| Anandpur Sahib |
| Anandpur Sahib is one of the five most important pilgrimages for Sikhs. The town was founded in 1665 by the 9th Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur near the ruins of an ancient place called Makhowal. Anandpur Sahib lies 75 km towards Dharamsala from Chandigarh. Apart from the famous gurudwara, this historical site also boasts of an imposing 17th century fortress. It is located on the lower spurs of the Himalayas surrounded by picturesque natural scenery, with the river Satluj forming a shimmering and shiny blue border on the south west barely four miles away. On the day of Baisakhi on 13th April, 1699, the tenth Guru of sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji formed Khalsa by christening five Sikhs and called them "Panj Piaras". The region is also home to the origin of the Sikh faith whose founder Guru Nanak preached here till his death in 1539. |
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| The impressive gurudwaras one of the holiest Sikh shrines, Anandpur Sahib is located in picturesque location between the Shivalik hills to the east and the Sutlej River in the west. Vast green is spread around to greet the visitor during the journey, through out the year. |
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| Gurudwara Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Gurudwara Sisganj Sahib, Gurudwara Bhora Sahib, is the residence of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur, the 9th guru, which was inherited by Sri Guru Gobind Singh. Gurudwara Thara Sahib, Gurudwara Akal Bunga Sahib, Gurudwara Damdama Sahib and Gurudwara Manji Sahib are the major landmarks in the city of Sikhism pilgrimage. |
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| Around this time, the festival of Baisakhi will witness renewed vigour. Baisakhi in 1999, at Anandpur Sahib marked the completion of 300 years of the birth of the Khalsa. It was on Baisakhi day in 1699 that Sri Guru Gobind Singh baptised the Panj Pyaras at the place where Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib stands. One may join in the zesty bhangra as gailyattired men and women charge the air to a resounding drumbeat. Or on the day after Holi, join in the celebration of Hola Mohalla for a re-enactment of the old battles that bore testimony to Sikh valour. |
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| Anandpur Sahib comes to life every year on the occasion of Hola Mohalla. Holla Mohalla is an annual festival celebrated in Punjab in the month of March. This Sikh festival is magnificently celebrated at Anandpur Sahib. It stretches on for three days. Thousands of devotees from various parts of the country throng to Anandpur Sahib to participate in the fair which lasts for three days. The Gurudwaras are specially decorated for the occasion. Holla Mohalla is also a community event uniting people in an atmosphere of caring and sharing. The festival also reminds of the gallantry of Sikhs who struggled with the enemies of the land. The festival begins with early morning prayers at the gurudwaras. People sing kirtans and perform kar seva. Other cultural activities are ceremoniously performed in the evening. In the distance, the Sutlej flows on, having descended to the plains near Anandpur Sahib through its timeless journey from Rakshas Tal at the foot of Mount Kailash in Tibet. |
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| To reach the holy place |
| With neighboring Haryana, Punjab shares its capital at Chandigarh where excellent train, road and air services. |
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Rail:
Anandpur Sahib as the railway station in the town.
Road:
There are number of buses plying at regular intervals from Delhi and Chandigarh to Anandpur Sahib. All buses going to Una in Himachal Pradesh pass through Anandpur Sahib.
Air:
Nearest airport is Chandigarh at a distance of 85 kms. |
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| Five Forts |
| Five forts on the border of the city were built by 10th Sikh Guru Guru Gobind Singh Ji to protect from the external invasions. Kila Anandgarh Sahib is the main Fort, after which the city was also named Anandpur Sahib and the Army used to reside here. Kila Holgarh Sahib, Kila Lohgarh Sahib where the weapons for the Army were made, Kila Fatehgarh Sahib and Kila Taragarh Sahib are the other four forts at city border. |
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| Guru-Ka-Lahore |
| Guru-Ka-Lahore is situated about 11 km on Sri Anandpur Sahib-Ganguwal route leading to the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. The 10th Guru's wedding to Mata on 25 January 1686 was celebrated here. Two trickling springs, claimed to be dug out from the stony mountain-side by the 10th Guru, still exist today. |
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