple, are symbolically open to all four castes
- Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras.
The beautiful gilding, artistic marble inlays and the
elaborate mirror-work on the Harmandir Sahib came much
later. It was only in the nineteenth century during
the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, that the people
of Punjab lavished their wealth on their revered shrine.
The Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs, was installed
in the Harmandir Sahib in 1604, three years after its
completion.
The fact that the foundation stone of the Golden
temple was formally laid by the Muslim mystic, Mir Mohammed
Muayyinul Islam, popularly known as Mian Mir, in 1589
on the request of Guru Arjun Dev, sends out a strong
message of communal amity. The Guru-ka-Langar or the
common canteen, provides free food to all visitors,
regardless of colour, creed, caste or gender.
Jallianwala Bagh-the historic site
where hundreds of innocent Indian men, women an children
were massacred by British General Michael Dyer on April
13, 1919. A memoral and Garden have been created here
as a national monument. Return to
hotel. Overnight stay.
Afternoon visit Indo-Pak Border to
watch retreat ceremony-35 KM on the road to Lahore
is India-Pakistan Border. A visit to the border is an
interesting experience especially at Sunset, when the
retreat ceremony takes place with the Border Security
Force on the Indian Side and the Sutlej Rangers on the
Pakistan side putting up a well coordinated and spectacular
display. The sound from the Bugles blown together
from both sides paints past on the canvas when India
and Pakistan were one, simultaneously Flags of the two
nations are ceremoniously retrieved and lights are switched
on marking the end of the day. Amidst thunderous applause
today this point is the only land route open to approach
Pakistan and central Asia.
Return to hotel in the afternoon. Overnight
stay.
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Langar

Bhangra

Wagha Border
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| Day
3: Amritsar-Tarn Taran Sahib-Goindwal Sahib-Sultanpur
Lodhi-Jalandhar |
|
Have breakfast. Proceed to Gurdwara
Sri Tarn Taran Sahib- Around 1590 Guru
Arjan Dev set out on a tour of the country between the
rivers Ravi and Beas. Here Guru Arjan Dev bought some
land and laid the foundation of a Gurdwara in honor
of Guru Ram Das and started the excavation of a tank
even larger than Amritsar. The Gurdwara has one of the
largest tanks and resembles the Golden Temple, except
that it is built on the side of the tank and has a marble
exterior. Guru Arjan Dev also established the first
home for lepers in India at Tarn Taran.
Afterwards proceed to Gurdwara Sri Khadur Sahib
This
was the family home of Guru Angad Dev. The Guru settled
here when he was married to Mata Khivi and raised their
three children here. Guru Angad Dev established this
as his religious centre on the advice of Guru Nanak
Dev Ji and spent the rest of his life living at Khadur.
Later
proceed to Goindwal to visit Gurdwara Sri Baoli
Sahib
This
was the first center of Sikhism and was established
by Guru Amar Das. The Hindus went on pilgrimage to Hardwar
and Benaras but the Sikhs needed a place of their own.
Understanding this Guru Amar Das purchased the land
and personally helped in the construction of the Gurdwara
and Baoli (well) with 84 steps leading down to it. Guru
Amar Das said that whoever recited the entire Japji
prayer of Guru Nanak Dev Ji on each of the 84 steps
with a pure heart before bathing in the Baoli would
receive spiritual emancipation.
Evening
proceed to Sultanpur Lodhi to visit
Gurdwara
Shri Ber Sahib
At
this spot Guru Nanak would go bathing early in the mornings
in the Bein river before meditation. While bathing here
one day Guru Nanak disappeared in the stream and was
missing for three days where he was in communion with
God. Upon returning the enlightened Guru Nanak began
his lifelong mission of preaching Sikhism. Guru Nanak
had planted a Ber (jujube) tree seedling on this spot
which has today grown into a large tree.
& Gurdwara Sri Hatt Sahib
As
a young man Guru Nanak was convinced by his family to
accept employment here as the accountant of the provisions
of Nawab Daulat Khan Lodhi. Guru Nanak got the job on
the recommendations of his brother-in-law Jai Ram. The
Nawab was very much impressed by the young Guru who
would work diligently in the day and spend the evenings
and night singing the praises of God with his friends.
Later
proceed to Jalandhar. Reach Jalandhar. Check in hotel.
Overnight stay at Jalandhar.
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Sri Tarn Taran Sahib

Sri Khadur Sahib

Sri Ber Sahib

Nihung
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| Day
4 : Jalandhar-Anandpur Sahib-Chandigarh |
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After
breakfast proceed to Anandpur Sahib.
Visit
Gurdwara Sri Kesgarh Sahib:
Takht
Sri Keshgarh Sahib is the birthplace of the Khalsa.
Amid the Shivalik hills, it is situated on the bank
of the Satluj. It was here on March 30th, 1699 that
a very large gathering of Sikhs had arrived at Anandpur
Sahib as per Guru Gobind Singh’s instructions. It was
here, Guru Gobind called his Five Beloved Ones and
gave them the last name 'Singh' which means Lion. Guru
Gobind Singh then humbly bowed before the Five Beloved
Ones and asked them to initiate Him into the Khalsa
Brotherhood. Some of the original weapons of Guru Gobind
Singh as well as the khanda (two edged sword) used by
the Guru to stir the amrit (sweet water) during the
Khalsa baptism ceremony are kept here.
Gurdwara
Parivar Vichora
Guru
Gobind Singh and 400 Sikhs left Anandpur Sahib on the
cold rainy night of December 5th 1705 after a prolonged
siege by the Mughal army. The Guru had been offered
safe passage if he left the town on a oath on the Koran
by emperor Aurangzeb. In the early hours of the morning
at the swollen river Sarsa the Guru and his Sikhs were
attacked by the Mughal army under the command of Wazir
Khan, breaking their oath of safe conduct. In the ensuing
confusion, cold and darkness, most of the Sikhs perished.
Some braved the current and a few including Guru Gobind
Singh were able to cross the river in the heat of the
battle. During the confusion the Guru was separated
from his family. The Guru, his two eldest sons and 40
Sikhs were able to cross the river and escape. This
gurdwara was built on the spot where the battle occurred
and the Gurus family was separated.
Later
proceed to Chandigarh. Reach Chandigarh. Overnight stay
at Chandigarh.
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Hola - Mohalla
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| Day
5 : Chandigarh |
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After breakfast move for sightseeing in chandigarh
covering
The Rock Garden Sector 1 : Open from 9 a.m.
to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. all days.An unpretentious
entrance leads to a magnificent, almot surrealist arrangement
of rock fossils, broken chinaware, discarded fluorescent
tubes, broken and cast away glass bangles, building
waste, coal and clay - all juxtaposed to create a dream
folk world of palaces, soldiers, monkeys, village life,
women and temples. These are open air sculptures, one
display separated from the other by a clever use of
tunnels, twists, turns and concealed gateways such that
this magical world unfolds in phases. You have to see
it to believe it, and will then not forget it. All of
this is enhanced by a waterfall, pool and an open air
theatre with proper stage setting.
Botanical Garden Sector 1:Between the Rock Garden
and Sukhna Lake, the Botanical garden is spread over
88 acres. Its rockeries, lily-pools, and the rare species
covered in green houses draw garden lovers as well as
botanists.
The Sukhna Lake Open all days.This 3-square-kilometre
rainfed lake was created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna
Choe, a seasonal stream coming down from the Shivalik
Hills. The roof of the 'bund' or dam, elegantly landscaped
has become a favourite promenade. Serious 'walkers'
pursue an exercise regime, families enjoy an evening
stroll, painters and photographers mingle with children
on roller skates - to partake of this extraordinary
amenity. Photographers and painters never tire of capturing
the setting sun, or the heavily clouded monsoon sky,
or the early morning mist captured with the rising winter
sun against the tranquillity of the lake. Even anglers
do not leave unrewarded.The Sukhna Lake attracts migratory
birds from places/lands as far as Siberia and elsewhere.
Government Museum Open from 10 a.m. to 4.40 p.m.
All days except Mondays & official holidaysThe museum
has a rich collection of miniature paintings of the
Gandhara and Pahari schools as also master pieces of
contemorary artists of India, including graphics.The
building, erected on columns, is itself a work of art
providing a natural canopy roof for the ground space.
This space serves as display area for large antique
sculptures, besides providing a useful semi-open area
for accommodating large numbers during exhibitions,
inaugurations and lectures.
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Rock Garden

Botanical Garden

Sukhna Lake
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| Day
6 : Chandigarh - Talwandi Sabo Bathinda |
|
After
breakfast move to Bhatinda.
Visit
Gurdwara Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo
Damdama
Sahib or Talwandi Sabo in Bhatinda district holds
great significance for Sikh for it is the place where
the guru sought rest and refuge during his battles with
the Mughals. During the Baisakhi festival (from 13th
to 15th of April), a major fair is held at Damdama Sahib
and Sikh pilgrims from all over the world congregate
here to pay homage to Guru Gobind Singhji. The fair
at Damdama Sahib dates back to about 250 years and coincides
with the Rabi, harvesting festival. Thus, it is a time
for great joy and celebration and also a time to remember
allegiance to the Sikh faith. Guru Gobind Singhji stayed
in Damdama Sahib for nine months and it was here that
he worked on the Adi Granth. He made Damdama the center
for propagating the Sikh faith and called it 'Khalsa
De Takht' or Throne of the Khalsa. He had a special
stamp issued bearing the inscription 'Amal Sahai, Guru
Gobind Singh Ji Ki Jagha takhat Damdama ji' clearly
demonstrating the importance of the place. This stamp
was used on all the important documents issueby the
Guru from Damdama Sahib.
Overnight
stay at Bhatinda.
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Sri Damdama Sahib
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| Day
7 : Bathinda - Amritsar |
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After breakfast proceed to Amritsar. Reach
Amritsar. Check in hotel. Overnight stay.
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| Day
8 : Depart Amritsar |
| After breakfast
transfer to airport to board your flight back home. Your
tour ends here. Carry home the sweet memories you had
on your trip well organized by Time Travels. |
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