A bustling town with growing industries, Poanta Sahib is a city sacred to the memory of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. The town retains memorials to the martial Guru in the form of his weapons and a majestic Gurudwara. His name is recalled in the name of the city. The city derived its name from `paon` meaning `foot`. It is believed that he set foot in this place. Another story states that he lost an ornament that he wore on his foot called a `paonta` while bathing in the waters of Yamuna.

Guru Govind Singh held court and wrote the major portion of the `Dasam Granth` here. The Guru built the Paonta Fort over hundred acres of land. It housed his followers and forty-six famous poets. The Guru left Paonta Sahib after the battle of Bhangani with Raja Fateh Shah.He defeated the errant ruler`s army after thirty days of battle.

The historical town Paonta Sahib is surrounded by sal forest. The Guru lived here for over four years after he left Anandpur Sahib at the age of sixteen. Raja Maidini Prakash of Sirmour invited him to stay at this place. The old `Paonta` means `Space for a foothold`.