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Virasat E Khalsa
Sikhism was sown as a religion before 500 years, grew to a respectable community over a period of years, giving birth to KhalsaPanth before 300 and odd years, the wonderful history of emergence of this great philosophy of living is depicted in Virasat-e-Khalsa , which museum was founded to commemorate this amazing growth of commitment to humanity.
History
Virasat-e-Khalsa was planned to function as the repository of the respectable Khalsa heritage and its history, well woven with the culture of the Punjab inspiring visitors with the noble thoughts of the Gurus, which tend towards universal brotherhood, liberal attitude and down to earth humanism.
Guru Nanak Dev established the cult of Sikhism in the fifteenth century in Punjab region, directing the way of living towards enviable humanist principles, while 200 years later, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the order of Sikhism founded KhalsaPanth at Anandpur Sahib re-inforcing the principles of peace, justice and equality.
To mark and commemorate the completion of 500 years of the order and 300 years of the newly established cult of KhalsaPanth, the mammoth edifice called Virasat-e-Khalsa at Sri Anandpur Sahib was initiated in the year 1999.
This commendable piece of architecture was designed by an internationally famous Israeli architect Moshe Safdie, and carefully constructed over a period of 13 years. Virat –e-Khalsa was thus inaugurated in a grand manner in 2011 and kept open for public since November 27, 2011.
Different Sections of the Museum
Virasat-e-Khalsa is composed of two mammoth complexes, the first one encompassing the entrance area, auditorium and the research wing. The other complex covers expansive memorial building and permanent exhibition of memorable artefacts show cased in two sections of Galleries.
The first gallery receives visitors with divinely message of EkOnkar, while exhibits relating to the first five gurus, Guru Nanak Dev, Guru AngadDev, Guru Amardas, Guru RamdasandGuruArjunDev, give the visitors highly inspiring moments. There are fifteen and above galleries throwing insight into the Sikh religion. The martyr among Sikhs Guru TegBahadur is well illustrated with paintings and visual effects.
Symbolically, a unique tree of Sikhism is on display and the historical features of Golden Temple Sarovar, Akal Takht Sahib, AdiGranth Sahib, and a few other progressive events of Sikhism can be seen by the visitor through these galleries.
The Flower building another embodiment of architecture is another phase of Virasat –e-Khalsa of Anandpur Sahib. In the auditorium visitors are shown documentaries on Sikh religion’s great personalities, particularly the martyrs who gave their life to maintain the self respect of the religion.
As one completes the tour, doves do fly symbolising the broad mind and human approach of Sikhs.
How to Reach
Anandpur Sahib is located 95 km away from Chandigarh, and the road condition is superb for a drive. A number of buses ply as public transport, sustaining the large number of visitors thronging to this place as a Holy place, if not to see a marvel of architecture.
Chandigarh is well connected by Air, rail and Road, Chandigarh Airport having daily flight schedules from almost all the important destinations of the country, and frequent schedules from Delhi. Chandigarh Rail station is connected through fast moving trains, such as Shadapti express, besides large number of express trains and mail trains.
Driving to Chandigarh will equally be a pleasurable activity, a number of cabs ready to take a traveller at decent tariff and excellent comfort. Punjab and Haryana State transport buses run a number of buses from Delhi to Chandigarh.
Timings and Ticket Prices
Virasat-e-Kalsa is open for public on all days of the week except Mondays which are weekly holidays. The visit hours are from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm. There is no entrance fee, but to regulate the large number of visitors to the museum, they issue passes for visitors to follow a pattern of comfortable entry.
Photo Gallery