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Anandpur Sahib-the holy City of Bliss-is one of the most important sacred places of the Sikhs and is closely linked with their religious traditions and history. It is located on the lower spurs of the great Himalayas surrounded by picturesque natural scenery, with the river Satluj forming a shimmering and shiny blue border on the south west barely four miles away. The historical significance of Anandpur Sahib is very much concerned, it is second only to Amritsar, the city of Golden Temple. Anandpur Sahib was founded in the year 1664 by the ninth Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji, near the ruins of an ancient place, Makhowal. The Guru purchased the site from the ruler of Bilaspur.

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 very large spacious pavilion is also found around for larger congregation.

Although the town is small but due to the occassion of Hola Mohalla every year in the month of March, it booms into boisterous activities and recaptures its old glory and splendor.


Anandpur Sahib comes to life every year on the very occasion of Hola Mohalla. This particular tradition dates back to the times of the 10th Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Guru decided that during the occasion of the festival of Holi, fun and frolic and colour splashing, be the occasion for the display of the martial spirit of his people and he gave this festival of Holi a more masculine name of Hola Mohalla. Each year Hola Mohalla has marked the congregation of lacs of devotees from all over the country for a festival of colour and gaiety.

The Guru decided that during the occasion of the festival of Holi, fun and frolic and colour splashing, be the occasion for the display of the martial spirit of his people and he gave this festival of Holi a more masculine name of Hola Mohalla. Each year Hola Mohalla has marked the congregation of lacs of devotees from all over the country for a festival of colour and gaiety.

The celebrations of Baisakhi in the year of 1999 at Anandpur Sahib had been significant as it marked the completion of 300 years of the Birth of the Khalsa. It was on this auspicious day that Baisakhi day in 1699 that Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji baptised the 'Panj Pyaras' at Anaandpur Sahib at the place where Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib stands.

Near by tourist places to Anandpur Sahib Chandigarh Agra Delhi

• Through Airways: Through Airways the nearest airport is at Chandigarh, about 75 kms away from where Anandpur Sahib.


• Through Railways: The nearest railhead is at Nangal. The city has Delhi-Una Himachal Express which is a direct and very convenient train from Delhi to Anandpur Sahib. Another best option is to come from Delhi to Chandigarh by some express train like- Hawrah-Kalka Mail, Shatabdi Express/Himalayan Queen and then travel to Anandpur Sahib by road (distance 85 km).


• Through Roadways: Anandpur Sahib lies 10 kms off NH 21, on the Chandigarh-Manali highway (85 km from Chandigarh). Turn left at the ruins of Kiratpur to get to Anandpur Sahib. There are good buses plying at regular intervals from Delhi and Chandigarh to Anandpur Sahib. All buses going to Una in Himachal Pradesh pass through Anandpur Sahib.