Demographics

As of 2001[update] India census,"Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved on 2008-11-01.  Anandpur Sahib had a population of 13,886. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Anandpur Sahib has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 56% of the males and 44% of females literate. 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Best Time to Visit : October to June

Naina Devi: The hill top shrine of Naina Devi (Mother Goddess) is situated in Bilaspur District of Himachal Pradesh in India. It is just 30 km from Anandpur Sahib and 100 km from Chandigarh. Both Sikhs and Hindus regularly visit each other’s shrines. Since time immemorial, people from all walks of life irrespective of caste ad religion have been visiting this temple for a darshan of Maa Naina Devi. They come with hope to get their wishes fulfilled.

Kiratpur Sahib: Kiratpur Sahib is about 10 km from Anandpur Sahib and is a sacred place for all Sikhs. It has a long association with most of the Sikh Gurus. Guru Nanak Dev is said to have visited this place when it was little more than a wilderness. Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru spent the last few years of his life here. You can see several Gurudwaras here viz. Gurudwara Charan Kamal, Gurudwara Baba Gurditta, Tomb of Baba Buddan Shah, Gurudwara Bavangarh, Gurudwara Pata Puri and Gurudwara Shish Mahal. The significance of this place is that Sikhs immerse the ashes of their dead at this place.

Ropar: Ropar or Rupnagar is a small town just 40 km from Anandpur Sahib famous for its museum which houses the findings of Archeological Survey of India (ASI). ASI had excavated treasure troves of remains – in all there were traces of six civilizations.

About 15 km from Ropar lies the Gurudwara Parwar Vichhora Sahib, which commemorates the spot where Guru Gobind Singh was separated by his two sons and mother on the night of the battle – 5th December 1705.

There are ample buses plying at regular intervals from Delhi and Chandigarh to Anandpur Sahib. All buses going to Una in Himachal Pradesh pass through Anandpur Sahib.

Rail

The main railhead for trains coming in from Mumbai is Ambala Cantonment, 125 km away. From Ambala Cantonment there are a few passenger trains running to Nangal and an Express train as well, all of which stop in Anandpur Sahib.

Air

Chandigarh is the nearest airport, 97 km away. Jet Airways (daily) and Indian Airlines (twice a week) operate flights between New Delhi and Chandigarh. Indian Airlines also operates flights to Chandigrah from Amritsar (twice a week) and Leh (once a week).

Holla Mohalla

An annual Sikh martial festival, Hola Mohalla is celebrated in the month of Phalguna (March), a day after Holi. The highlight of this fair is a spectacular display of fencing and tent-pegging, as the Nihang Sikhs show off their legendary martial equestrian skills.

The festival being an occasion to rejoice is also a time to restore faith in the Khalsa Panth and rededicate oneself to the service of the community. Everyone, irrespective of their social standing, involves themselves in kar seva - manual labour, like helping in the langars, or public kitchens, cleaning the gurudwaras, and washing dishes etc.

The festival is celebrated grandly at Anandpur Sahib. Thousands of people visit the shrine to participate in prayers. The symbol of this festival is to understand the duty of an individual with responsibilities towards the society.

"Wahe Guru", an expression praising the master of the universe is on the lips of every devotee that comes to Anandpur Sahib. You will immediately feel the sense of serenity that pervades this 'city of divine bliss', one of the four seats of authority of the Sikh religion, where magnificent pure-white gurudwaras beckon pilgrims from afar. The gurudwara and forts here have witnessed some of the most significant events in Sikh religious history. The Khalsa Panth was founded here, a council of five wise men that governs Sikh religious affairs was first established here, as was the practice of worshipping the Guru Granth Sahib. Anandpur Sahib is the ideal place to gain an insight into the essence of Sikhism that governs the life of tough, hardy Sardars from Bhatinda to Birmingham. During the festivals of Holla Mohalla (March) and Baisakhi (April) you can join the sea of devotees who flock to Anandpur Sahib, converting it into a carnival zone brimming with religious fervour, culture, tradition and gaiety.

Anandpur Sahib is a small town 80 km from Chandigarh. It lies in the Ropar district of north-east Punjab, on the border with Himachal Pradesh. On one side of Anandpur Sahib are the foothills of the towering Shivalik range, on the other, the river Sutlej. Located on the Ambala-Sirhind-Ropar-Nangal rail route and the Ambala-Nangal road, it is 45 km from Ropar and 22 km from Nangal.

Kesar Sahib Gurdwara lies in the centre of town and is a five minute walk from the bus stand on the highway. Between Kesar Sahib and the bus stand lies a market with numerous chemists, snack shops and STD booths. The main town is spread in a labyrinth of small lanes behind the Kesar Sahib, but also extends to the area between Kesar Sahib and Anandgarh Fort. The railway station is a ten minute walk from the bus stand on the main highway, towards Ambala.

Religious Spots

Gurudwara Guru-Ka-Mahal (Bhora Sahib): It is the residence of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur inherited by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji; the sahibzadas- the holy sons of the 10th Guru were born here. An underground room is there, where the 9th Guru used to meditate.

Gurudwara Sis-Ganj Sahib: The martyred head of the 9th Guru which was heroically brought by Bhai Jaita (Bhai Jiwan Singh) after taking holy nectar according to Sikh rites (baptism) in exultant defiance of the Mughal authorities was cremated here, ceremoniously.

Gurudwara Damdama Sahib: The 10th Guru was given the Guru Gaddi, here. It was from here that he had declared the end of the institution of the Masands-the priestly agents of the former Gurus.

Historical Monuments

Central Fort Sri Anandgarh Sahib: Central Fort Sri Anandgarh Sahib was built in the year 1686. It was hit several times by the combined forces of the hill chiefs and local Moghul officers and every time attackers were put to flight, licking dust. In 1704, however, when the Rajas of Bilaspur, Kangra, Kulu, Mandi, Nurpur, Guler, Chamba, Jammu and Garhwal, in tandem with the Mughal Governors of Delhi, Lahore and Sirhind attacked Anandgarh, although the Fort held out, but for lack of ration and ammunition the inmates were reduced to dire straits. When the besieged Khalsa insisted and the enemy vowed safe passage, the fort was vacated. Since the vows were not kept, the evacuation from the fort spelt disaster in which the 10th Guru's four sons, several intrepid warriors and financial and literary treasures were lost.

Lohgarh Fort: It was Sri Anandpur Sahib's Armoury, weapon manufacturing factory and martial training ground.

Fatehgarh Fort: Stood guard over the highways which connected Sri Anandpur Sahib to Sirhind and Lahore in the north and to Delhi in the south.

Taragarh Fort: Kept watch over the hill states. This fort was built to prevent any attack from the side of the hill State of Bilaspur.

For further information you may contact the Punjab Tourism Development Corporation at : Tel.Nos- 0172-781138, 781147, 781179, 781091, 548828 (Fax)

State Bank Of Patiala
GURUDWARA KESHGAR SAHIB,
GURDWARA TAKHAT SRI KESHGARH SAHIB,
ANANDPUR SAHIB, PUNJAB - 140118

State Bank of Patiala
NEAR SATNARAYAN MANDIR,
ARYA SAMAJ CHOWK,
NEAR SATNARAYAN MANDIR,
PATIALA, PUNJAB - 147001

State Bank of Patiala
BUS STAND,
STATE BANK OF PATIALA,
AURBINDO BHAWAN,
PATIALA, PUNJAB - 147001

State Bank of Patiala
Grand Park Hotel,
STATE BANK OF PATIALA,
BHUPINDER NAGAR,
PATIALA, PUNJAB - 147001