Anandpur Sahib is a picturesque Village, a 17th Century Fortress and an Impressive Gurudwara.

Anandpur Sahib lies towards Dharamsala and Manali and lies about 75 kms far from Chandigarh. Its a picturesque village, framed between the Shivalik hills to the east and the Sutlej river further away in the west. Nature has been generous here. Much of the year, vast green expanses greet visitors during their 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.

The ubiquitous tractor is one of the commonest means of transport. As its sputter punctures the calm of the village, one may join a colourfully dressed group setting off to the market. During the 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 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.

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.