1845.] Notes on the Religion of the Sikhs. 395 



Of the 3rd Guroo, (Amardas.) 

 Gondwal Derah ; a well of 101 steps to descend, on each of which the 

 Japjee is repeated. He also died at this town. There are two Grunths 

 at the spot whence he departed. 



Of the 4th Guroo, (Ramdas.) 



Sree Amritsar, (the Nectar tank) ; was brought into notice by him, 

 though the Sikhs deny that it is modern. It was first called by him 

 " Ramdas dee puree." There are five Teeruths. 



1. Amratsarjee ; in the centre of which is the Darbar Sahab's building, 

 containing the Grunth in Guroo Nanak's own hand-writing. It was 

 built by Runjeet Singh, or rather superbly repaired. The steps of 

 this building are looked upon as the Hurdwar ones. The rank Sikhs 

 of the present day therefore do not go to the Ganges Hurdwar, and 

 even speak lightly of that sacred stream as the " bone-devouring." 



2. Koulsar, (the Lotus tank) ; people wash their feet here before pre- 

 suming to bathe in the holy of holies. 



3. Babegsar ; round which the Nahangs reside, and bathe in it before 

 going to the Amratsar. 



4. Mukatsar ; from bathing constantly in faith, in which exemption 

 from further birth in the flesh is obtained. 



5. Ramsar; the tank in which Hindoos and others, not Sikhs, bathe 

 before going into the water of Amratsar. 



On the brink of the tank opposite Darbar Sahab's Darsanee entrance 

 is the Akal Bangah, and two jhandahs or standards, (rather giant spears 

 covered with gold, and having a khinkab cover.) 



The golak (collections \\ rupee from each convert,) of Guroo Govind 

 Singh, is deposited in the Akal Bangah. Chiefs sometimes pay 1^ hun- 

 dred rupees on the Pahul being administered there to a child. 



The Deewalee festival is the season for performing pilgrimage to 

 Amratsar. Pilgrims also assemble in Basakee, Dassera, Horee and 

 Niaghee. These five festivals are called the five Dhams or Tihars. 



Of the 5th Guroo, (Arjan.J 



1. Lahore; his residence for many years. 



2. Derah- Kartarpoor. 



3. Taran and Taran ; two shrines, five or six kos apart ; the latter 

 being the place of his death. 



