Gurdwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib

Situated 30 kms from Amritsar, Tarn Taran Sahib is a town in the Majha region of the state of Punjab, in northern India. Gurdwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib, a prominent Sikh shrine is located in the central part of the city. The site has the distinction of having the largest water pond (sarovar) of all the Gurdwaras in the world. The water pond runs nearly 1000 feet by 750 feet. According to Sikh tradition, the water of the pond was found to possess medicinal properties, especially efficacious for curing leprosy. For this reason the sarovar is also known as Dukh Nivaran - meaning “the eradicator of affliction”.

Tarn Taran Sahib was founded by the Fifth Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1563–1606). He was so enchanted by its natural beauty that he established a town and named it Tarn Taran - meaning “the boat to cross the ocean of existence”. He laid the foundation of Sri Tarn Taran Sahib Temple.

The Gurdwara is an elegant, three-storied structure at the south-eastern corner of the sarovar. The upper portion of the edifice is covered with glittering gold-plated sheets, which is the result of a re-laying work in 2005. The same year marked a major renovation of the place, wherein apart from the new gold plating, new work was done inside the Gurudwara. New marble was inlaid, a big complex was built, and more buildings were added around the complex.

The town has many other historical Gurdwaras as well. Apart from agriculture, Tarn Taran has many small-scale to large-scale industries, including sugar distilleries, poultry farms and spinning mills. Gurdwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib makes for an ideal day trip from Amritsar, with plenty of buses running from the Amritsar Bus Stand.