Chandigarh Tour Packages, Chandigarh Sight seeing

  Chandigarh Tour Packages  

For more details, contact us at +9910000857 or visit www.sikhtourism.com 

Tour GT-102A : Chandigarh City 1 Night/2 Days Tour
Places Covered : Chandigarh Only

Day 1. Arrive Chandigarh by Train/Flight. Pickup from Chandigarh Railway station/Airport and transfer to Hotel. Afternoon visit Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake. Night at Chandigarh Hotel.
Day 2. Breakfast, morning visit Chandigarh Museum, Rose Garden and Leisure Valley. Evening drop at Chandigarh Airport/Railway station.

Standard Package	Deluxe Package
For 2 Persons : Rs 2450 Per Person	For 2 Persons : Rs 3450 Per Person
For 4 Persons : Rs 2150 Per Person	For 4 Persons : Rs 2900 Per Person
For 6 Persons : Rs 1750 Per Person	For 6 Persons : Rs 2500 Per Person
- AC Budget Hotel for 1 night    on Double sharing basis - Only Breakfast in the Meals. - AC Car for Sight seeing.	- AC 3 Star Hotel for 1 night    on Double sharing basis - Only Breakfast in the Meals. - AC Deluxe Car for Sight seeing.

Tour GT-102B : Chandigarh Anandpur 1 Night/2 Days Tour
Places Covered : Chandigarh, Anandpur Sahib

Day 1. Arrive Chandigarh by Train/Flight. Pickup from Chandigarh Railway station/Airport and transfer to Hotel. Afternoon visit Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake. Night at Chandigarh Hotel.
Day 2. Breakfast, morning drive for Anandpur Sahib and visit Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib & Virasat-e-Khalsa (Khalsa Heritage Memorial). Afternoon drive back to Chandigarh and drop at Railway station/Airport.

Standard Package	Deluxe Package
For 2 Persons : Rs 2800 Per Person	For 2 Persons : Rs 3800 Per Person
For 4 Persons : Rs 2550 Per Person	For 4 Persons : Rs 3300 Per Person
For 6 Persons : Rs 2050 Per Person	For 6 Persons : Rs 2800 Per Person
- AC Budget Hotel for 1 night    on Double sharing basis - Only Breakfast in the Meals. - AC Car for Sight seeing.	- AC 3 Star Hotel for 1 night    on Double sharing basis - Only Breakfast in the Meals. - AC Deluxe Car for Sight seeing.

Tour GT-102C : Chandigarh and Gurudwara Tour 2 Nights/3 Days
Places Covered : Chandigarh, Anandpur Sahib and Fatehgarh Sahib.

Day 1. Arrive Chandigarh by Train/Flight. Pickup from Chandigarh Railway station/Airport and transfer to Hotel. Afternoon visit Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake. Night at Hotel.
Day 2. Breakfast, morning drive for Anandpur Sahib and visit Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib & Virasat-e-Khalsa (Khalsa Heritage Memorial Sri Anandpur Sahib). Evening drive back to Chandigarh. Night at Chandigarh Hotel.
Day 3. Breakfast, morning drive for Fatehgarh Sahib to visit Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurudwara Bhora Sahib, Gurudwara Burj Mata Gujri and Gurudwara Shahid Ganj. Evening drive back to Chandigarh & drop at Railway station/Airport.

Standard Package	Deluxe Package
For 2 Persons : Rs 4750 Per Person	For 2 Persons : Rs 7050 Per Person
For 4 Persons : Rs 4600 Per Person	For 4 Persons : Rs 6100 Per Person
For 6 Persons : Rs 3800 Per Person	For 6 Persons : Rs 5300 Per Person
- AC Budget Hotel for 2 nights    on Double sharing basis - Only Breakfast in the Meals. - AC Car for Sight seeing.	- AC 3 Star Hotel for 2 nights    on Double sharing basis - Only Breakfast in the Meals. - AC Deluxe Car for Sight seeing.

Tour GT-102D : Chandigarh Cultural 2 Nights/3 Days Tour
Places Covered : Chandigarh, Anandpur Sahib and Pinjore.

Day 1. Arrive Chandigarh by Train/Flight. Pickup from Chandigarh Railway station/Airport and transfer to Hotel. Afternoon visit Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake. Night at Hotel.
Day 2. Breakfast, morning drive for Mohali to visit Chappar Chiri - A world-class Heritage Memorial. Later drive for Anandpur Sahib to visit Virasat-e-Khalsa (Khalsa Heritage Memorial at Sri Anandpur Sahib). Evening drive back to Chandigarh. Night at Chandigarh Hotel.
Day 3. Breakfast, morning drive for Pinjore to visit Pinjore Gardens (also known as Yadavindra Gardens). Evening drop at Chandigarh Railway station/Airport.

Standard Package	Deluxe Package
For 2 Persons : Rs 4350 Per Person	For 2 Persons : Rs 6450 Per Person
For 4 Persons : Rs 4150 Per Person	For 4 Persons : Rs 5650 Per Person
For 6 Persons : Rs 3500 Per Person	For 6 Persons : Rs 4950 Per Person
- AC Budget Hotel for 2 nights    on Double sharing basis - Only Breakfast in the Meals. - AC Car for Sight seeing.	- AC 3 Star Hotel for 2 nights    on Double sharing basis - Only Breakfast in the Meals. - AC Deluxe Car for Sight seeing.

www.sikhtourism.com  (http://www.sikhtourism.com/chandigarh-tour-packages.htm )

Delhi Hazur Sahib Flight Tour Packages

Delhi - Hazur Sahib by Flight
( Departure from Delhi every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday only)

Day 1 : Early morning Flight for Hazur Sahib from New Delhi. Reach Hazur Sahib. Pickup from Airport and drop at Hotel. Afternoon visit Gurudwara Hazur Sahib and attend evening Aarti. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2 : Breakfast, Day tour of Gurudwara Nanak Jheera, Bidar and Gurudwaras enroute, evening back at Nanded. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 : Breakfast, Day tour of all local historical Gurudwaras around Nanded - Gurudwara Banda Ghat Sahib, Gurudwara Shikar Ghat Sahib, Gurudwara Nagina Ghat Sahib, Gurudwara Sangat Sahib, Gurudwara Mal Tekdi Sahib, Gurudwara Hira Ghat Sahib and Mata Sahib Devaan Ji. Evening drop at Hazur Sahib Airport for Flight for Delhi. Reach Delhi late evening.

Package Cost Per Person : From Rs 11000 to 16500 inclusive of Air Tickets, Hotel Accommodation and all Gurudwara tours by Car.
(Cost depends on Air Fares which are not fixed and change as per date of travel)

For more details, visit our website at http://www.sikhtourism.com/hazur-sahib.htm

Direct Flight from Delhi to Hazur Sahib

Goair is starting Direct Flight from Delhi to Hazur Sahib from April 6, 2010. The flight will operate every Tuesday and Thursday. Return flights will be also on the same day.

For more information and Delhi Hazur Sahib Tour packages, visit at Sikhtourism website.

Gurudwara Saragarhi memorial, a tribute to the gallantry of 21 Sikh soldiers

Every year Sikhs in Punjab's Ferozepur district mark Saragarhi Day to remember the unparalleled valour, demonstrated by 21 Sikh soldiers on September 12, 1897 while participating in the battle of Saragarhi against a 10,000 strong enemy force.The Sikh soldiers of the 4th Battalion (then 36th Sikhs) of the Sikh Regiment of British India were sent to defend Fort Lockhart at Saragarhi post, in North West Frontier Province (now in Pakistan). Some 10,000 tribesmen had attacked the Saragarhi post. The battle lasted over six hours and one by one the defenders kept falling while trying to protect their post. But they did not surrender. The day of battle is observed each year as `Saragarhi Day' to mark the event.

The Gurudwara, named Saragarhi memorial, in Ferozepur today stands as a protected monument and is a tribute to those Sikh soldiers who sacrificed their lives. The memorial gurudwara, surrounded by half-a-dozen small and big cannons with names of the 21 brave soldiers inscribed on its walls, was built by the army with stones from the Saragarhi post. It was declared open in 1904 by Sir Charles Revz. Saragarhi memorial is an inspiration to many a symbol of courage and bravery.

Captain Sadhu Singh of the Sikh Regiment, said:" About 110-years-ago, on 12th of September, 1897 a war was fought, in which 21 brave soldiers were martyred while fighting under the leadership of Hawaldar Ishwar Singh at Saragarhi Post. In memory of those martyrs, we celebrate this day every year. Whatever our ancestors have given us in legacy is for the making of our nation and community proud. "

On the occasion of 110th anniversary of the Saragarhi Day a cross-country run was held in which hundreds of civilians as well as army personnel participated. After covering a distance of nine miles on the Faridkot-Ferozepur Road, the run culminated at the Saragarhi Memorial Gurudwara. The Sikh Regiment organized cross-country and cycle rally with the support of the state government to inspire youth and instill a spirit of sacrifice for the motherland in them.

Ferozepur city in South-west Punjab is on the sensitive border with Pakistan that has witnessed three wars. The border village lacks medical facilities and to make the Saragarhi Day a memorable one the army also organized a free medical camp .

Each year by observing the Saragarhi Day, the spirit and inspiration is kept alive from generation to generation.

Sikh guru in Heroes of Environment list

Heaping praises on environmentalist Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal for launching a campaign to clean up the polluted 'Kali Bein' in Punjab, Time magazine has profiled the Sikh sect leader as one of the 30 'Heroes of Environment' selected from across the globe. Describing Seechewal as the man 'who set out to clean up this mess', the magazine lauded him for mobilising people to launch a movement that taught the people why they should clean the 'Kali Bein'.

'We have proved that it is possible to restore our rivers to a pristine condition if we all come together,' Seechewal told the Time magazine.

'It is time to do that on a bigger scale,' he said.

'Kali Bein', the 160-km-long river in Hoshiarpur district in Punjab, was reduced to a filthy drain into which people from more than six towns and 40 villages emptied their waste, leaving neighbouring farmlands parched. The river was revived a couple of years back after Seechewal and his followers took up the cause and raised funds to clean the river, which is now a favourite picnic spot.

Sikhs believe that Guru Nanak Dev attained enlightenment after taking a dip in 'Kali Bein' 500 years back before founding Sikhism.

'In 2000, Seechawal, a Sikh holy man, set out to clean up the mess in the river. The scale of the task was gigantic-volunteers cleared the entire riverbed of water hyacinth and silt, and built riverbanks and roads alongside the river,' the magazine wrote.

Seechawal launched a public-awareness campaign asking the villagers to dispose of their sewage elsewhere and some people revived traditional methods of waste disposal and treatment.

'A government order to divert water from a nearby canal was eventually obtained. As the riverbed was cleared, natural springs revived and the river began to fill up. Since then trees have been planted along its banks and fishing has been preserve biodiversity,' the magazine said.

Nanded, Hazur Sahib Airport to be operational from Oct 4, 2008

Sikh religious town of Nanded will come on the country’s civil aviation map from Oct 4, 2008 with an inaugural flight from Mumbai, an official said here Friday. The flight to Nanded, around 625 km from Mumbai, will immensely benefit thousands of Sikhs from India and around the world who are planning to visit there this month on the occasion of the 300th anniversary celebrations of Gurta Gaddi Guru Granth Sahib of Khalsa Sikh Panth.

Keeping in view the sentiments of the predominantly Sikh population of Nanded, the airport has been named “Shri Guru Gobind Singhji Airport”.

The town also has a monument “Shri Huzur Abchalanager Sachkhand Gurudwara”, dedicated to the 10th Sikh Guru, which is visited by millions of devotees throughout the year, the official said.

Nanded, with a population of 500,000, had a small airstrip constructed 50 years ago and was upgraded in 1974 to handle Vayudoot and other small and private aircraft flights. However, all commercial operations ceased from the airport in 1990.

Now, the airport has been upgraded at a cost of Rs.940 million and the facilities available include a huge terminal building to handle 300 passengers and a runway to handle big aircraft like Boeing 737s and Airbus 319-320.

It also now has three parking bays for large aircraft, six check-in counters, and all other passenger and flight operations facilities, including night operations.

Kingfisher Airlines will operate a regular service on the new Mumbai-Nanded-Latur sector, departing here at 6 a.m., halting at Nanded and reaching Latur at 8.20 a.m. The flight will depart from Latur at 8.45 a.m. and after a halt at Nanded, arrive in Mumbai at 10.10 a.m. The flights will operate Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Enabling devotees at Dera Baba Nanak to catch a glimpse of Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan

In order to facilitate devotees at Dera Baba Nanak to catch a glimpse of the historical Kartarpur Sahib gurduwara in Pakistan located in Narowal district, the BSF has constructed a beautiful viewing area.

Located on the banks of the Ravi, the gurdwara is at the place where founder of the Sikh religion Guru Nanak Dev (1469 -1539) spent the last years of his life as a humble farmer. Interestingly, the gurdwara is just 4.5 km away from the viewing point and is clearly visible with the naked eye on clear days. Besides, the personnel at the border observation posts too are helpful and willingy to lend their binoculars to the devotees who cannot afford to visit the place.

Over the years, the demand to have a corridor to the shrine has gathered momentum. Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reiterated his desire to have a corridor to the holy place so that devotees can visit it without any restrictions.

Talking to The Tribune, Baba Sukhdeep Singh Bedi, who claims to be a descendant of Guru Nanak Dev, said he had shouldered the responsibility so that sangat could offer prayers easily. Earlier, the devotees had to sit at the Dhussi Bandh and there were no facilities of any kind at that place. The conditions used to worsen in case of inclement weather, he pointed out.

He said the viewing area comprises a spacious cabin for visiting dignitaries and a roofed stand for general public. In addition to it, binoculars would be provided to the visitors so that they can have a closer look. Funding had never been a problem since devotees have offered their help regularly. All the material had been procured keeping the aesthetic beauty of place in mind, Bedi added. The BSF officials said they tried their best to help the devotees and had improved the road network in the area with the help of Border Area Development Funds. An official said when the BSF told the Pakistani Rangers that some trees block the view of the historic gurdwara from India’s side, the later pruned those trees to give a better vision.

Sikh Tourism introduces Punjab Village Tour

Sikh Tourism has introduced a new travel package "Punjab Village Tour" which will take you to Sikh Cultural, Religious, Rural & Heritage life of Punjab Cities of Patiala, Amritsar, Anandpur and Chandigarh along with darshan of Golden Temple, Anandpur Sahib and Gurudwaras of Delhi.

People have visited the cities of Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Amritsar but may not have seen the actual life of a lively Punjab. For a traveler, Punjab is a wonderful tourist destination and especially if your visit a countryside place or Pind (village)is what you wish to explore on your Punjab Village Tour, spend some in a traditional Punjab village.

During this tour, a traveller will be shown the actual daily life of a villager, given homemade food, could participate in the local works like carpentary, ploughing, cow milking, clay pottery, etc. They could also see the work being done on handicrafts like Phulkari, utensil making, wood work, etc.

For more details, see at http://www.sikhtourism.com/punjab-village-tour.htm

Corridor to Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara could be another Indo-Pak CBM

Indian External Affairs Minister said that the building of a tarred corridor between the Dera Baba Nanak in India and the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan Narowal District, could serve as a possible confidence building measure between the two countries. Indian Minsiter was visiting Dera Baba Nanak at the invitation of Punjab Chief Minister to assess the feasibility of the corridor to facilitate pilgrims.

Indian Minister said it was necessarily to create a good relationship with Pakistan, as "We have already opened two routes with Pakistan and are ready to open more routes so that more people come and know each other, and remove existing misunderstandings."

The minister announced that the Indian Government would send a group of experts to conduct a feasibility study for the construction of the much in demand corridor from Dera Baba Nanak to Kartarpur Sahib. He said the team would submit a report to the government, following which the matter would be discussed with Pakistan. If Islamabad agreed to proposed project, it would be immediately implemented, he added. Mukherjee visit to the border was welcomed by various Sikh organizations.

Once the corridor was in place, Sikh devotees could enjoy a hassle-free sikh pilgrimage, instead of taking the circuitous journey via Wagah, Lahore and Narowal. The region would also experience heightened economic and sikh tourism activity as a result. Sikh pilgrims have been demanding a safe passage to the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib from Dera Baba Nanak for years.

Sultanpur Lodhi in Punjab on the world religious tourism map

Sultanpur Lodhi will be the first place in Punjab to be on the world religious tourism map because of its sanctity and heritage value. This was disclosed by Chief Minister of Panjab. The CM also paid obeisance at Ber Sahib gurdwara on the occasion of the prakash purb of Guru Nanak Dev.

Representatives of the World Tourism Organisation had visited Punjab to identify places that have religious importance and Sultanpur Lodhi had been identified as a befitting place to be on the map. No place could hold more importance since this is where the Guru attained enlightenment, he pointed out.

At present, the Tourism Department is implementing a Rs 3.61-crore project to promote tourism in the Kapurthala - Sultanpur Lodhi tourist circuit and the ecological restoration of the Pavitar Bein project has been expedited. Keeping in view the religious value of this holy town, the government had initiated a series of steps to develop the city under the guidance of the newly constituted Sultanpur Lodhi Development Board. The infrastructure, health facilities and transport connectivity of this historic town would also be upgraded which would further boost sikh religious tourism.

Delhi Gurudwaras build ramps, wheel in faithful

Delhi ramps are with a difference. They will not see style statements being made on them but will see the differently abled devout go right up to the threshold of the Granth Sahib. Stairs at places of worship are a problem for the elderly and the differently abled. Keeping this in mind, the Delhi Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (DSGPC) has begun a drive to make Delhi Gurudwaras easily accessible to all.

While the government is still planning to make offices and public places differently abled-friendly, the DSGPC has completed renovations on a second Gurudwara in the city. After Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Nanak Piao in Azadpur has completed the construction of access ramps. Alongside the staircase, these green-carpeted ramps will help the wheelchair-bound and those who can’t climb steps.

With constant complaints coming in from devotees at Bangla Sahib, the authorities finally decided to take concrete steps. “A place of worship is for everyone and it is our responsibility to ensure that no one is denied the opportunity to visit the gurudwara. We did notice that a large number of the elderly and the differently-abled had to stop coming just because they couldn’t climb stairs. Besides constructing ramps, we have also made provisions for wheelchairs,” a Sewadar said.

Ever since the ramps were put in place, a number of devotees have been coming in wheelchairs. They are comfortably wheeled up by their family members.

Amritsar Gets Tourism Police

Amritsar seeks to safeguard the interests of tourists who fall victim to crooks and cons. AMRITSAR – One of the most popular tourist cities in Punjab his hoping a 30-person special police squad will help protect its 100,000 daily visitors. Tourists have often fallen victims to cheats and touts and ended up losing their belongings and valuables, said Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal as he announced the formation of the Amritsar Tourism Police by the city’s district police department.

The tourism police will be stationed around-the-clock at Darbar Sahib, the airport, the railway station, bus stands and the Attari border.

"Special training has been imparted to these officers in tourism management,” said Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, Amritsar’s senior superintendent of police, who will personally supervise the 30-member squad led by Inspector Ramnish Kumar.

“The main objective of the Amritsar Tourism Police will be to prevent harassment of tourists by touts, help in getting transport and lodging at appropriate rates and help avoid hassles at the railway station, airport, bus terminals and other important tourist locations."

At a joint news conference Thursday, the Punjab chief minister lauded the effort of the local police in protecting the city’s burgeoning tourist population.

"Amritsar is emerging as a sikh tourism hub, one of the most visited places in the world with about one lakh (100,000) visitors who come here every day,” Parkash Singh said. “They include a large number of devotees from other sates in India as well as from the foreign countries.”

It is not known whether tourists in need will be able to recognize a tourism-police officer from a regular officer.

See Punjab and Gurudwaras through www.sikhtourism.com

Even though officially there is a Tourism department under Punjab Government but there is nobody to answer your enquiry about any place, gurudwara or tour. In this regard, there is a private travel website www.sikhtourism.com launched by one web professional Parvinder Singh. Sikhtourism website offers all the tours on Sikh Pilgrimage, Gurudwara Yatra and Punjab Tours. Even though, Parvinder Singh is also wokring for money, still he offers all the information, tour details, train & flight timings and other required details without expecting the business.For more information on this website, see at www.sikhtourism.com

Hi-tech Sikh museum set to come up at Nanded.

Perhaps it is time for Sikh museums to spring up in many places, and the development is in keeping with the fervour of religiosity inspired largely by the Diaspora efforts and the celebrations of the Guru'ta Gaddi Diwas. Now it seems a state-of-the-art Sikh museum is set to come up at Nanded at a cost of Rs 20 crore as part of tercentenary celebrations of Gurta Gaddi Diwas.

The development has been confirmed by Nanded's Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Gurdwara Board chairman Dr P.S. Pasricha who said latest technologies will be used in the new museum.

"Visitors will be imparted information about Sikh religion in either of four languages - Punjabi, English, Hindi and Marathi. The touch screen systems, latest gadgets, and many attractions will punctuate the over 30,000 square feet area. The museum will employ graphics and animation strategies and technology shall be put to use to pass on the message of Sikh gurus to youth, particularly those residing abroad, to save them from ever-increasing western culture influence," Pasricha, the former Maharashtra police chief, said.

The first phase of this museum-cum-art gallery would be made operational in 13,000 square feet area within next two months, while the entire project would be completed by October-end. Pasricha said approximately 11 acres of land surrounding the complex was being developed with landscaping and fountains. Fountain shows are being planned for the night to describe Sikh religion.

Pasricha also said Godavari riverfront is being developed and construction of 100-feet roads on both sides of the river was undertaken by the board. Godavari will form an aquaduct and will provide a feeling of divinity and spirituality to all those who will enjoy the fascinating scenery of the original Godavari. Efforts were on to tap religious tourism with construction of special NRI Yatri Niwas with luxurious rooms and suites of international standards.

Pasricha is also leading efforts to ensure that the new airport at Nanded, likely to operational from May 1, 2008, be named after Guru Gobind Singh.

Polution Threat to Harimandir Sahib

The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) should take immediate steps to control pollution around Golden Temple. SGPC should frame a policy within the next three or four months for initiating steps for controlling pollution caused by the use of fire crackers in the temple complex. Authorities concerned should also take preventive measure to control pollution created by the small scale industries situated around the temple.

Sri Harimandir Sahib, also known as Sri Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple is named after Hari(God) the temple of God. The Sikhs all over the world, daily wish to pay visit to Amritsar and to pay obeisance at Sri Harimandir Sahib in their Ardas.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Punjab Pollution Control Board, which had been monitoring the environment around the Golden Temple, found high levels of harmful nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide in the ambient air. The experts had also cautioned that fireworks release these gases which could react with marble leading to its corrosion and blackening. The miniature paintings and gold plating are also under threat from the harmful gases, the experts added. The recent study was an eye opener that fireworks at the shrine complex could cause such a damaging effect on the Harmandir Sahib.

It was difficult to change the 400-year old tradition but the SGPC authorities should discuss the issue so that the shrine could be saved from being damaged.

Tight security in Pakistan for Indian Sikh jatha

Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) has made unprecedented security arrangements for Sikh devotees visiting Pakistan on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev on November 24. According to sources, the heightened security is in the wake of emergency declared in Pakistan and apprehensions that terrorists from North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan may infiltrate Lahore during the visit of devotees from around the world.

Various security agencies like security branch, crime investigation agency and ISI are expected to monitor movements of the Sikh jatha. "We believe they will permanently station their spies in gurdwaras as long as the Sikh jatha stays in Pakistan," says sources. Those Sikh who have been illegally staying in Pakistan’s gurdwaras will also be watched and may be asked to leave the country, say sources.

Meanwhile, PSGPC will also bring an inter-faith delegation to India to strengthen religious bonds between the two nations. "Pakistan government has made unprecedented security arrangements for the arrival of some 20,000 Sikhs from around the world, including 3,000 from NWFP and 7,000 from Sindh," informs Bishan Singh, president PSGPC on the phone from Lahore on Saturday.

Informing that he will lead the inter-faith delegation to India in December to promote peace, Singh adds, "The delegation will include religious representatives of Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims and Christians from Pakistan and they will hold meetings with leaders of different faiths in India."

Stating that adequate security arrangements were in place, Sadiq Khurram, the newly-appointed organizing secretary of Pakistan Evacuee Trust Property Board, a parent body of PSGPC, adds, "We expect all religious festivities to pass off peacefully."

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Avtar Singh Makkar says that the Sikh jatha, led by former SGPC president Kabal Singh Theenda, will leave for Lahore on a special Sikh pilgrim train from Attari international railway station on November 21. The jatha was earlier scheduled to leave on November 19, but following a change in programme by PSGPC, it was postponed by two days.

Gurudwara Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo

Damdama means the breathing or resting place. Damdama Sahib is one of the Five Takhts of the Sikhs. (The other four Takhts are Akal Takht, Amritsar, Takht Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur, Takht Hazur Sahib, Nanded (Maharashtra) and Takht Harmandir Sahib Patna (Bihar). It is located at village Talwandi Sabo, 28 km southeast of Bathinda. It is also known as Talwandi Sabo and Guru Ki Kashi. Guru Gobind Singh stayed here after fighting battles against Mughal atrocities. Before his arrival at Talwandi, two of the Guru’s sons were bricked alive at Sarhind and two laid down their lives at Chamkaur Sahib. After writing Zafarnama, Guru Gobind Singh fought a successful battle at Muktsar and then moved towards Talwandi Sabo Ki.

For Damdama Sahib Tour details, visit : http://www.sikhtourism.com/damdama-sahib.htm