Gurudwara Sri Ramsar Sahib: The Abode of Sikh Scripture

Gurudwara Sri Ramsar Sahib holds a special place in Sikh history as the site where the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, compiled the Adi Granth, which later became the Guru Granth Sahib. In the early 17th century, after the completion of Sri Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in 1601, Guru Arjan Dev Ji sought a quiet and secluded spot to focus on this important task. He chose a serene location about 1 km away from the bustling town, and to enhance the peaceful environment, he had a tank dug, naming it Ramsar after his father, Guru Ram Das Ji. Here, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, along with his scribe Bhai Gurdas Ji, spent over a year compiling the holy hymns of the first four Gurus and adding his own compositions, as well as writings from Hindu and Muslim saints. The selection was based on the principle of the unity of God and the brotherhood of mankind. The completed Adi Granth was then installed with honor in Sri Harimandir Sahib in 1604. Today, Gurudwara Sri Ramsar Sahib stands on the bank of the Ramsar Sarovar, which is the smallest of Amritsar's five holy sarovars. The gurudwara, built in 1855, features a marble-lined hall topped by a gilded, fluted lotus dome. It continues to be a revered place for Sikhs, symbolizing the preservation of their sacred scriptures and the embodiment of the Gurus' philosophy. The printing of the Guru Granth Sahib is also done here in modern times.