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Gurudwara Baba Atal Sahib was built between the years 1778-1784 and is situated to the south of the Golden Temple, about 185 metres from Sarai Guru Ram Das. The nine-storey octagon tower stands 40 metres high, and is the tallest building in Amritsar. Originally a samadhi which is enshrining the remains of Atal Rai (1628), a son of Guru Hargobind, it was transformed into a gurudwara later on.

According to legend, Atal Rai, at the age of nine, restored his close friend Mohan to life after his sudden demise. Guru Hargobind had rebuked him on displaying one`s spiritual power. Atal Rai chose to take a samadhi for breaking the law. Although he died at the age of nine, he was honoured with the title of Baba. The nine-storeys represents the nine years of his life. The edifice is a double octagonal structure, one rising on the exterior and the other on the interior - forming a circumambulatory in between. The storeys on the exterior and with a bigger octagonal base terminate at the sixth level, the interior and smaller octagonal base supports nine storeys, and the three upper storeys are surmounted by a gilded dome.

Within the interior octagonal elevation the great Guru Granth Sahib is kept, enshrined in a beautifully wrought brass canopy, surmounted by an exquisite chhatri. The doors are made of silver and brass with elegantly embossed designs of figures recounting Sikh and Hindu themes. The interior walls of the first floor are adorned with murals many of which have been obliterated with just only 42 panels surviving. The poor and the needy are fed and helped in the gurudwara of Baba Atal.

The tenth and penultimate guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh ji had been meditating for years in these mountains, finally leaving his earthly form and uniting with the Almighty. The star-shaped Gurudwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib at a very great height of over 4,000 meters, is as such, a memorial to Guru Gobind Singh ji and a reminder of the saint's mission. Sri Hemkunt Sahib is good to visit only in the summer between June and October. The rest of the year, heavy snows make passage impossible, and usually blocks off the trail leading up to the shrine. The high altitude Lokpal lake, known as Hemkund ( 4329 mts.) lies in heavenly environs. A steep trek from Ghangharia leads one to this spot in about four to six hours. It is an important pilgrimage for both Hindus and Sikhs, as well as for people from other faiths. There is a Sikh Gurudwara and a Lakshman temple built on the banks of the lake. Encircled by seven snow clad peaks and their associated glaciers, it reflects its surroundings enchantingly on its crystal clear serene waters. The glaciers from Hathi Parvat and Saptrishi peaks feed the lake and a small stream called Himganga flows out of this lake.

Initially, Baba Atal Rai Tower was built as a Samadhi or cenotaph, to enshrine the remains of Guru Hargobind and his youngest son, Baba Atal Rai. But with the passage of time, it was transformed into a gurdwara. Baba Atal Rai died at very tender age of nine and this nine-storey building stands for these nine years of his life. Despite such a short life span, he is revered as a Baba, because of the extra-ordinary powers he possessed.


Gurudwara Baba Atal Sahib attracts millions of pilgrims who come here from all over the world. Besides, it is growing as one of the most visited tourist spots in Punjab.

On the first floor of the holy tower, there are several miniature works depicting Guru Nanak's life. You can also get an enchanting, unmatched vision of the whole town of Amritsar from the top of the tower. It stands for the glory and artistic richness of the state.

Nearby tourist places to Gurudwara Baba Atal Sahib Chandigarh Jalandhar

• Through Airways: Raja Sansi International Airport in Amritsar provides regular services to major cities like Mumbai and Chennai. Foreign cities can be connected through Mumbai and Chennai.


• Through Railways: Through Railways,Amritsar Railway Station is well linked to other rail heads in the state and also connected to most of the cities in India. It has a connection railway line to Pakistan as well.


• Through Roadways: State run public buses and private buses are available to move in and out from Amritsar. Grand Trunk Road connects Delhi to Amritsar. Luxury buses are available from Delhi.