ANANDPUR SHAIB

Anandpur Sahib is an important Sikh Pilgrimage town located in Ropar District of Punjab. It is considered to be “Holy City of Bliss” by Sikhs. The town is located in picturesque surrounding. River Sutlez flows very near it in Southwest direction. In 1665 9^th Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadhur founded this place and gave the name Chak Nanki in memory of Guru Nanak’s mother whose name was Nanki. Later the name changed to Anandpur Sahib.

One of the most important celebration in this place is “ Hola Mohalla” which is celebrated for three long days coinciding with Holi Festival. During that time display of Martial spirit of Sikhs can be seen.

Baisaki is also another great festival celebrated with great fervor as on that day in 1699 10^th Guru of Sikhism Guru Gobind Singh Baptised Panj Pyaras in Anandpur Sahib.

This place boasts of continuous Langar (Mass feeding) for all visitors who flock t the Gurudhrwara. Colorful Nirankhari Sikhs can also be seen here who are known to ride on their horses.    

One must visit Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex when one visits Anandpur Sahib. This is also known as Virasat e Khalsa also known as Museum of Sikhs. Eastern and Western complex of the buildings are connected by a bridge. The whole complex is very artistically designed and boasts of local architecture.  The Museum boasts of 500 years of Sikh history and 300 years of the birth of Khalsa.

Apart from various exhibits depicting rustic rural Punjab life, celebrations, agriculture, harvest , storage, village culture etc. there are exhibits detailing complete life and history of Guru Nanak and Sikhism’s subsequent Gururs. The audio available is in various languages and the head phone gets activated in respective language when one reaches the exhibit. Sound and light shows are also very interesting.

Staff are very friendly and co-operative in guiding you to library, book shop etc. It is a must visit when one makes a trip to the holy town of Anandpur Shaib.