- Introduction
- Location of Gurudwara Paonta Sahib
- History of Gurudwara Paonta sahib
- How to reach Gurudwara Paonta Sahib?
- Historical Gurudwaras near Gurudwara Paonta Sahib
- What to wear in Gurudwaras?
- Which is the best time to visit Gurudwara Paonta Sahib?
- Contact Details for Gurudwara Sri Paonta Sahib
- What facilities are available at Gurudwara Paonta Sahib?
- Final Words about Gurudwara Paonta Sahib
Introduction
Gurudwara Paonta Sahib has a great historic significance as it was built in memory of the tenth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Sahib Ji.
This Gurdwara is the house of the book Dassam Granth, written by Guru Gobind Singh Ji himself. It also has a museum where the historic weapons and pens used by Guru Gobind Singh Ji are displayed.
This Gurudwara holds very high historic and religious significance among Sikhs.
I frequently visit Paonta Sahib. This time I will share all important things & facts about Gurudwara Paonta Sahib.
To make things navigable & easily understandable, I have designed this article in FAQ format.
Location of Gurudwara Paonta Sahib
Gurudwara Sri Paonta Sahib is situated at the Dehradun border of the District Sirmour in Himachal Pradesh and is built at the bank of the Yamuna river.
History of Gurudwara Paonta sahib
Gurdwara Paonta Sahib is situated at the place where 16-year-old Guru Gobind Singh dismounted his horse to first touch foot in the Kingdom of Sirmour. The Guru had been invited by the ruler of Sirmour to visit his kingdom. The King, as many other stories relate, was very hopeful of establishing a strong relationship with the powerful Sikh Guru.
In these beautiful surroundings, the Guru engaged himself not only in hunting and training his warrior Sikhs in the martial arts, but he also spent a great deal of his time in literary activities, composing many works of religious, as well as heroic poetry including :
- Jap Sahib,
- Sawayyas Patshahi Dasvin &
- Chandi-di-Var.
It was here that the Guru wrote the major portion of the Dassam Granth.
The eldest son of Guru Gobind Singh, Sahibzada Baba Ajit Singh Ji was born at Paunta Sahib.
Guruji Started Kavi Darbar (Poet court) here & filled his Darbar (court) with as many as 52 of India’s most talented poets and writers, many of them came from the ancient city of Banaras.
The first battle of Guruji i.e Battle of Bhangani was fought in this area & Sikhs won this battle.
It is also said that in response to the complaints of poets of Kavi darbar that the Yamuna is causing a lot of noise during Kavi darbar times, with the blessing of Guru Gobind Singh the once roaring Yamuna fell silent as it passed the Gurdwara Sahib.
Before he left to return to the city now known as Anandpur Sahib, he appointed Bhai Bishan Singh to look after the fortress-like complex and the Gurdwara within it.
How to reach Gurudwara Paonta Sahib?
By Road: Gurudwara Paonta Sahib is well connected with the road network and you can reach here either through Chandigarh or Dehradun. The route from Chandigarh via Panchkula, Bilaspur is good & not zig-zag as compared to the other route which is via Kala amb & Nahan. You would be able to see hills and natural beauty on the way to Gurudwara Sahib. It is at a distance of 125 Km from Chandigarh & 50 KM from Dehradun (Capital of Uttrakhand state) & will take approximately 3 hours from Chandigarh to reach here.
By Rail: The nearest Railway to Gurudwara Paonta Sahib is “Dehradun Railway Station” which is approximately 50 KM away from Gurudwara. This journey will take 1 hour 20 minutes to reach here from Railway Station. Option of Taxi/bus is available is Railway Station.
By Air: The nearest Airport is “Jaligrant International Airport” Dehradun which is at a distance of 50 KM from Gurudwara Paonta Sahib. You can hire a taxi/cab/bus to reach here from the airport.
Historical Gurudwaras near Gurudwara Paonta Sahib
There are 5 historical gurudwaras near Gurudwara Paonta Sahib which are:
- Gurudwara Sri Dastar Asthan
- Kavi Darbar Asthan
- Gurudwara Tir Grahi Sahib
- Gurudwara Sher Gah Sahib
- Gurudwara Bhangani Sahib
Gurudwara Sri Dastar Asthan
Gurudwara Sri Dastar Asthan is situated in the premises of Gurudwara Paonta Sahib & can be easily accessed by foot.
Historical Significance: It was this very place where Guru Gobind Sahib was combing his hair before elevating a turban.
Pir Budhu Shah was feeling internal joyous on having holy glimpses of Guru Sahib while sitting near him, when Guru Gobind Singh asked Pir Budhu Shah “Pir Ji, tell me for a boon, we are pleased with you”.
Pir Budhu Shah got up from his place and requested with folded hands, “Sachhe patshah ( O true king emperor) if you are kind enough to me, please give me this comb along with hairs entangled with it and I shall see your image in the comb itself in my hermitage at Sadhora.”
Guru Sahib granted this boon along with Hukamnama (appreciation letter) to Pir Budhu Shah which the successive generations of his sons preserved for centuries.
Kavi Darbar Asthan
Kavi Darbar Asthan is also situated in the premises of Gurudwara Paonta Sahib & can be easily accessed by foot.
Historical Significance: Guru Gobind Singh held a special Kavi (Poet) Darbar on the night of the full moon at Kavi Durbar Ashtan. This Kavi Darbar of Guru Sahib consisted of 52 poets of great repute in different languages.
Guru Sahib bestowed his high regard and affection to the poets. It was here at Paonta Sahib that the tradition of holding Kavi Darbar in Sikhism commenced which is continuously being maintained till date on every night of the full moon.
It is also over here that Guru Sahib addressed the river Yamuna to pass through this place silently without making any noise which is being observed by the river Yamuna for the last more than 300 years.
Gurudwara Tir Garhi Sahib
Gurudwara Tir Garhi Sahib has situated about 20 km from Gurudwara Paonta Sahib.
Historical Significance: This is a very sanctified place where from, while standing on a mount, Guru Sahib himself shot arrows and fierced the forces of the enemy. This place is known as such because of the shooting of the arrows by Guru Sahib himself over here.
Nowadays a beautiful Gurudwara has been got built here. Most of the pilgrims visiting Paonta Sahib feel obliged in having holy glimpses of Gurudwara Tir Grahi Sahib and that of Gurudwara Bhangani Sahib.
Gurudwara Sher Gah Sahib
It is situated in the village Nihal Garh at a distance of about 5 km from Gurudwara Paonta Sahib.
Historical Significance: It revives the memory of the historical event, when Guru Gobind Singh killed a man-eater lion with a sword in one attempt here at this place, in the presence of King of Nahan Medni Parkash and Raja Fateh Chand of Garhwal.
This man-eater lion has brought havoc in this area and even the prominent warriors felt reluctant in facing it.
This is the myth that the man-eater lion was Raja Jaidarth who had killed the brave Abhimanyu treacherously, in the battle of Mahabharat. He was given salvation by Guru Sahib.
Gurudwara Bhangani Sahib
Guruwara Bhangani Sahib is situated about 20 km from Gurudwara Paonta Sahib.
Historical Significance: This is the place, where Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, while staying at Paonta Sahib, fought the first battle against brutality with hilly Kings , clearing his lifetime.
This holy place where Guru Sahib used to stay at night, is situated at a distance of about 1km from Gurudwara Tir Grahi Sahib.
Even to this date, it is known as an attractive spot amidst the natural surroundings, where the Yamuna flows at one side and loft mountains stand on the other.
There is a great difference in its description and sightseeing of this marvellous Gurudwara Sahib. Lakhs of pilgrims come to pay homage to this place.
What to wear in Gurudwaras?
There is no special dress code for visiting gurudwaras. But it is a religious place and devotees have feelings attached to these holy shrines.
So you are advised to wear simple, sober clothes which cover your maximum body (Avoid short skirts in case of females). Moreover, you have to cover your head with any piece of cloth or handkerchief. Without head covering, you will not be allowed inside the main gurudwara premises. If by chance, you do not have any piece of cloth with you, then you can take that from the main shrine entrance point.
One another thing, you have to put off your shoes and socks in the Jora Ghar (Shoe rack room) before entering the temple.
Which is the best time to visit Gurudwara Paonta Sahib?
You can visit Gurudwara Sri Paonta Sahib at any time of the year. However, the weather is pleasant during the winter season (October to April). Hot months of May & June may be avoided.
Moreover, the festival of Holla Mohalla (on the next day of Holi) in the month of March & Gurupurb of Guru Gobind in the month of January is being celebrated by Sikhs every year at a large level. Celebrations of the Hola festival lasts for three days.
Contact Details for Gurudwara Sri Paonta Sahib
Address: Gurudwara Shri Paonta Sahib,
Court Road, Paonta Sahib, Sirmur, Himachal Pradesh -173025
Official Website: https://gurudwarapaontasahib.org/
Contact Number: +919805630051
Email ID: info@gurudwarapaontasahib.org
What facilities are available at Gurudwara Paonta Sahib?
Gurudwara Sri Paonta Sahib remains always flocked with visitors and to accommodate big rush, the complex of the gurdwara is huge and it offers a number of facilities:
Places to stay (Sarai): Although you can book hotels near the gurudwara for any category (2-star to 5-star) but gurudwara offers the facility of Sarai (Place to stay) at a very nominal cost. You can book your stay through the online official website of Gurudwara Sahib.
Guru Ka Langar (Free Public Kitchen): Free food is offered 24 hours a day here and you can eat here. The food is prepared in hygienic conditions and special care is being given to the cleanliness of the premises where food is distributed.
Final Words about Gurudwara Paonta Sahib
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog about the Gurudwara Sri Paonta Sahib. If you have any other questions or concerns about visiting Gurudwara Sri Paonta Sahib, Mohali, please comment in the comment box. I will be glad to answer your queries.
Thank you for reading, I am always excited when one of my posts is able to provide useful information on a topic like this!
