Context:
• Takht Shri Hari Mandir Sahib / Takht Patna Sahib in Patna, Bihar is one of the Five Takhts (highest temporal authority seats) in Sikhism.
• Guru Gobind Singh Ji (10th Sikh Guru) was born here in 1666.
Key Highlights:
Historical + Religious Significance
• Site of birth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj – spiritual warrior, poet, philosopher, founder of Khalsa (1699)
• Chronicles earliest years of the Khalsa ideological base (martial–spiritual synthesis)
• The complex also preserves relics linked to Gurus
• Recognised as a core centre for Sikh Panth decisions historically
Data / Structural Note
• One of Sikh Panth’s Five Takhts ➝
– Akal Takht (Amritsar)
– Takht Kesgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib)
– Takht Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo)
– Takht Hazur Sahib (Nanded)
– Takht Patna Sahib (Patna)
• Present structure reconstructed post 1934 Bihar earthquake
Stakeholders
• SGPC / Takht Patna Sahib Management Committee
• Pilgrims from global Sikh diaspora
Significance (Cultural Diplomacy)
• Anchor of Sikh Itihaas Tourism Corridor
• Heritage diplomacy for Punjab–Bihar civilizational linkages
Relevant Prelims Points:
• Term Takht = Seat of temporal authority in Sikh religion
• Patna Sahib = Second highest Takht in Panth hierarchy after Akal Takht
• Birth year of Guru Gobind Singh Ji = 1666
• Founder of Khalsa = 1699 (Baisakhi, Anandpur Sahib)
Relevant Mains Points:
• Religious heritage institutions function as soft power assets
• Promotes unity of Granth–Panth philosophy
• Example of Indo–Sikh heritage mapping in cultural federalism
Way Forward:
• Heritage site digitisation + audio-visual repository
• Link Patna Sahib to national Buddhist + Ganga river heritage circuits