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Anandpur Sahib
A picturesque Village, a 17th Century Fortress
and an Impressive Gurudwara.
North-west of Delhi, beyond the western edge of
the Yamuna basin, lies the Land of the Yamuna basin, lies the Land
of the Five Rivers, universally known as  the Punjab. Endowed with
rich agricultural soil, plentiful irrigation and equable climatic
conditions, the state is sometimes called the granary of India.
Its villages, large and small, are key to the robust Punjabi attitude
to life that has evolved through cross-cultural influences down
the ages. The regions is also home to the origin of the Sikh faith
whose founder Guru Nanak preached here till his death 460 years
ago in 1539. With neighbouring Haryana, Punjab shares its capital
at Chandigarh where excellent train, road and air services connect
the 250 km distance to Delhi.
From Chandigarh, barely 75 km up the highway towards
Dharamsala and Manali, lies Anandpur Sahib, the impressive gurudwara
that is one of the holiest Sikh Shrines. Its picturesque village,
flanked by a 17th century fortress, is framed between the Shivalik
hills to the east and the Sutlej river farther away in the west.
Nature has been generous here. Much of the year, vast green expanses
will greet the visitor during the journey and also at the destination.
Be they the kharif (summer) crops of maize and paddy or the rabi
(winter) wheat emblazoned with mustard, there is a profusion of
sylvan tranquility all round.
Before the monsoon, the early sunrise will be followed
by groups of men and women setting out to ready their fields for
the kharif sowing. with the rainfall, the landscape transforms to
extensive waterlogged patches where the paddy must stand before
it gets ready for the harvest.
The rabi season is different. Shawl flung across
the shoulder, one's farmer friend will walk one through the bracing
air to where the buffaloes are tethered. Under the canopy of a peepul
tree on the fringe of the repining, golden wheat, there is simply
no gastronomic experience to match a thali of sarson da saag with
makke di roti topped off with a tall glass of fresh lassi.
As one goes towards the interior, some of the elders
will readily draw up a cot to sit and barter information over a
drink of sugarcane juice. Interspersed with gentle Gurmukhi, the
language of the Granth Sahib or holy scripture of the faith, the
conversation will veer round to the quality of the crop, the prices
of agricultural inputs and how modern technology has been double-edged
in its possibilities for multicropping but at escalating cost.
One of the commonest means of transport is the
ubiquitous tractor. As its sputter punctures the calm of the village,
one may join a colourfully dressed group setting off to the market.
And when it is harvest time, virtually the entire village will lend
a hand to cut and thresh the crop and stack it up before it is despatched
for sale to the nearest mandi.
Around this time, the festival of Baisakhi will
witness renewed vigour. One may join in the zesty bhangra as gaily-attired
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 of Sikh valour. 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.
Some of the more important
Gurudwaras are
Takht Kesgarh Sahib - The Khalsa was born here.
Gurudwara Anandgarh Sahib Fort and residence of Guru Gobind Singh
Ji with remarkable paved well.
Gurudwara Damdama Sahib place of coronation of Guru Gobind Singh
Ji.
Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib :A birthplace
of the Khalsa, it was here on March 30th, 1699 Guru Gobind Singh
baptized 5 sikhs with amrit (sweetened water) stirred with his Khanda
and called them his Five Beloved Ones and gave them the last name
'Singh' which means Lion. Guru Gobind Singh then humbly bowed before
the Five Beloved Ones and asked them to initiate Him into the Khalsa
Brotherhood.
Guru Teg Bahadur Museum
Anandpur Sahib, Ropar, depicts the saga of Sikh history. Its paintings
have been done by leading contemporary artist of Punjab.
Location : 75 kms from Chandigarh
Languages : Punjabi, Hindi
Famous for : One of the holiest Sikh Shrines
Getting There
By Air : Nearest Airport at Chandigarh (75km away)
By Rail : Nearest railhead at Nangal
By Road : From Chandigarh
Where to Stay
Free accommodation at the gurudwara or standard hotels at Nangal
and Ropar.
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General Information & Accomdation info
on Anandpur Sahib city of Punjab - India
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