Start Planning Your Visit
All About the Gurudwara / Cultural & Religious Festivals / Festival Calendar & Festival Alerts / Location Map / Hotel Booking / How to Reach / Air, Train, Bus & Taxi Booking / Visitors’ Reviews & Photos / Nearby Pilgrim Places & Other Places of Interest / Donations / Volunteers / Official Website / YouTube Videos
Why this shrine matters
Founded by the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Gurudwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib (also called Sri Darbar Sahib, Tarn Taran) is renowned for its vast sarovar—the largest among all gurdwaras. The shrine draws devotees year-round and especially on Amavasya (new-moon) when large congregations gather for kirtan and paath.
A quick historical note
- Establishment: Attributed to Guru Arjan Dev Ji; many sources place the founding around the late 16th century. Some Sikh references note 1590 and that Baba Budha Ji laid the foundation stone.
- Name & fame: The sarovar gave the place its name and spiritual pull; over time the town that grew around it took on the same name. Monthly Amavas sangats remain a hallmark of the site.
Architecture & the Sarovar
- The sanctum’s white marble and gold work mirror the aesthetic of Sikh sacred architecture in this region, with broad parikrama around the water.
- The sarovar is the star—immense, serene, and central to the spiritual experience here.
Darshan hours & etiquette
- Timings: Commonly 5:00 am – 10:00 pm, seven days a week. (Local notices can vary on festival days.)
- Etiquette: Cover your head, remove footwear, wash hands/feet before entry; photography may be restricted in certain areas.
How to Reach
Nearest hub: Amritsar
- By Road: Tarn Taran is roughly 20–26 km from Amritsar (≈ 30–45 min by car, traffic permitting). Taxis and app cabs are readily available.
- By Train: Multiple short local passenger trains run between Amritsar (Bhagtanwala) and Tarn Taran (TTO); travel time ~20–30 min.
- By Air: Fly to Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (ATQ), Amritsar; continue by road to Tarn Taran. (Airport to Tarn Taran typically under an hour depending on route/traffic.) [General routing via Amritsar]
Best Time to Visit
- October–March: Pleasant weather; ideal for unhurried parikramas and seva.
- Key occasions: Amavasya monthly gatherings, Baisakhi/Vaisakhi (13/14 April), and Gurpurabs see especially vibrant sangats. Expect heavier footfall.
Things to Do (Spiritually & Culturally)
- Participate in kirtan & ardas in the main sanctum.
- Perform seva—from jora ghar (footwear service) to langar—according to the gurdwara’s guidance.
- Parikrama of the sarovar: Spend time in simran; sunrise and late evening are particularly tranquil.
Nearby Attractions (Easy Day-Trip Circuit)
- Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar: The holiest Sikh shrine; about 20–26 km from Tarn Taran.
- Gurdwara Goindwal Sahib & Baoli: Historic step-well and important early Sikh centre at Goindwal.
- Khadur Sahib: Associated with Guru Angad Dev Ji.
- Baba Bakala Sahib: Linked to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
- Gurdwara Lakeer Sahib (in Tarn Taran district): Commemorates Baba Deep Singh Ji drawing a line for committed warriors before marching to Amritsar.
Practical Tips
- Arrive early or post-sunset for cooler weather and calmer queues; festival days can be very busy.
- Dress modestly and keep a scarf/rumal handy for head covering.
- Check local advisories during monsoon or in case of regional flooding updates affecting rural approaches.