Location : 81-km via Nahan, Sirmour District
Altitude : 3,98m
Houses : Gurudwara Paonta Sahib and Paonta
Fort
Famous As A: Sikh Pilgrimage
Paonta Sahib, a city sacred
to the memory of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, is also a
bustling township with growing industries. It retains tangibly memorials to
the martial Guru in the form of his weapons and a majestic Gurudwara and
recalls his presence even in the name of the city which is derived from "paon"
meaning "foot" either because he set foot in this place or according to an
alternative story, because he lost an ornament which he wore on his foot
called a "paonta" while bathing in the river Yamuna which flows here.
Overlooking the river is the Gurudwara where Guru Gobind Singh held court
and wrote the major portion of the "Dassam Granth". The Guru also built the
Paonta Fort in over hundred acres of land, which housed not only his
followers, but as many as 46 famous poets. Regular poetry reading sessions
and symposiums were organized to encourage the sort form. The guru left
Paonta Sahib after the battle of Bhangani with Raja Fateh Shah, in which he
defeated the errant ruler’s army after thirty days of battle.
Paonta Sahib is distinguished by its association with the Sikhs and attracts
them by the thousands at the spring festivals of ‘Baisakhi’ and ‘Holi’.
There are also two Hindu temples, one dedicated to Lord Rama called Devi Ka
Mandir and built by a princess, and the other is sacred to Lord Krishna.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS:
Gurudwara Paonta Sahib (200m): This site was Guru Gobind Singh’s home
for over four years and it was here that he wrote the ‘Dasam Granth’. Within
its precincts are the ‘Sri Talab Asthan’, where he disbursed salaries and
the ‘Sri Dastar Asthan’, where he judged the turban-tying competitions. At
the Kavi Darbar Asthan, poetic symposia were held. There is also a memorial
of ‘Kalpi Rishi’ and a museum that displays pens of the Guru and weapons of
the time.
Yamuna Temple (200m): This ancient shrine is immediately below the
Gurudwara and is dedicated to the Goddess Yamuna.
Gurudwara Bhangani Sahib (23-km): This commemorates Guru Gobind
Singh’s first battle when he defeated Raja Fateh Shah and his allies.
Gurudwara Tirgarh Sahib (22-km): This Gurudwara is built on the
hillock from where Guru Gobind Singh shot arrows at the enemy.
Nagnauna Temple (16-km): Built in a hollow near the village of
Puruwalla, this temple is closely allied with the legend of Sirmour’s
erstwhile ruling house.
Gurudwara Shergarh Sahib (12-km): At this spot Guru Gobind Singh
beheaded a dangerous man-eating tiger with a single swipe of his sword.
Fossil Park: 60-km from Paonta Sahib, this was the site of the
largest fossil find in the Shivalik hills. The park has a museum and
life-size models of the animals that once roamed these tracts.
Shiva Temple, Patlian: 5-km from Paonta Sahib, surrounded by fields
and sal trees, the ‘linga’ in this temple is supposed to be steadily
increasing in size.
Katasan Devi Temple: 30-km from Paonta Sahib, 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.
Balasundari Temple, Trilokpur: Legend has it that the Devi’s ‘pindi’
appeared in the bag of salt brought by a local trader, Raja Deep Parkash of
Sirmour in 1573. Close by is a recently built Shiva temple.
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 the memory of Raja Partap Chand of
Kangra by his wife, who originally belonged to Sirmour. The Kirpal Dass
Gurudwara is just past the temple.
Simbalwara Wildlife Sanctuary: 12-km off the main Paonta Sahib-Nahan
road, this is known for a variety of bird life.
Shrine of Baba Garib Nath: 8-km from Paonta Sahib, located in a sal
forest and with an excellent view of the area, the shrine is revered by
childless women.
Assan Lake: 4-km from Paonta Sahib, this beautiful lake has all
facilities like speedboats, rowing, paddle and sailing boats. In addition,
one can enjoy water skiing and hovercraft rides. A fast food restaurant is
also available.
HOW TO GET
THERE:
Road: Paonta Sahib is connected by road. From Renuka, it is 81-km via
Nahan and 60-km via Rajban. From Dehradun it is 44-km.
Rail: The closest railheads are at Ambala, 95-km, Dehradun 126-km and
Chandigarh 95-km.
Air: The nearest airports are at Chandigarh and Dehradun. Taxis/buses
are available for Paonta Sahib at all places.
WHERE TO STAY:
Hotel Yamuna
Citizen
Clock Tower
Ganga Lodge
Om Jees
Pontika
Mahak
City Heart
CLIMATE:
In winter, the temperature can hover around freezing point when heavy
woolens are required. Summer temperatures are quite high and cottons are
recommended.
