Anandpur Sahib – The Spiritual & Historic Heart of Sikhism
Popular as the land of five rivers, Punjab is all about experiencing one of the different flavors of being Indian. And one city in Punjab which speaks volumes about its magnificent culture is Anandpur Sahib. Lying on the edge of the Shivalik Hills this city comes across as very valuable for the Sikh community due to the fact that the last two gurus, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh lived here.
Considered as one of the sacred destinations amid the Sikh community, Anandpur Sahib is flocked with a great number of devotees on an annual basis. Apart from this, Anandpur Sahib is also known for having a plethora of gurudwaras which were mainly built in honor of various Sikh Gurus.
History of Anandpur Sahib
Talking about history, this place occupies a great significance for the locals of Punjab. Founded in 1665, by the ninth Guru Tegh Bahadur this city has its timeless charm about it. It is said that earlier he used to reside at Kiratpur but due to some disputes, he had to move to Makhoval.
And then just about two years after that, he was beheaded by the cruel Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. This was done so as Guru Tegh Bahadur had refused to convert to Islam. This martyrdom led to the crown of his son Guru Gobind Das (Guru Gobind Singh) as his successor.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji realized that the only solution to end Mughal rule lied in rebellion. And soon as per his vision, the population of Sikhs in the region started rising. On the other hand, Aurangzeb realized this and took steps to not let any revolt find its way to his throne. Thus, in 1693, as per Aurangzeb’s orders, the Sikh gatherings in any area were completely banned. By 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji had successfully gathered a considerable amount of militia and as a consequence triggering the revolt against Mughals which led to various battles.
Major Attractions In And Around Anandpur Sahib
1. Virasat-e-Khalsa
It is a museum that was essentially built in honor of Sikhs celebrating 500 years of Sikhism. Entering the museum, the tourists get to see various relics belonging to the glorious Sikh era over the past centuries. As per the records, over 10 million people have visited the museum to date and the numbers are only growing.
2. Takhat Sri Kesari Sahib Ji
It is quite a popular Gurudwara located right in the center of Anandpur Sahib. Did you know that the foundation of this place was laid in the year 1689 and that the Khalsa Panth was born in this very place? Interesting to know, isn’t it?
3. Sarovar Anandpur Sahib
Covering an area of about 80 square meters, the holy waters of this place are very famous among the devotees. A great number of pilgrims come here for cleansing their souls and rejuvenating their minds and spirit.
Things to Do in Anandpur Sahib
- Seek blessings at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and other gurudwaras.
- Explore Virasat-e-Khalsa to learn about Sikh history.
- Visit the historic forts and battle sites of Guru Gobind Singh.
- Attend the grand Hola Mohalla festival for Sikh martial arts and celebrations.
- Enjoy the scenic beauty of the Shivalik Hills and nearby villages.
Best Time to Visit Anandpur Sahib
- October to March - Pleasant weather for exploring the city and its heritage.
- March (Hola Mohalla Festival) - Experience Sikh traditions and martial arts in full grandeur.
- April (Baisakhi) - Celebrate the Khalsa Panth’s birth anniversary with Sikhs from around the world.
How to Reach Anandpur Sahib
A spiritual city to explore, that is how we can best describe this phenomenal city in its entirety. Founded by Guru Tegh Bahadur this place city is all about connecting with your lost self. It is situated at a distance of 313, 1,760, 1,830, 2,492 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Here is how you can reach here by the following means of transportation.
By Air
The nearest airport is the Chandigarh Airport (IXC) located at a distance of 89 km. This airport is known to serve seven domestic airlines and also has international connectivity. Various airlines like Air India, Go Air, Air Asia, Vistara operate with good connectivity. After deboarding at the Chandigarh Airport, you will need to travel via some means of public transportation like a cab or a bus. You can also opt for a train. From Chandigarh station, you can board UHL Janshatabdi Express and HW UHL LINK JSHT.
- Delhi - Board AirAsia, Go Air, Vistara Air India from Indira Gandhi International Airport. The airfares are starting from Rs.2,000
- Agra - Board Air India flight from Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Airport. The airfares are starting from Rs.5,000
- Ahmedabad - Board Go Air, Vistara, IndiGo, Air India from Ahmedabad Airport. The airfares are starting from Rs.2,500
- Hyderabad - Board Air India, Vistara, IndiGo from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. The airfares are starting from Rs.3,500-Rs.4,000
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Anandpur Sahib
By Road
You can consider traveling to Anandpur Sahib via road network as well. Depending upon your location, you can either choose to travel by your own vehicle or interstate buses. From Delhi, the starting bus fares are Rs.500. From Jaipur, the fares are starting from Rs.700. From Agra, the fares are starting from Rs.500-Rs.600
- Delhi - 313 km via NH44
- Dehradun - 282 km via NH7
- Patiala - 119 km via NH7
- Shimla - 140 km via SH16 or NH205
- Ludhiana - 114 km via NH44 or NH205
By Train
Anandpur Sahib has its own railway station of the same name. It is a small railhead located in the Rupnagar district of Punjab. This station has only one platform. And it doesn’t have very good connectivity with other cities. After deboarding at the station, you will need to take some means of public transportation.
- Delhi - Board Himachal Express or UHL Janshatabadi Express from New Delhi Station and deboard at the Anandpur Sahib.
- UNA - Board NDLS Jan Shatabdi Express from UNA Himachal and deboard at the Anandpur Sahib.
Frequently Asked Questions about Anandpur Sahib
Q. Where is Anandpur Sahib located?
A. Anandpur Sahib is a city located in the Indian state of Punjab.
Q. What is Hola Mohalla, and why is it celebrated in Anandpur Sahib?
A. Hola Mohalla is a Sikh festival celebrated after Holi, featuring martial arts (Gatka), horse riding, mock battles, and religious processions. It was started by Guru Gobind Singh in Anandpur Sahib to prepare Sikhs for self-defense.
Q. Is there any entry fee for Virasat-e-Khalsa?
A. No, entry to Virasat-e-Khalsa Museum is free for all visitors.
Q. Where can I stay in Anandpur Sahib?
A. There are budget hotels, guest houses, and gurudwara accommodations available. Many visitors prefer to stay at Gurudwara Sarai (free or minimal cost, with basic facilities).
Q. How long does it take to explore Anandpur Sahib?
A. A one-day visit is enough to explore major attractions, but if you want to attend festivals or experience Sikh culture deeply, a 2-3 day trip is ideal.
