Goindwal Sahib – A Pilgrimage Place in Amritsar

About Goindwal Sahib

Located on the banks of River Beas near the holy city of Amritsar in the Indian state of Punjab, Goindwal Sahib is known as the axis of Sikhism, since it was the first center built to practice and preach Sikhism.

The place is of great significance among the Sikhs as a popular Sikh guru, guru Amar Das stayed in Goindwal for a period of 33 years, and it is this very place where he met the next guru, Guru Ram Das. In fact, another Sikh guru, Guru Arjan Dev was also born in this same place.

During Guru Amar Das’ stay here, he built a stepwell, called a baoli, with 84 steps. Many believe that chanting the words Japji Sahib, while stepping on each of the 84 steps after taking a bath in the holy Baoli grants the devotees moksha—freedom from the cycle of birth for up to 84,00,000 cycles of life.

The gurudwara, as well as the Goindwal Baoli as on today, attracts large numbers of devotees from all across the country who take a keen interest in its religious essence and make it a point to visit the destination every year. The community kitchen also serves food to a large number of visitors on a daily basis, the process of which is commonly referred to as langar.