Virasat-E-Khalsa

Virasat-E-Khalsa is a museum located in Anandpur Sahib very close to the Keshgarh Sahib Gurudwara. The museum showcases the journey of Sikhism and the Khalsa panth. It was made to commemorate 500 years of Sikhism and 300th anniversary of Khalsa. Earlier it was called the Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex.

Virasat-E-Khalsa

The construction started in 1999 and was finished in 2011. Main architect of the building is Moshe Safdie and the museum has been designed by the National Institute of Design, Ahmadabad. The architecture of the museum is impressive from the outside and is pleasing to the eyes. Three sides of the building is surrounded by an artificial water body reflecting the beautiful building. One can take refreshments also at the cafeteria which is in the western part of the complex. The western part also houses the library and an auditorium. It is connected with the main building by a bridge that merges well with the overall architecture of the place.

Cylindrical Shafts- Virasat-E-Khalsa

There has been some thought given for persons with disabilities as there is a lift to go up and also there are wheelchairs available inside if one needs free of charge. However, the wheelchairs need to be provided right at the car parking area itself.

The Western Complex and the Bridge of Virasat-E-Khalsa

Though I was impressed by the exterior and inside also the building was air-conditioned I was disappointed by the museum itself as instead of finding a real museum what I found inside was themes painted about the life of Punjab and Punjabis with lighting effect with the background of loud music. Though some tourists liked it I found it to be too kitsch. There is a audio commentary available in Punjabi, Hindi and English but when I asked for a headset with English commentary I could not get one. Only when we protested they produced two headsets with English commentary.

Flower Petals- Virasat-E-Khalsa

But whatever disappointment inside was forgotten by the overall experience of the place which is worth a visit at least once.

The museum is open from 8 AM to 8 PM on six days - it is closed on Mondays. Also it remains closed on the three national holidays plus Dusshera and Diwali. Photography inside the museum part of the building is not allowed.

Also read - Keshgarh Sahib

Keshgarh Sahib

Gurudwara Keshgarh Sahib is the birthplace of the Khalsa. The Khalsa was formed by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th and the last Sikh Guru in 1699.

Keshgarh Sahib Gurudwara

Due to this fact the Gurudwara here is considered second most important pilgrimage place by the Sikhs after the Golden Temple at Amritsar. The Takht Sahib (Temporal seat) is located in the city of Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar (earlier called Ropar) district of Punjab. The town is located at the foothills of Himalayas and the river Sutlej flows nearby.

Another view of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib

The town itself is very small and nothing much to boast of except for the Gurudwara and one memorial complex -  Virasat-E-Khalsa. At both ends of the town are the two memorial entry gates to Anandpur Sahib. The Gurudwara in itself is very neat and clean and shimmers in sunlight as it is made of white marble. The prayers are telecast live also on some TV channels.

Prayers and Songs by the Ragis

Gurudwara's normally have gumbad or domes on top. The domes probably improves acoustics of the place and makes them unique from other nearby buildings. Of course the architecture has originally come from the Muslim/Mughal architecture of the middle east.

Courtyard

This Gurudwara has a mixture of dome and palki or palanquin like roof (also seen in Rajasthan's old haveli's). There is Langar where food is served to all. Recently they have shifted the Langar Hall further down as I remember during my earlier visit it was much closer to the main Gurudwara itself.

Several miniature minarets

I also noticed lack of any facilities for the handicapped  This is true to all religious complexes in India. When the Gurudwara's get so much money in donations then why not invest a fraction of that amount in providing lifts and ramps to the needy? Specifically at this place the need is all the more as the Gurudwara is located at a height and is some distance from the car parking area.

View from the Gurudwara with hills as backdrop

To manage the crowds there are Sevadaar's around the complex.

A Sevadaar

Anandpur Sahib is located 330 kms from Delhi and takes about six hours via Chandigarh and Ropar though this time I had gone there from Hoshiarpur. I took the Hoshiarpur - Una (in Himachal) - Anadpur Sahib route as it is less crowded and more scenic. The distance on this route is 95 kms and takes couple of hours by car.

Memorial  Entry Gate to Anandpur Sahib