Photographs attempt to provide a glimpse into the Sikh religion, its ten gurus, gurdwaras, paintings, belongings of the gurus and rulers. The photos hope to draw attention to the belongings of the Gurus and the rare paintings which are not only to be looked at as the sacred masterpieces of the past but are also to be valued and conserved.
Chola of Guru Nanak at Dera Baba Nanak. Photograph: Sondeep Shankar
A sewadar showing Baba Roop Chand's topi at Gurdwara Manji Sahib at Kartarpur. The gurdwara was once the house of Guru Har Rai's daughter Bibi Rup Kaur who was presented the topi in her dowry.
Guru Gobind Singh's arrow at Hazoor sahib, Nanded.
A priest displays sword of Akali Baba Phoola Singh ji as part of a daily ritual at Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazoor sahib, Nanded.
Daily ritual: A priest displays guru's kirpan at Takhat Hazoor sahib, Nanded.
Aarti performed at Hazoor Sahib, Nanded.
The jathedar of Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib, Nanded, has access to the sanctum santorum Angitha Sahib, where the weapons of Gurus are kept. While jathedars of four other Takhts are householders, the jathedar of Hazoor Sahib maintains the tradition of celibacy.
A sevadar at Takhat Keshgarh Sahib, holding the historic khanda associated with the Amrit ceremony conducted by Guru Gobind Singh in AD 1699.
A chola of Guru Gobind Singh preserved at Takhat Patna Sahib, Bihar.
Photograph: Sondeep Shankar
A well constructed by Guru Arjan. The well has six Persian Wheels installed that could operate simultaneously, hense the name Chheharta, meaning 'having six wheels'.
A wooden chariot crafted by a Kashmiri artisan Khuda Baksh for Guru Ramdas. It was also used by Mata Ganga ji, wife of Guru Arjan Dev.
Grind Stone, 'Chakki' of Mata Gujari at Gurdwara Ghai Ghat, Patna near Takhat Patna Sahib. Gurdwara Ghai Ghat, was Bhagat Jaitamal's house, Situated in Alamganj Mohalla. It was sanctified first by Guru Nanak in 1509 A.D. and later by Guru Tegh Bahadur along with his family in 1666 A. D.
A tabalbaz, from the collection of Sangha family of Drolli Bhai Ki
A priest at Akal Takht displaying two historic swords - Miri and Piri - worn by the sixth guru
Karchas (large spoons) and a tawa (iron plate) used by Guru Hargobind and Guru Gobind Singh ji at the kitchen used to prepare langar The Bagrian family is continuing the tradition of langar
Karchas (large spoons) and a tawa (iron plate) used by Guru Hargobind and Guru Gobind Singh ji at the kitchen used to prepare langar The Bagrian family is continuing the tradition of langar
Enbroidered fabric of the historic palenquinin which the first pothi of Gurbani was carried from Goindwal to Amritsar kept at Gurdwara Chaubara Sahib, Goindwal.
Simarana of Guru Hargobind, from the collection of the Sangha family of Droli Bhai Ki.
Historic gilded killi believed to be held by Guru Amar Das while meditating in standing position at Gurdwara Chaubara Sahib, Goindwal.
The peg which turned into a tree on a touch by Guru Amar Das. With time, the tree dried up and has been preserved in a frame for devotees to pay their tributes.
Jhama or scrub, from the collection of Sangha family of Drolli Bhai Ki
A Gagar and Ganga Sagar from the collection of Sangha family of Drolli Bhai Ki
A member of Sangha family of Drolli Bhai Ki holding Kharaon (foot wear) of Guru Hargobind
A sword of Guru Gobind Singh in the collection of Dalla family near Takhat Damdama Sahib
Dastar of of Guru Hargobind in the collection of Sangha family of Drolli Bhai ki
Weapons belonging to various gurus at Kesgarh Sahib.
Relics of 5th Guru preserved at Guyrdwara Panjavi Padshahi preserved include Guru's kurta, pyjama' hazuria' dushala' purse' hankerrchief, seat and simama' and a silk head cover.
The well used by Guru Tegh Bahadur for taking a bath at Gurdwara Sis Ganj in Chandni Chowk, Delhi
The trunk of tree beneath which the head of Guru Tegh Bahadur was severed at Gurdwara Sis Ganj in Chandni Chowk, Delhi
Shamsheer -e - Tegha, scimitar of Guru Gobind Singh at Takht Kesgarh Sahib
Nishan (signature) of Guru Gobind Singh in his personal prayer book from the collection of Bagdian family
Tabalbaz belonging to Guru Hargobind from Sangha famili of Droli Bhai Ki
Jathedar at Patna Sahib displays Hukum-i-Khas at Patna Sahib, thanking the sangat of Patna for their help to the Guru's family on birth of Gobind Rai.
Seal of to Guru Gobind Singh from the collection of Takhat Damdama Sahib
A mirror from the sangat of Delhi presented to Guru Gobind Singh, preserved at Takhat Damdama Sahib. It is believed thatpraying while looking into the mirror can cure face deformities
Sword of Guru Teg bahadur in the Collection of Maharaja of Patiala at Moti Bagh Palace. Photograph: Sondeep Shankar
A sevadar shows a childhood painting, a jooti and kanchaas of Guru Gobind Singh at Patna Sahib
Arrows used by Guru Gobind Singh in the collection of Takhat Patna Sahib
Chakar of Guru Gobind Singhinscribed with 22 Pauris of Jap ji Sahib. Photograph: Sondeep Shankar
A 'Dhal', shield of Guru Gobind Singh being displayed in Gurdwara Janam Sthan of Guru Gobind Singh ji at Takhat Patna Sahib.
A Kataar presented by Guru Gobind Singh to Bhai Tirlok and Bhai Rama from the collection of Maharaj of Patiala at Moti Bagh Palace
Swords and a Kataar of Guru Gobind Singh in Patiala collection at Moti Bagh Palace. Photograph: Sondeep Shankar
Swords with golden hilt with an inscription reading, Guru Gobind Singh Sahai, Tegh Fateh from the collection of Maharaj of Patiala at Moti Bagh Palace
Mahakali Axe to Guru Gobind Singh from the collection of Maharaj of Patiala at Moti Bagh Palace
Arrows with gold belonging to Guru Gobind Singh from the collection of Maharaj of Patiala at Moti Bagh Palace
Illustration from a hand written bir at Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded
A hand written bir at Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded
Hand written bir at Takhat Hazoor sahib
Mool - Mantra given by Guru Nanak inscribed on a door panel at Takhat Sri Hazoor Sahib
Image of Guru Nanak on a door panel at Takhat Sri Hazoor Sahib
Historic weapons of the Gurus are preserved at the Akal Takhat in Golden Temple complex, Amritsar. Photograph: Sondeep Shankar
A sikh follower from Lahore presented a gun to Guru Gobind Singh which is in the collection of Takht Kesgarh Sahib.
A shield from the times of Maharaja Ranjit Singh showing a Sikh warrior's encounter with a lion. Photograph: Sondeep Shankar
Kamarkasa of Guru Gobind Singh inscribed with pauri's from Japji Sahib in the collection of Maharaj of Patiala at Moti Bagh Palace.
A decorated sword of Guru Gobind Singh at Gurdwara Bhatta Sahib, Ropar.
A personal Katar, or sword of Guru Gobind Singh
Nagini Barcha, a spear that looks like a snake belonging to Guru Gobind Singh at Takht Kesgarh Sahib.
Daggers belonging to various Gurus in collection of the Bagdian family.
A hand written bir in the collection of the Bagdian family
Sword given by the British to Sardar Bahadur Arjun Singh of Bagdian.
A gold panel in the Harimandir Sahib depicting Guru Nanak flanked by his companions Bala and Mardana, Golden Temple in Amritsar.
A golden plaque above the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum which commemorates the services rendered by the Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It reads " The Guru was kind enough to allow the privilege of service to Durbar Sahib to his humble servant Maharaja Singh Sahib Ranjit Singh".
A priest at Akal Takhat holding weapons belonging to gurus
Paintings depicting Guru Nanak holding a rock at Takhat Si Hazoor Sahib, Nanded
Guru Hargobind blessing an issueless woman named Sulakhani sitting on his horse. The story goes that Sulakhani handed over a piece of paper and pen to the Guru and while he was writing numerical one, his horse leaped and it became numerical 7. Sukhmani was blessed with seven sons.
Paintings depicting gurus at Takhat Sri Hazoor Sahib, Nanded
A wall painting depicting Mata Ganga, wife of Guru Arjan Dev seeking blessings from Baba Budha ji
A series of paintings depicting incidents from Guru Nanak’s life in a hand painted Janamsakhi in collection of Prof. Pritam Singh, Patiala
Sikh devotees during the Jor Mela at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib in Sirhind, Punjab
A sewadar carrying two historic swords of Mata Sundari which are now kept at Gurdawara Mata Sundari ji in New Delhi.
Priceless necklace stored in the ' Toshakhana ' of the Harmandir Sahib, Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Precious jewellery presented by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and other Sikh chieftains in the 'Toshakhana' of the Harmandir Sahib, Golden Temple in Amritsar.
In the toshakhana collection of Harmandir Sahib, Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh presented precious gifts now stored in the 'Toshakhana' of the Harmandir Sahib, Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Rarely shown to the public, gold panels depicting scenes from lives of the Sikh Gurus on the doors of Harmandir Sahib. These golden doors were presented to Harmandir Sahib by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The doors are placed at the four enterances during Jalao Ceremonywhen special aricles from Toshakhana are on public display.
First Guru: Guru Nanak Dev 1469-1539
Second Guru: Guru Angad Dev 1504 - 1552
Third Guru: Guru Amar Das 1479 - 1574
Fourth Guru: Guru Ramdas. 1534 - 1581
Fifth Guru: Guru Arjan Dev 1563 - 1606
Sixth Guru: Guru Hargobind. 1595 - 1644
Seventh Guru: Guru Har Rai 1630 - 1661
Eight Guru: Guru Harkishan 1656 - 1664
Nineth Guru: Guru Teg Bahadur. 1621 - 1675
Tenth Guru: Guru Gobind Singh. 1666 - 1708
Gurdwara Tambu Sahib, Pakistan
Gurdwara Patti sahib at Nankana Sahib. Patti means Alphabet and is the site where Guru Nanak learned the various different languages and particular the alphabet of these languages.
The historic van trees in Nankana Sahibwhere Guru Nanak hid himself as a child.
Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Pakistan
Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Pakistan
Gurdwara Patther Sahib near Leh, Ladakh
Takhat Sri Akal Takhat
Takhat Patna Sahib
Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib
Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded
Takhat Damdama Sahib
Guru Arjan Dev started dictating Shri Guru Granth Sahib to Bhai Gurdas at Gurdwara Ramsar Sahib (named after Guru Ramdas). The new compilation included relics of all the four Guru’s before him andsome of his own contributions. After completion, the Guru Granth Sahib was established at Shri Harimandir Sahib. Printing of Shri Guru Granth Sahib is done here only.
Goindwal Baoli, the well of Goindwal, Guru Amar Das had a Baoli, or covered step-well
Historic wall paintings of Gurus and other Sikh leaders of the time, in a panel, under the dome of Goindwal Baoli
Gurdwara Chaubara Sahib in Goindwal seen through an arch where Guru Arjan was born
Gurdwara Khadoor Sahib, Killa sahib of Guru Sri Amardas ji
Gurdwara sangat Sahib near Takhat Hazur Sahib
Gurdwara Shikhar Ghat near Takhat Hazur Sahib
Gurdwara Khadur Sahib is situated in Khadur Sahib, Taran Taran district. It marks the place visited by eight Gurus. Guru Angad Dev ji lived here and was served by Guru Amar Das during his stay. Baba Budha ji also spent 12 years here.
Gurdwara Sri Durbar Sahib, Khadur Sahib is situated in the Tarn Taran District. The Eight Guru Sahibaans visited here to make this a holy place
Gurdwara of Baba Atal close to Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. The Gurdwara has historic paintings illustrating stories from the life of Guru Nanak Dev ji.
Gurdwara Thamb Sahib where Guru Arjan Dev laid the foundation of the city of Kartarpur in Jalandhar district
Gurdwara Shahid Ganj, Fatehgarh. It is believed that Sikhs once rescued 40 cartloads of heads of persecuted Sikhs which were being taken from Lahore for presentation to the emperor in Delhi and were cremated at this spot in 1710 AD.
Gurdwara Charan Kamal Sar marks the site of the garden where Guru Gobind Singh had a sip of water and fell asleep briefly. It was here that his three devotees Bhai Mani Singh, Bhai Daya Singh and Bhai Dharam Singh joined him.
Gurdwara Mal Akhara marks the place where Guru Angad Dev ji gave religious discourses and developed the Gurmukhi script.
Gurdwara mal Tekri Sahib near Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib
Gurdwara Guru Nanaksar Sahib is located 10 km from Takhat Hazur sahib. Guru Nanak Dev ji stopped here on way to Bidar. He meditated for nine days and nine hours under the jujube tree.
Gurdwara Nagina Ghat near Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib
Gurdwara Bhangani Sahib where Guru Gobind Singh faught and won his first battle against the hill chiefs near Paonta Sahib.
Gurdwara Sri Gurusar Pakka Sahib commemorates visit by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur who arrived in village Handiaya and rested under a grove of trees near a pond and preached the locals.
Gurdwara Siddh Bati Patshahi Pahili (Kurukshetra) Guru Nanak Dev visited during a solar eclipse in the early yeas of the sixteenth century and preached against superstitious rites and rituals. Guru Amar Das, who had made several trips to Kurukshetra as a pilgrim visited here once in 1553. Bhai Jetha, later Guru Ram Das, probably accompanied Guru Amar Das on that visit.
Snow covered gurdwara Hemkund Sahib
Gurdwara Hemkund Sahib
Deodi of Baba Deep Singh ji Shaheed Gurdwara.
Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh Shaheed (SHAHEEDAN SAHIB) is situated in the Distt City Amritsar. It is situated in Chattiwind Gate on Taran Taran road.
Gurdwara Sri Guru Ke Mahal is situated in the Amritsar near to te Golden Temple Complex. Guru Ramdas, who founded the city of Amritsar, and his family was staying here. Guru Arjan Dev got married here and was proclaimed as Guru here. Guru Hargobind was married here. This place is also birth place of Baba Atal Rai and Guru Teg Bahadur.
Guru Gobind Singh, halted here for a short time on his way to Guru ka Lahore for his marriage in 1677. The Guru donned his sehra (bridegroom's floral headband) here.
Gurdwara Ajitgarh, Anandpur
Gurdwara Sis Ganj, Anandpur Sahib
Gurdwara Biban Garh marks the place where Guru Gobind Singh recieved the severed head of his father Guru Teg Bahadur
Gurdwara built in memory of Guru Hargobind's eldest son Baba Gurditta, Kiratpur, Punjab
Gurdwara Parivar Vichora is situated on the bank of the river Sirsa near Roopnagar. This is where the 10th Guru Gobind SIngh's, family got separated from him.
Qila Fatehgarh Sahib was built to defend the town of Chakk Nanaki, which later became Anandpur Sahib.
Gurdwara Holgarh, Anandpur marks the place where Guru Gobind Singh started the practice of celebrating Hola Mohalla in 1701 AD.
Gurdwara Manji Sahib Keeratpur
Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib , Tarori, Haryana marks the place where Bhai Jaita who was carrying the severed head of Guru Teg Bahadur rested on wsy to Anandpur Sahib where Guru Gobind Singh was camping.
Gurdwara Chevin Padshahi at Thanesar, Haryana, marks the place where Guru Hargobind gave the discourse on the relation between Bhakti and Shakti.
Gurdwara Pehli Padshahi, Kurukshetra
Gurdwara Pehli Padshahi at Pehowa, Haryana is the place where Guru Nanak meditated for a long time and preached local population.
Gurdwara Manji Sahib is located in Ambala, Haryana where the sith and tenth Gurus stayed during their visit to the city.
Gurdwara Patther Sahib near Leh, Ladakh
Gurdwara Tribeni Sahib celebrates the visit of three Gurus, Guru Nanak, Guru Hargobind and Guru Gobind Singh
Gurdwara Guru Ka Lahore. A cluster of three gurdwaras (gurdwara Anand Karaj Sthan Patshahi Daswin, Gurdwara Tribeni Sahib and Gurdwara Paur Sahib all near Anandpur Sahib is related to Guru Gobind Singh's marriage with Mata Jito on June 21, 1677.
Gurdwara Ajit Garh, Anandpur
Gurdwara Sis Ganj, Anandpur Sahib
Gurdwara Biban Garh marks the place where Guru Gobind Singh recieved the severed head of his father Guru Teg Bahadur
Gurdwara built in memory of Guru Hargobind's eldest son Baba Gurditta, Kiratpur, Punjab
Gurdwara Parivar Vichora is situated on the bank of the river Sirsa near Roopnagar. This is where the 10th Guru Gobind SIngh's, family got separated from him.
Qila Fatehgarh Sahib was built to defend the town of Chakk Nanaki, which later became Anandpur Sahib.
Gurdwara Holgarh, Anandpur marks the place where Guru Gobind Singh started the practice of celebrating Hola Mohalla in 1701 AD.
Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib , Tarori, Haryana marks the place where Bhai Jaita who was carrying the severed head of Guru Teg Bahadur rested on wsy to Anandpur Sahib where Guru Gobind Singh was camping.
Gurdwara Chevin Padshahi marks the place where Guru Hargobind gave the discourse on the relation between Bhakti and Shakti.
Gurdwara Pehli Padshahi at Pehowa, Haryana is the place where Guru Nanak meditated for a long time and preached local population.
Gurdwara Bibangarh Sahib in Fatehgarh is the place where bodies of martyred Mata Gujari, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh were kept.
Gurdwara Manji Sahib is located in Ambala, Haryana where the sith and tenth Gurus stayed during their visit to the city.
Gurdwara Sri Damdama Sahib situated in village Raqba in Ludhiana marks the place where Guru Hargobind came while returning from Nanakmatta Sahib.
Gurdwara Siddh Bati Patshahi Pahili (Kurukshetra) Guru Nanak Dev visited during a solar eclipse in the early yeas of the sixteenth century and preached against superstitious rites and rituals. Guru Amar Das, who had made several trips to Kurukshetra as a pilgrim visited here once in 1553. Bhai Jetha, later Guru Ram Das, probably accompanied Guru Amar Das on that visit.
Gurdwara of Baba Atal close to Goldsen Temple complex in Amritsar
Gurudwara Sri Sant Ghat Sahib is in Sultanpur Lodhi town of Kapurthala district. on the bank of Bein river. From Ber sahib, Guru Nanak had dived into Bein river and disappeared. Guru Nanak also meditated here to the Akal Purakh and went from here to serve the World.
Gurudwara Shri Guru Ka Baag in the Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala Distt.Guru Nanak spent 14 years in Sultanpur Lodhi as a young man working for Nawab Daulat Khan Lodhi. This was the house where his two sons Baba Sri Chand and Baba Lakhmi Chand were born.
Sri Darbar Sahib Tarn Taran, built by Sri Guru Arjan Dev JI. It has the distinction of having the largest Sarovar(water pond) of all the Gurudwaras. It is the only Gurudwara which is the replica of Shri Harminder Sahib, Amritsar.
Sri Darbar Sahib Tarn Taran, built by Sri Guru Arjan Dev JI. It has the distinction of having the largest Sarovar(water pond) of all the Gurudwaras. It is the only Gurudwara which is the replica of Shri Harminder Sahib, Amritsar.
Gurudwara Tap Asthan, Khadur Sahibmarks the place of Guru Angad's meditation
Gurudwara Sri Manji Sahib is situated in the parikarma of Gurudwara Sri Darbar Sahib, Tarn Taran. Sri Guru HarGobind Sahib ji came here while going to Lahore from Delhi.
Gurdwara Thara Sahib Amritsar is situated a 20 meters north of Sri Akal Takht Sahib in the Sri Harmandir Sahib complex. This is where Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji rested when he arrived from Baba Bakala to pay his respects to the Darbar Sahib soon after he was announced as the next Guru.
Gurdwara Bhora Sahib marks the place where Guru Teg Bahadur meditated for over 26 years. It was here that Makhan Shah found the Guru of the Sikhs.
Gurdwara Nanakiana Sahib near the village of Mangval in Sangrur in the Punjab. Guru Nanak came here in the early sixteenth century, the village of Mangval was believed to be closer to the site of the present Gurdwara which stands near a deep pond. It was on the bank of this pond that the Guru had preached to the villagers. A century later, as Guru Hargobind visited the village in 1616,
Gurdwara Sri Gurusar Pakka Sahib commemorates visit by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur who arrived in village Handiaya and rested under a grove of trees near a pond and preached the locals.
Historic Baoli of Anandgarh Fort, Anandpur Sahib
Gurdwara Sheesh Mahal. at Kiratpur. This is where Guru Hargobind stayed after shifting from Amritsar. Guru Har Rai, Guru Har Krishan, Ram Rai and Bibi Rup Kaur (son and daughter of Guru Har Rai) were born here.
Kiratpur in Rupnagar district, is the location of the Gurdwara Patal Puri where Sikhs take ashes of their dead. Guru Nanak Dev is said to have visited Kiratpur when it was almost wilderness. Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru spent the last few years of his life here. Both Guru Har Rai and Guru Harkrishan were born at Kiratpur and they received the Gurgadi (Guruship) here.
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is associated with Guru Harkishan. The Gurdwara was built by Sikh General Sardar Bhagel Singh in 1783 who also supervised construction of nine other Sikh shrines in Delhi in the same year during the reign of Mughal emperor Shah Alam II.
Gurdwara Sis Ganj in Chandni Chowk Delhi
Gurdwara Kandh Sahib, Batala associated with Guru Nanak's marriage
Gurdwara Sri Padshahi Dasvi - Mohi, tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh stayed at this place for sometime in 1705, while coming from Village Alamgir via Village Jodhan on the horse which was presented to him by Bhai Nigahia Singh, a horse trader of the Village.
Sikh devotees during Jor Mela at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib in Sirhind, Punjab.
Gurdwara Lakhpat Sahib is located in the fort town of Lakhpat in Kutch, Gujrat. Several personal belongings of Guru Nanak like his wooden footwear can be seen here.