Gurudwara Shri Tarn Taran Sahib is located in the city of Tarn Taran, Punjab. It was originally built by the fifth Guru of Sikhs – Guru Arjan Dev and is now managed by the SGPC (Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee). It is located at about a distance of 22 Km in the south-east direction of the Amritsar city. This Gurudwara was built in 1590s in the Mughal style architecture. It has the distinction of possessing the largest tank among all the Gurudwaras and its water is believed to possess medicinal qualities.
History
Around 1590, the Sikh Guru Arjan Dev Ji, set out on a tour on the areas between river Beas and Ravi. When he reached this place, now known as city of Tarn Taran, bought some land to lay down the foundation of a Gurudwara sahib, the Gurudwara Shri Tarn Taran sahib, in the memory and honour of Guru Ram Das Ji. After buying the land, he started the excavation of a tank (Sarovar) even larger than the one surrounding the Golden Temple. He named this Gurudwara as Gurudwara Shri Tarn Taran sahib and later on city was also named with same name. This Gurudwara has one of the largest sarovars and it resembles Golden temple in many aspects except that it has marble exterior and it is built on the side of tank instead of being built in the centre of it.
It is believed that this sarovar’s water possesses the medicinal qualities and is capable of curing leprosy. Thus, the name Tarn Taran was originally given to this sarovar. The literal meaning of this name is – the boat (Taran) that takes an individual across the ocean of existence.
Architecture
This gurdwara is an elegant, three-storied structure at the south-eastern corner of the sarovar. Approached through a double-storied arched gateway, it stands in the middle of a marble-floored platform. The upper portion of the edifice is covered with glittering gold-plated sheets. The lotus dome, damaged in an earthquake (4 April 1905) and subsequently reconstructed, has an ornamental gold pinnacle with an umbrella-shaped gold finial. Exquisitely executed stucco work in intricate designs, inset with reflecting glass pieces, decorate the interior walls and the ceiling. The Guru Granth Sahib is seated on a platform under an elongated dome covered with gold plated metal sheets. This throne was an offering from Kanvar Nau Nihal Singh. A relay recital of Kirtan goes on from early morning until late in the evening. It is famous for the monthly gathering of pilgrims on the day of Amavas (a no-moon night)
Har Ki Pauri – A flight of marbled steps behind the Darbar Sahib descending into the sacred pool marks the spot where, according to tradition, Guru Arjan made the first cut as the digging started in 1590. Pilgrims go down these steps to take Charanamrit or palmsful of holy water to sip.
The Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib Tarn Taran has the largest sarovar (holy tank) in the world. The Sarovar – is an approximate rectangle in shape. Its northern and southern sides are 289 and 283 metres (948 and 928 ft), respectively, and eastern and western sides 230 and 233 metres (755 and 764 ft), respectively. The sarovar was originally fed by rain water that flowed in from the surrounding lands.
Source:
http://www.discoveredindia.com/punjab/attractions/gurudwaras/tarn-taran.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarn_Taran_Sahib