Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai

Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai is a nine-storey landmark among the places to visit in Amritsar, a short walk from the Golden Temple. We could not verify timings.

Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai, usually called Baba Atal, is a nine-storey octagonal tower about 40 metres high, a short walk from Harmandir Sahib. Wikipedia says it lies south of the Golden Temple, roughly 135 m from the Sarai Guru Ram Das building. It commemorates Atal Rai (1619 to 1628), a son of Guru Hargobind; the nine storeys are said to echo his nine years of life.

According to Sikh tradition, he revived a friend bitten by a snake and then gave up his life on the bank of Kaulsar. The present tower is a double-octagon structure with 110 steps and was built in the late 18th century or in Ranjit Singh's time, depending on the account. The ground floor has four entrances with brass and silver doors, and the Guru Granth Sahib is placed in a central room. Embossed brass plaques show Sikh and Hindu themes.

A ninth-floor golden dome tops the tower. We did not find official timings or fee information, so check on arrival. Cover your head and remove your shoes, as at other gurdwaras.