Anandpur Sahib is a city in Rupnagar district (Ropar) in the state of Punjab, India. Known as “The Holy City of Bliss” it is one of the most important sacred places for the Sikhs, closely linked with their religious traditions and history. It is located on the lower spurs of the Himalayas surrounded by picturesque natural scenery, with the river Sutlej forming a border on the south west barely four miles away. As far as the historical significance of Anandpur Sahib is concerned, it is second only to Amritsar, the city of Golden Temple.
Anandpur Sahib was founded in 1665 by the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur when he bought a tract of land. Here on the mound of Makhowal, Guru Tegh Bahadur raised a new habitation. The ground was broken on 19 June 1665, by Baba Gurditta. The new village was named Chakk Nanaki after the Guru’s mother, Nanaki. The place later came to be known as Anandpur Sahib.
The Takht Sahib proper is a square hall with a balcony in front overlooking a spacious courtyard on a lower level. In the middle of the inner domed room are placed some weapons preserved as sacred relics.
The space being limited on the top of the hill, the sarovar is on the plain ground west of the Takht Sahib. A large spacious pavilion is also around for larger congregation. Although the town is small but on the occassion of Hola Mohalla every year in the month of March it booms into boisterous activities and recaptures its old glory and splendour.
Landmarks:
Thakat Shri Kesh Garh Sahib is the central place of Anandpur Sahib. This revered place is birthplace of Khalsa: Revelation of Khalsa took place here. The sanctum centorium is one of the Five Temporal Authorities (Five Takhats) of Sikhism.
Gurudwara Sisganj Sahib: Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib embraced martyrdom in Delhi on November 11, 1675. Guru Sahib’s Head was brought here from Gurudwara Bibangarh, Kiratpur Sahib by Bhai Jaita (Bhai Jeewan Singh) and his associates. This is the place where the “Head of Guru Teg Bahadur” was cremated.
Guru Gobind Singh and his family lived at the site of the Guru De Mahal complex. Guru Tegh Bahadur meditated and composed hymns at the site of Gurdwara Bhora Sahib. Gurdwara Manji Sahib was the site of his Diwan-i-Aam, or place of public audience. Gurdwara Damdama Sahib was his Diwan-i-Khas, or place of private audience; it was here that Guru Gobind Singh was installed as the tenth Guru in 1675.
Anandpur Sahib comes to life every year on the occasion of Hola Mohalla. This tradition dates back to the times of the 10th Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Guru decided that the festival of Holi, fun and frolic and colour splashing, would be the occasion for the display of his people’s martial spirit, and he gave this festival of Holi a more masculine name of Hola Mohalla. Each year Hola Mohalla marks the congregation of lakhs of devotees from all over the country for a festival of colour and gaiety.
During the three-day festivals, all the Gurudwaras are decorated, and community conferences followed by religious functions. Moreover, a huge procession of Nihangs is organized where people dress up in traditional outfit and carry weapons. On the third day, the possession pass through headquarter of Nihangs, the market, and reaches the fort of Holgarh. Holgarh is the place where Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji used to celebrate all festivals and fairs. The occasion also includes martial games, horse riding, tent pegging, sword wielding and so on. This is the time when Anandpur Sahib becomes live and enticing.
Sacred Gurudwaras near Sri Anandpur Sahib :
Guru-Ka-Lahore: It is 11 kms on Sri Anandpur Sahib-Ganguwal route leading to the State of Himachal Pradesh. On 25th January, 1686, the 10th Guru’s wedding to Mata Jito Ji was celebrated here. Two almost pinhead springs still functional, were pierced by the 10th Guru by lancing the rocky mountains.
Gurudwara Mata Jito Ji : Not far from Holgarh Fort. Mata Jito Ji was cremated here.
Bhai Ghanaiya : Bhai Ghanaiya offered first aid to friendly and enemy forces alike across the area spanning the now-almost dried up rivulet Charan Ganga and below the Taragarh hill. His unbiased service has been compared to the functions of the Red Cross.
Virasat-e-Khalsa (formerly known as Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex) is a museum. This museum gives an insight to the events that took place in Punjab five hundred years ago which gave birth to Sikhism and finally the Khalsa Panth. The museum throws light on the vision of the Gurus, the eternal message of peace and brotherhood which they delivered to the whole mankind and the rich culture and heritage of Punjab.
The museum is intended to commemorate 500 years of Sikh history and the 300th anniversary of the Khalsa, the scriptures written by the 10th and last Guru of Sikhism, Gobind Singh, founder of modern Sikhism.
Source:
http://www.sikhtourism.com/anandpur-sahib.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anandpur_Sahib
https://www.tourmyindia.com/pilgrimage/anandpur-sahib.html
http://currentaffairs.nirdeshak.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/06/Anandpur-Sahib-2015.jpeg
http://www.rupnagar.nic.in/html/SriKeshGarhSahib.htm
http://www.india.com/buzz/hola-mohalla-punjabs-rich-and-colourful-tradition-306174/