Hazur Sahib and Patna Sahib: A Complete Guide to the Sikh Takhts Outside Punjab

The word Takht means throne. In Sikh tradition, the five Takhts are the seats of temporal and spiritual authority, the places from which the Panth issues religious edicts called Hukamnamas that bind Sikhs worldwide. Every Gurudwara is a place of worship, but only a Takht carries this legislative weight. Of the five, three are in Punjab: Akal Takht in Amritsar, Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur, and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo. The other two are separated from Punjab by hundreds of kilometres, one anchored to Guru Gobind Singh's birthplace and one to his death. These are the two that most pilgrims from outside the faith know least about, and the two that reward the most deliberate travel.
Takht Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib, known simply as Hazur Sahib, stands on the southern bank of the Godavari river in Nanded, Maharashtra. Guru Gobind Singh came here in 1708 at the direction of Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah I, who needed his military support in the Deccan. He was assassinated here by a Pathan emissary in October 1708. Before he died, he declared the Guru Granth Sahib the eternal living Guru, making Nanded the site of one of the most consequential moments in Sikh history. The main sanctum, the Angitha Sahib, is built over the exact spot where Guru Gobind Singh was cremated. The complex was commissioned by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the early 19th century and completed by his successors. The gold-plated dome and marble interiors reflect that era's craftsmanship. Inside, pilgrims can view weapons and relics said to belong to Guru Gobind Singh. The Gurudwara operates langar around the clock, the kitchen feeds thousands daily without pause.Getting to Nanded is straightforward from most major Indian cities. By train, Nanded Junction is well-connected: the Hazur Sahib Nanded Express runs from Mumbai CST, and trains from Hyderabad, Secunderabad, and Aurangabad are frequent. The journey from Mumbai takes roughly 12 to 14 hours. From Hyderabad, it is about 5 to 6 hours. Nanded Airport receives limited flights, primarily from Mumbai and Hyderabad, though schedules change seasonally. By road, Nanded is about 270 kilometres from Aurangabad and 190 kilometres from Latur. Accommodation inside the Gurudwara complex is available for pilgrims at no cost, though a donation is customary. Private hotels in Nanded city are plentiful for those who prefer them.
Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib Patna, called Patna Sahib, marks the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, born here on 22 December 1666. The site sits in the dense old quarter of Patna city, in a neighbourhood called Patna City or Chowk area, about 8 kilometres from the main Patna Junction railway station. The Gurudwara was built and expanded over several centuries, with Maharaja Ranjit Singh again commissioning significant construction in the 19th century. The sanctum preserves a remarkable collection of relics: a steel arrow said to belong to Guru Gobind Singh, iron sandals, a gold cradle in which the infant Guru is said to have slept, and a sword. These items are displayed during specific hours and draw pilgrims and historians alike. The architecture here is more intimate than Hazur Sahib, the old city lanes surrounding it are narrow, and the Gurudwara rises unexpectedly from the urban density around it. Patna Sahib also administers a langar that runs through the day.Patna Junction is one of the busiest railway stations in Bihar and is directly connected to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and most major cities. The Rajdhani Express from New Delhi reaches Patna in roughly 10 to 12 hours. From Kolkata, the journey is about 6 to 7 hours. Patna also has a domestic airport, Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport, with regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. From Patna Junction, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws reach the Gurudwara in 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic in the old city lanes. The Gurudwara provides free accommodation for pilgrims in its sarai. Booking in advance is advisable during Gurpurab celebrations, particularly around Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti in December-January, when the site receives pilgrims from across the country and from the Sikh diaspora abroad.
Both Takhts follow the same entry conventions as any Gurudwara. Cover your head before entering, scarves are available at the entrance if you don't carry one. Remove shoes at the designated area. Wash your hands and feet at the foot-washing station before entering the main hall. Photography rules differ: at Hazur Sahib, photography inside the sanctum is restricted; at Patna Sahib, check with the management at the time of your visit, as rules have varied. Both sites are open to visitors of all faiths and backgrounds.The best time to visit Hazur Sahib is during Gurta Gaddi Divas in October-November, which marks the occasion when Guru Gobind Singh declared the Guru Granth Sahib the perpetual Guru, the event that occurred at this very site. The Gurudwara sees especially large gatherings then. For Patna Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti draws the largest crowds and the most elaborate celebrations. If you plan to attend either, book trains and accommodation several weeks in advance. Both cities have a full range of hotels within a few kilometres of the respective Takhts, and both Gurudwaras offer free meals and basic lodging regardless of when you arrive.