Sirmaur District's Gurudwara Paonta Sahib is known for its eternal divine ambiance that oozes tranquility. One can feel that sheer devotion while spending some time at the Gurudwara. Commemorating Guru Gobind Sahib, the holy place is one of the most-visited places in Himachal Pradesh. The word Paonta means space for a foothold.
From the Gurudwara, one can see some of the finest views of Doon Valley and nearby hills. Here, you will also find a palanquin made of gold which has been donated by a devotee. Shri Talab Ashtan and the Shri Dastar Ashtan are two of the most notable places inside the gurudwara. Apart from that, one can also find the pens to even weapons used by the Guru himself inside the premises.
The months from February to March are generally considered the best time to visit Paonta Sahib. During this time, the weather condition is quite good for sightseeing and exploring activities. The summer months are usually very hot and may not prove suitable for traveling.
History of Gurudwara Paonta Sahib
The gurdwara is located at a place where for the first time, Guru Gobind Singh Ji had entered the kingdom of Sirmaur. He was just 16 years old at that time. Raja Medini Prakash had invited him to make a visit to his kingdom.
This was a step to strengthen the bond between the Guru and him. It is said that as a special gesture of reverence, the king along with his court members as well as the leading merchants of the kingdom had come to meet him without any security.
Seeing the gravity of the dangers of those times, this bold step of the King had the desired effect on the Guru. Due to this, he ended up living in the town for about four years or so. Guru Gobind Singh Ji even left a written account of his stay at Paonta.
Major Attractions in and Around Gurudwara Paonta Sahib
1. Assan Lake
Sited at a distance of about 4 km from the gurudwara, this beautiful lake was developed by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department. It is a famous tourist spot where one can get involved in many recreational activities like speed boating, sail boating, skiing.
2. Khodra Dak Pathar
This is yet again a popular travel getaway located at an approximate distance of 25 km from Paonta Sahib. This is actually a very beautiful picnic spot and is considered a tranquil retreat with elements like a beautiful park, tourist bungalow, and large swimming pools. It is a great place to relax in the soothing beauty of nature.
3. Sahastradhara
Sahastradhara is considered to be a place with the immense beauty of nature. This is the place where the Yamuna meets Tong river. Tong river also goes by the name of Tamsa. While on your visit to this place, you can also consider traveling to the village of Kalsi which was the former capital of the Sirmaur district.
How to Reach Gurudwara Paonta Sahib
It is situated at a distance of about 248 km, 1740 km, 1655 km, and 2399 km from the metropolitan cities Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bengaluru respectively.
By Air
The nearest airport to Paonta Sahib is Jolly International Airport of Dehradun. You can take connecting flights from Delhi and Chandigarh to reach here. Once you land there, you will need to get buses, cabs, or auto-rickshaws to reach the place you want to go to.
- From Mumbai - Board Air India, Spice Jet, Vistara, and IndiGo flights from Delhi International Airport. The flight may cost you around INR 4005-6106
- From Kolkata - Board Air India, Vistara, and IndiGo flights from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Air Airport. The flight may cost you around INR 5707-9277
By Train
In the proximity of Paonta Sahib, you can get a train to Ambala Railway station or Dehradun Railway station whichever falls nearby as per your overall comfort. Deboard at any of these two stations and then take a cab or bus to reach the desired place.
- From Surat - Board AMRITSAR EXPRESS train from Surat Railway Station and deboard at Ambala railway station.
- From Ahmedabad - Board SARVODAYA EXP train from Ahmedabad Railway Junction and deboard at Ambala railway station.
By Road
When you are planning to visit Paonta Sahib by road, a cab or bus can assist you the best but it all depends on the location from where you are traveling. If you prefer your vehicle over public means then you can cut the costs. However, if you are residing in the nearby regions then you can also consider self-driving here.
- From Rishikesh - 96.5 km via NH7
- From Delhi - 248.1 km via NH44
- From Solan - 127.9 km via NH7
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven Trip planner.
