Amritsar’s gurudwara where devotees offer toy planes to seek blessings for foreign dreams

My hometown Amritsar is home to several historical gurudwaras. But the one with the most unique location is Gurudwara Sant Sar Baba Jawand Singh which is located right between the taxiway and runway of Amritsar international airport, commonly known as Raja Sansi by locals. Despite its unique location, it opens to the public every morning from 5 am till 8 am and till noon every Sunday.

As a local, I love paying obeisance at the gurdwara from time to time. You have to pass through a quick security check before you step on the taxiway to reach it. Of course, it is always guarded by gurudwara volunteers and airport security personnel. If a plane has to take-off or land during those morning hours, the visitors are stopped. Pilots often wave towards them, and excited children riding on the shoulders of their elders wave back gleefully. Many devotees also know about other points in the gurdwara to catch a glimpse of take-off or landing of aircraft. I am one of them as I am an aviation geek!

On Sundays, my visits become quite lively because of the rush of devotees, mostly from rural areas. Many also offer toy planes (sold outside the gurdwara), especially if they have submitted a visa application or are about to submit applications for work and study permits or permanent residency abroad. It is a big shrine with a holy pool (sarovar) and a large community hall for langar. I never return without having delicious tea and pakoras at the langar there.

Rameshinder Singh Sandhu, Amritsar