Paonta Saheb,Sikh Pilgrimage in India
Gurudwara Paonta Sahib is a revered shrine of the Sikh religion. This
sacred shrine not only renders a spiritual comfort, but also offers us
an insight into how Sikhism has sustained. The place got its name either
from the fact that Guru Gobind Singh set his foot here or because he
lost an ornament here that he used to wear on his foot.
As per stories, the Gurudwara was once visited by Guru Gobind Singh
Ji, the tenth guru of the Sikhs. The Sikh Guru came to Sirmour on the
invitation of the Raja Medini Prakash and was so impressed with the
courtesy of the king that he decided to spend the next four years at
Poanta and left a written account of his life in the kingdom, which he
described as the happiest years of his life.
It is said that, once Raja Medini Prakash and Guru ji were exploring
the place. On their excursion, Guruji was so much impressed that he
decided to construct a camp on the bank of the river. Guruji laid the
foundation of this holy city with his own scarred hands and named it
Paon-tikka, which is known as Paonta Sahib today. As a token of respect
and gratitude, Raja Medini Prakash decided to build a Gurudwara on the
bank of Yamuna River. Before leaving the Gurudwara, Guruji fought many
battles against some of the neighbouring hamlets.
The current structure of the Gurudwara was constructed by Baba Kapur
Singh in 1823. Earlier, the shrine was located in the middle of thick
and luscious forest where Guru Gobind Singh Ji used to indulge in
hunting, train his warriors and write literature books. Guru Gobind
Singh wrote many important holy books here, including the major portion
of the Dasam Granth. Then he left for Anandpur Sahib to create the
Khalsa Panth.
Inside the Gurudwara, there is a big darbar where Guru used to sit
with his 52 poets. Other major attractions are Shri Talab Asthan and
Shri Dastan Asthan; at Shri Talab Asthan salaries are disbursed, and at
Shri Talab Asthan turban draping competition is organized. In addition,
there is a museum where various weapons of Guruji are displayed.
On the river bank behind the shrine stands the historical temple of
Yamuna ji and besides it the Ma Yamuna Bal Park. Nearby the Gurudwara
Paonta Sahib, there is Gurudwara Shri Kavi Darbar Sahib where every year
a poetry recitation competition is organized. Sikh pilgrims flock here
at all hours, and devotional songs waft over the compound, adding to
the contemplative mood. Pilgrims come here to seek spiritual solace.
