Different places to travel » Sikhism

Paonta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh, India

Traveller — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:43:18 +0000

State: Himachal Pradesh
Distance by road: It is around 305kms away from Delhi.
Nearest Railway Station: It is at Dehra Dun, at a distance of around 49kms.
Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant at Dehra Dun
Best Season: September-April
Elevation: 389 meters

Paonta Sahib is a place sacred to the Sikh community, and is also making its name as a growing industrial region. The religious background as to why Paonta Sahib is a significant place is: In the year 1685, Guru Govind Singh (the 10th and last human guru for Sikhism), son of Guru Tegh Bahadur (9th guru), was on the way to Anandpur Sahib for setting up the Khalsa. He took a halt at Paonta Sahib, lived there for four years and wrote Dasam Granth there.
The original name of the city was paontika – In Hindi ‘paon’ means feet and ‘tika’ means stable. So the genesis of the name of Paonta Sahin is that the horse of Guru Ji stopped there on the way to Anandpur so he decided to rest at Paonta Sahib. Guru Govind Singh set his foot at this place that is why this place was named as Paonta Sahib. It is here, where he penned the `Dasam Granth’.

Location of Paonta Sahib on Mapmyindia.com

Just a short distance away from the gurudwara, there is the beautiful sight of the river Yamuna flowing, with all the sounds that a gurgling river makes. But just short of its walls the water suddenly falls silent, not making any more sound. The story goes that it happened only at the Guru’s behest, with the Guru requesting the river to flow silently since the noise was distrubing the Guru’s meditations, and another says that the Guru found it hampered his communication with the sufi saint Bhure Shah who lived high above the opposite bank.
Climate during the summers is pleasant while winters are bit colder than plains. This religious cum tourist destination is favorable among tourists round the year because of its moderate climate.
The Gurudwara houses some interesting spots that traces the events in the life of Guru Gobind Singh. There is Shri Talab Asthan where he disbursed salaries, and the Shri Dastar Asthan where he judged the turban – tying competitions. The Kavi Durbar was the venue of the poetic symposia. A memorial dedicated to Kalpi Rishi, and a museum showcasing the pens of the Guru and the weapons of those times, are also located within the precincts of the Gurudwara

Attractions:

Sri Talab Asthan: Sri Talab Asthan located inside Paonta Sahib is the place where the Guru distributed salaries to his followers for their hard work.

Sri Dastar Asthan: There is another place of interest inside Paonta Sahib known as Sri Dastar Asthan, where the Sikh Guru used to witness the turban tying competition by his followers.

Kalpi Rishi: Kalpi Rishi is another significant locale; this is a museum that displays various weapons used by the Sikh Guru and his followers.

Sirmour: Here are the remains of the old capital of the princely state of Sirmour. The town is said to have been destroyed by flood in the 11th century, when it was cursed by a dancing girl, who was promised the kindgom by the king if she completed a hard task, and who the king killed while she was doing the task.

Bhangani is fourteen kilometers out of Paonta Sahib. Settling on high ground, the Guru fought his first battle at Bhangani. Guru Gobind Singh defeated a phalanx of twenty thousand professional soldiers that had expected scant opposition from the Guru’s rag-tag force of five hundred men. The Guru’s eldest son was also born during the twelve-day period of the battle.

Simbalwara Wildlife Sanctuary: 12 km off the main Paonta Sahib – Nahan road, this is known for a variety of bird life.

Fossil Park, Saketi: This was the site of the largest fossil find in the Siwalik hills. The park has a museum and life-size models of the animals that once roamed these tracts.

Katasan Devi Temple: Also known as Uttam Wala Bara Ban, this is on the Paonta Sahib – Nahan road. The shrine is revered by local people. At this spot, the forces of Sirmour defeated the marauding armies of Ghulam Qadir Khan Rohiolla.

Ram Temple: Within Paonta Sahib and also known as the ‘Mandir Shri Dei Ji Sahiba’, this is located near the Yamuna bridge. With exquisite marble work, this was built in 1889 in memory of Raja Pratap Chand of Kangra by his wife who originally belonged to Sirmour. The Kirpal Dass Gurudwara is just past the temple

Shiva Temple, Patlian: Surrounded by fields and sal trees, the linga in this temple is supposed to be steadily increasing in size.

Shrine of Baba Garib Nath: Located in a sal forest and with an excellent view of the area, the shrine is revered by childless women.

Khodri Dak Pathar : It is a beautiful picnic spot just 25 km. from Paonta. There is a beautiful park, a swimming pool and a tourist Bungalow. At this place the torrential river Yamuna has been tamed into an artificial lake by constructing a barrage. From here one can get a fantastic view of the lake and the park nearby.

Assan Lake : 4 km. from Paonta Sahib. This beautiful lake has all facilities like speed boats, rowing, paddle and sailing boats. In addition, one can enjoy water skiing and hovercraft rides. A fast food restaurant is also available.

Places to stay:

HPTDC: Hotel Yamuna, Paonta Sahib (HP) 173025. Tel: 01704-222341, 224161. (check availability)
Hotel Citizen
Hotel City View
Hotel Clock Tower
Ganga Lodge

How to reach

By Air: The nearest airport is Jubbarhatti in Himachal Pradesh about 145km from Paonta Sahib.

By Rail: The nearest rail head is Yamunanagar about 56kms from Paonta Sahib.

By Road: The Himachal Road Transport Corporation runs bus connecting Paonta Sahib to almost all places in Himachal Pradesh.

External articles:

1. Brief history (link to article):

In October 1686 the hill chieftains collected a force of 30,000 men and under the leadership of Raja Bhim Chand and Fateh Shah they rode towards Paonta Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s army consisted of around 4,000 Sikhs only besides a number of Udasis and Pathans.

2. Explore Himalayas (link to article):

That night we left Delhi and after 8 hours of journey we reached Paonta Sahib a small town, which was founded by the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh. This town was situated on the banks of Yamuna River in Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh. The adventure and trekking organization ‘Explore Himalayas’ is situated here.

3. History of Guru Gobind Singh (link to article):

At the request of Medani Prakash, Guru Gobind Singh laid the foundation of Paonta Sahib in Nahan and built a beautiful city and a castle there. In Paonta Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh compiled the Jap Sahib, Savaiye and Vanis of Akal Ustat.

4. Photo of Guru Gobind Singh’s weapons at Paonta Sahib (link to photo)
5. Tour to Delhi – Hemkund – Paonta Sahib (link to article)

Surrounded by the Sal forest and on the bank of river Yamuna the historic town of Paonta Sahib was founded by the tenth Sikh Guru Govind Singh Ji. When only sixteen years old, the guru left Anandpur Sahib and on the invitation of Raja Maidini Prakash of Sirmour, lived at this beautiful place for over four years. The historic gurudwara commemorates his stay and interestingly the waters of the Yamuna fall silently below this -which happened at the Guru’s behest. The word ‘Paonta’ means ‘Space for a foot hold’.

6. Legacy of a warrior (link to article)

Today Paonta Sahib’s large gurudwara gleams like an edifice carved out of snow and as the sun sets the white marble is offset by touches of pink and gold. Here the Guru wrote the Dasam Granth and with in the precincts are a number of significant spots associated with his sojourn.

7. Sikh pilgrimage tour covering Delhi- Hemkund Sahib – Paonta Sahib – Anantpur Sahib – Amritsar (link here)
8. Photos of Paonta Sahib (click here)
9. Photo of entrance to Paonta Sahib gurdwara (click here)
10. Road directions to Paonta Sahib from Delhi on oktatabyebye.com (click here)
11. Beautiful photos of Gurudwara at Paonta Sahib (click here)

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in New Delhi – next to Connaught Place

Traveller — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:15:31 +0000

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is probably the most visited Gurdwara in Delhi. Located centrally in Delhi, it is located on the Baba Kharag Sahib Marg that has Connaught Place at one end, and Gol Dakhana (round post office) at the other end. The back side of the Gurdwara (and the associated school) opens up to Ashoka Road. The Gurdwara was originally the Bungalow of one of the important Rajput ruler Mirza Raja Jai Singh. Jai Singh was a devotee of Guru Harkrishan, and played a role in ensuring that politics being played out in the emperor’s court did not cause Aurangzeb to treat the Sikh Guru badly. Guru Harkrishan had been nominated as a successor by the seventh Guru Sri Har Rai, and was summoned to Delhi by Emperor Aurangzeb in a furtive attempt by his older brother Baba Ram Rai to grab the Gurugadi. Earlier Baba Ram Rai had disgraced himself by giving a false translation of Bani to appease the Emperor. For this he had been disowned by his father and rewarded by Aurangzeb.
The place where the current Gurudwara is located was earlier a palatial home, and it was here that Guru Sri Harkishan had stayed here for a few months as a guest of Raja Jai Singh. It was during this time that there was a terrible epidemic of cholera and smallpox and the Guru spent a lot of time caring for people and distributing help. He was eventually struck by the disease as well, and died in Delhi in 1664. He used to distribute water from a well built in the house, and this water is said to have holy and medical properties. The water is now revered as having healing properties and is taken by Sikhs throughout the world back to their homes.
The grounds include the temple, a kitchen, a large pond, a school and an art gallery. As with all Sikh Gurdwaras, the concept of langar is practiced, and all people, regardless of race or religion may eat in the Gurdwara kitchen (langer hall).

Gurdwara Rakab Ganj in New Delhi’s Pant Road

Traveller — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:14:00 +0000

In the heart of New Delhi, on Pant Road, facing Parliament and North Block, there is a beautiful white marble Gurudwara, with entrances on all 4 sides (symbolizing the fact that the Gurudwara and the religion does not support any kind of separation of humanity based on caste or creed). It has a beautiful garden surrounding it. This is the Rakab Ganj Gurdwara, built in 1732 by a devotee (Lakhi Banjara) of the 9th Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur.
It was the year 1675, and the Guru Tegh Bahadur was in rebellion against the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb was a zealot who wanted to convert people to Islam, and Guru Tegh Bahadur was approached by Kashmiri Pandits for their defence. The Guru proceeded to reach Delhi so as to try to negotiate with Aurangzeb (although he knew that his death could happen). He was arrested and then eventually beheaded.
It is rumored that after he was beheaded, there was a massive dust storm and in that storm, his body was rescued by his disciple and taken to the disciple’s home where to hide any special attempts to cremate the body, the disciple Lakhi Shah Vanjara kept the body in his own home and burnt down the home in order to do the last rites (the head was taken away separately to Anandpur Sahib where it was cremated).
It was this very spot where the body was cremated that is the site of the present Rakab Ganj Gurudwara.

Gurudwara Sis Ganj – located in the heart of Chandni Chowk

Traveller — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:12:16 +0000

Getting into Chandni Chowk means taking the road from Red Fort and leading directly perpendicular to it. You see a straight road with a divider, and unless you are in the middle of the night or early morning, the road will be crowded with all sorts of traffic. There are numerous shops, and side roads that lead to narrow bustling shopping lanes. As you move ahead, you will see a beautiful Gurudwara to the left side, and this is called Gurdwara Sis Ganj. It is a pivotal part of life in Chandni Chowk, and you can see a huge number of devotees moving in and out of the Gurudwara. Not too many of these people though know the history of the Gurudwara, or the significance.
The life of the Sikh Gurus was built on the concept of sacrifice and not protecting their lives if their was something fundamental at stake. Thus it was during the time of the great (but cruel) Mughal emperor Aurangzeb who was more of a zealot than many of his previous Mughal emperors. This was also a time when there was a clash between the Mughals and the Sikh Gurus, and when the Mughal Emperor was forcibly converting Hindus to Islam. It was then that the Guru told a group of Pandits who approached him to tell the emperor that Aurangzeb should first convince the Guru to convert to Islam, and then only go to the Pandits.
The Guru refused and was imprisoned by the Emperor’s men. He was finally beheaded on November 11th, 1675. His body was cremated secretly by one of his followers so that it would not be on display. Similarly, the separated head was taken to Chakk Nanaki in Anandpur Sahib. After around a century when the Mughal influence had waned and Sikhs had become more forceful, one of his followers Sardar Bhagel Singh, built the Gurudwara. The Gurudwara is made of white marble, has several domes with spires for flags and a water body for religious purposes. It took around Rs. 10 lakh and manpower of 4000 people over various stages to complete the Gurudwara.
The main structure of the Gurudwara is a large open hall. This is very spacious and has a bronze canopy in the middle under which, the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs is kept. The Guru Granth Sahib is covered with a large red tunic cloth and garlands. At night, the book is ceremonially carried to a special room in the gurudwara. Here it is kept in a transparent and well-lit glass chamber for the visitors. The book is kept there in a special-resting closet. It is surrounded by the pieces of tree trunk of the same banyan tree under which the Guru was martyred. There is also an enclosed structure where the guru was held prisoner before being executed. The people who go to the Sis Ganj Gurdwara also visit the well in which the Guru used to take his daily bath when he was in prison.
Guru Tegh Bahadur was the youngest of the five sons of Guru Har Gobind. He was born in Amritsar in the early hours of 1st April 1621. The name Tegh Bahadur (mighty of the sword), was given to him by Guru Har Gobind after he had shown his valour in a battle with the Mughals.

Some photos of the Gurudwara can be seen at this link.