Anandpur Sahib

History of Gurudwara Anandpur Sahib

This city just near the Punjab Himachal border is the city where the sikh religion was defined and Khalsa the military edition of Sikh came into in to existence. It was the ninth master Guru Tegh Bahadur who developed this city in 1665, the city was named Chakk Nanki. The Guru used to meet the Sikh devotees and held congregation, in one of those congregations a team of Kashmiri Brahmins came to the Guru and pleaded for a way to save the Hindu religion as the same was under an onslaught by the fanatic Islamic ruler Aurangzeb. Guruji promised them help and sent a message to the Mughal ruler that if they can convert Guru Tegh Bahadur sahib to Islam the rest of the followers of Hinduism in Kashmir will automatically embrace Islam. Besides Amritsar Tour Packages Anandpur Sahib is another Holy Place for Sikh Tourism.

Guru Sahib himself traveled to Delhi, despite all efforts the Mughal King Aurangzeb could not convert Guru Sahib to Islam and in disgust he ordered the beheading of the Guru. Guru Tegh Bahadur was martyred while saving the Hindu religion. Guru Tegh Bahadur is also called “Hind Ki Chadar”. The beheaded head (sees) was brought to Anandpur sahib by an ardent devotee and was cremated in Anandpur sahib. This martyrdom led the Sikhs to militarize as the tenth master, the son of Guru Tegh Bahadur“ Guru Gobind Singh ordered his disciples to be armed. Here in Anand Pur sahib in 1699 amidst a large congregation of Sikhs the Khalsa or the pure was formed and a proper religion came in to existence. This threatened the neighboring Rajput hill chiefs who along with the Mughal armies attacked Anandpur Sahib. Guru Ji defeated the armies of Mughal’s in the first battle of Anandpur sahib in 1700 and the Mughal commander Painda Khan was killed. In 1704 the Mughals and the hill chiefs again laid seize to the Anandpur sahib.

After the long seize Guru Ji agreed to leave the city but the Mughals betrayed and the cavalcade of the Guru was attacked, fighting the Mughal’s the family of GURU sahib which included mother of Guru Sahib and his younger sons was taken in capture by the vizier of Sir hind, These small kids were bricked alive by the orders of the vizier. The grandmother Mata Gurjari also died in Sir hind. Guru Sahib and his elder sons met the Mughal forces and the famous battle of Chamkaur sahib was fought in which the elder sons attained martyrdom fighting the Mughal. But the Mughals could not lay hands on Guru Gobind singh ji who escaped to malwa area of Punjab.

Location of Anandpur Sahib: - The city of Anandpur lies on the north east border of Punjab, this city is very near to Himachal, the city of Chandigarh lies just 85 kms from Anandpur sahib.

How to reach Anandpur Sahib?: - The city of Anandpur is well connected with other parts of India via four lane highways, the National highway 503 from Chandigarh to Nangal passes through the Anandpur city.
Anandpur sahib has an Indian railway station the nearest airport is the Chandigarh international airport.

Takht Srikeshgarh sahib-Anandpur sahib is the third Takht of the Sikh religion. One amongst the five Takhts.

Places to visit in Anandpur Sahib Gurudwara

1. Takht Sri KeshGarh sahib- It is the biggest and the most important Sikh Gurudwara in Anandpur sahib. The dome of the Gurudwara is visible from a distance. The Gurudwara is situated on an elevated area, this Gurudwara also has the collection of the arms personally used by the Sikh Guru sahib and his armies, a public exposition of these arms is held every day twice, once in the morning and then again in the evening. The Gurudwara has a large community kitchen, a sarovar (pool) and rooms for the devotees to stay. This is the place where the Khalsa was born on the 13th April (Baisakhi) of 1669.

2. Virasat E-Khalsa- A grand museum was planned and built by the government of Punjab commemorating the 300th anniversary of the birth of Khalsa. This museum showcases the history and the culture of the Sikh community and religion. There are two circular main buildings joined by abridge with a water body underneath. The museum is surrounded by a beautiful lush green garden. There is a ample parking space for the visitors. There is a cafeteria for the visitors in the parking lot.

The visitors are screened properly before entering the museum area. Modern methodology has been used to narrate the historical aspects. A visit to Virasat E Khalsa sure is entertaining and increases the knowledge levels of the visitors. Kiratpur sahib- This place lies just 10 kms away from the city of Anandpur on the national highway joining Chandigarh with Manali. The city was developed by the sixth master of Sikh religion Sri Guru Har Gobind sahib ji. The Gurudwara pataalpuri at Kiratpur is considered very sacred and the Sikh people come from far and wide to immerse the ashes of their dead in river Satluj.

Sikh guru Har Gobind sahib and Guru Har Rai were cremated at the place of the Gurudwara later the ashes of the eight master Guru Harkishan sahib were also immersed over here. The Gurudwara has ample of rooms and a community kitchen for the visiting devotees.

Forts in Anandpur- Through none of the original forts now exist but these five forts have been recreated resembling the original forts built by the Guru Gobind Singh to battle the Mughal forces.

1. Qila Anandgarh Sahib- This lies very near to the Takht Sri Keshgarh sahib and is situated atop a small hill the military structure though recreated reminds of the glory past. There is a baoli (stepwell) inside the fort. The devotees do carry the water of the stepwell as sacred water.
2. Qila Lohgarh Sahib- This is where the arms were manufactured for the armies of Guru Sahib.
3. Qila Fatehgarg sahib- This fort is the auspicious place where Fateh Singh the son of Guru Gobind Singh was born.
4. Qila Holgarh sahib- The festival of Holi Known as Hola Mohalla in Sikh annals is celebrated here.
5. Qila Taragarh sahib- was made to stop the advance of the armies of the hill chiefs.