The Golden Temple is the ultimate Sikh pilgrimage. The Harmandir Sahib, as it is traditionally known, actually means the temple of Hari or the Supreme God. Also known as the Darbar Sahib, the stupendous, architectural phenomena is located at the city of Amritsar. The temple's exterior is gold-plated and the structure stands in the middle of a square tank. There is a causeway across the Pool of Nectar to reach the Temple. The shrine is symbolical of the doctrines of Sikhism. It also represents the magnificent strength of all the Sikhs. The amazing thing about Harmandir Sahib is that it has doorways on all four sides, meant to be open for the people of the all four castes. All over the, the Sikhs always look forward to visit to the magnificent temple and offer prayers at the Harmandir Sahib. More on Harmandhir Sahib

Hazur Sahib is on the banks of Godavari in Maharashtra. This is where Guru Gobind Singh left this world. The inner room of the temple is called Angitha Sahib. Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib is the principal shrine at Nanded. It marks the site where the Guru had his camp in 1708 A.D. after the departure of the emperor Bahadur Shah. The tenth Guru held his court and congregation here. It is the site of his own tent where he was convalescing after he was attacked by assassins. It is the place from where the tenth Guru rose to heaven along with his horse Dilbag.

Sirhind's Fatehgarh Sahib Gurudwara is yet another important destination for Sikh pilgrims. This gurudwara has been built on the site where 300 years ago, Guru Gobind Singhji's two young sons were entombed alive by the Mughals. Sikhs congregate here to remember their martyrdom and to pay homage to them and to their Guru. In December, during the annual Jor Mela, thousands of people gather here in remembrance and the Gurudwara resounds with celebration and devotion. Recitations of hymns mingle with the beats of the lilting folk songs and there are performances of Punjab's boisterous dance like the Bhangra and the Gidda. In the Guru Ke Langar, sevaks help to feed the devotees with free food. Stalls selling handicrafts, jewellery, traditional weapons, costumes and regional fare are set up.

Not all pilgrim sites for Sikhs are in Punjab. In Uttaranchal's Garhwal region is the Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib. There is an interesting story behind this pilgrim site-it is believed that before his birth, Guru Gobind Singhji was performing tapasya (meditation) here. Thereafter, he was born on earth in order to rescue people from the tyranny of Aurangzeb, especially from his overzealous attempts to convert people it Islam. In one of his writings, Guru Gobind Singh described the locale around Hemkund Sahib. An army havildar who had read this description undertook the arduous journey to locate the place and was successful in his endeavor. A small Gurudwara was built at the spot and over the years, a large Gurudwara has been established here. A pilgrimage to Hemkund Sahib is dependent on the season as the route is closed due to heavy snowfall during the winter. The route is usually open between June and October and despite the danger of landslides, it is not unusual to find busloads of Sikhs from all over the country heading for Hemkund Sahib.

In Delhi, the Gurudwara Sisganj, the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, and the Rakabganj Gurudwara are popular pilgrimage sites. The Gurudwara Sisganj marks the spot where guru Teg Bahadur was beheaded. It is said that during Aurangzeb's rule, the priests held special ceremonies to find ways to combat his forced conversions to Islam. It was prophesied that these conversions would stop only when a great man sacrificed himself. The priests then approached Guru Teg Bahadur who asked about the identity of this great man. His son Guru Gobind Singhji then retorted 'Who can be greater than you, Father?' So then Guru Teg Bahadur went to meet Aurangzeb. Offered a choice between death and conversion by Aurangzeb, the Guru chose death. Thus he gave up his head but did not give up his faith. At all the Sikh pilgrimage sites, the most palpable feelings are the strong sense of community and service. In fact, one of the biggest features of this religion is the community building of the gurudwara wherein each Sikh offers his labor, skill or any other contribution he can make in terms of finance or material