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- But nestled in perhaps the most unusual of locations lies Gurudwara Sant Sar Baba Jawand Singh, a shrine that stands directly between the taxiway and runway of Amritsar International Airport, more fondly called Raja Sansi by locals.
- These miniature planes carry the hopes of families applying for visas, work permits, study opportunities, or permanent residency abroad—turning the gurudwara into not just a place of worship, but also a space where aspirations take flight.
- Its sacred calm exists in contrast to the hum of aviation activity around it—a juxtaposition that makes it one of the most remarkable shrines in Punjab.
Amritsar, the holy city known for its shimmering Golden Temple, is home to countless gurudwaras steeped in history and devotion. But nestled in perhaps the most unusual of locations lies Gurudwara Sant Sar Baba Jawand Singh, a shrine that stands directly between the taxiway and runway of Amritsar International Airport, more fondly called Raja Sansi by locals.
Despite its proximity to roaring jet engines and soaring aircraft, the gurudwara quietly opens its doors to devotees every morning from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., and on Sundays until noon. Its sacred calm exists in contrast to the hum of aviation activity around it—a juxtaposition that makes it one of the most remarkable shrines in Punjab.
A Journey Through Security and Sky
To reach the gurudwara, visitors must pass through a swift security check before stepping onto the airport’s taxiway. Guarded by a combination of gurudwara volunteers and airport security personnel, the path to prayer winds directly alongside the rhythms of air travel.
During take-offs or landings in those early hours, devotees are briefly halted. Often, pilots wave in acknowledgment of the gathering below, and children—perched on the shoulders of their elders—respond with delighted waves. For aviation enthusiasts among the faithful, the shrine offers vantage points to witness flights thundering skyward or gracefully descending, blending spiritual pilgrimage with the thrill of air travel.
Sundays of Faith and Aspiration
Sundays transform the gurudwara into a hub of lively devotion. Rural families arrive in larger numbers, filling the grounds with a palpable energy. Many bring along toy airplanes, bought from stalls outside the shrine, as symbolic offerings. These miniature planes carry the hopes of families applying for visas, work permits, study opportunities, or permanent residency abroad—turning the gurudwara into not just a place of worship, but also a space where aspirations take flight.
The shrine itself is expansive, complete with a serene sarovar (holy pool) and a spacious langar hall. After prayers, visitors gather for the communal meal. For many, the highlight is a steaming cup of tea and crisp pakoras—simple, hearty offerings that leave no devotee departing on an empty stomach.
Where Spirituality Meets Aviation
What makes Gurudwara Sant Sar Baba Jawand Singh extraordinary is not only its location but the harmony it embodies between faith and modernity. As jetliners glide past its walls, the shrine remains a testament to resilience, devotion, and the ability of tradition to coexist with progress.
In Amritsar, where history and spirituality flow through every street, this gurudwara stands apart as a place where faith quite literally takes wing.
