Punjab government declared three Sikh sites as official holy cities
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The Punjab government recently declared three key Sikh sites as official holy cities: the walled city of Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, and Talwandi Sabo.
These cities house three of the five Sikh Takhts, central to Sikh religious authority.
This status, formalized in December 2025, bans meat, alcohol, tobacco, and intoxicants to preserve spiritual sanctity.​
Amritsar (Akal Takht)
- Amritsar's walled city, surrounding the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), holds the Akal Takht, established in 1606 by Guru Hargobind as the highest Sikh temporal and spiritual authority.
- It attracts millions for its gold-plated sanctum and serves as a core pilgrimage hub.
- Recent restrictions apply specifically to the Galiara area around the Golden Temple.​
Anandpur Sahib (Kesgarh Sahib)
- Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district features Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, where Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa in 1699.
- This site symbolizes Sikh martial and spiritual heritage.
- The holy city designation supports heritage development here.​
Talwandi Sabo (Damdama Sahib)
- Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district hosts Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, where Guru Gobind Singh finalized the Guru Granth Sahib scripture.
- It marks a key point in Sikh textual history.
- The new status enforces prohibitions to maintain its religious environment.​
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