The five Takhats of Sikhs are
Akal Takhat Sahib (Amritsar, Punjab)
Keshgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib, Punjab)
Harmander Sahib (Patna Sahib, Bihar)
Sachkhand Hazur Sahib (Nanded, Maharashtra)
Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo, Punjab) (App. 27 Km from Bhatinda)
Akal Takhat Sahib:
Akal Takhat Sahib was founded by the 6th Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib. It is situated in the Darbar Sahib Complex at Amritsar (Punjab). It used to be a mound where he played as a child and it was here that he was ceremonially appointed as the Guru in 1606 A.D. Guru Sahib used to address all important issues whether religious, social or political from the Akal Takhat Sahib.
Keshgarh Sahib:
Keshgarh Sahib is most important shrine at Anandpur Sahib (Punjab). It is rightly the birthplace of the Khalsa. Here on the day of Baisakhi 1756 B.S. (1699 A.D.) Panj Pyaras offered themselves for sacrifice before Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. Here they took Khande Ke Pahul from Guru Sahib (Baptized) and new Khalsa Panth was born. Present Gurdwara stands
on a hillock. Some of the weapons of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib are displayed in the shrine. The Khanda (double edged broad sword) which was used to prepare Khande Ke Pahul by Guru Gobind Singh Sahib at the time of birth of Khalsa is also kept there.
Harmander Sahib Patna Sahib:
Harmander Sahib Patna Sahib is situated at Patna Sahib (Bihar). Guru Gobind Singh Sahib was born (Prakash) here in 1723 B.S. (1666 A.D.) and spent the initial years of his life before shifting to Anandpur Sahib.
Sachkhand Hazur Sahib:
Sachkhand Hazur Sahib is situated at Nanded (Maharashtra), a place on the bank of Godavari. Guru Gobind Singh Sahib breathed his last (Jyoti Jot) here in 1765 B.S. (1707 A.D.). Here Banda Singh Bahadur met the Guru and became a Sikh and was sent to Punjab.
Damdama Sahib:
Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo, about 27 Km from Bhatinda, Punjab) is considered Kashi for Sikhs and here complete Guru Granth Sahib was narrated by Guru Gobind Singh Sahib and written by Bhai Mani Singh Ji.
Author: Dr. Sarbjit Singh