Anandpur Sahib

Anandpur Sahib
ਅਨੰਦਪੁਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ
City

Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, the main attraction from Anandpur Sahib
Anandpur Sahib

Location in Punjab, India

Coordinates: 31°14′N 76°30′E / 31.23°N 76.50°E / 31.23; 76.50Coordinates: 31°14′N 76°30′E / 31.23°N 76.50°E / 31.23; 76.50
Country  India
State Punjab
District Rupnagar
Government
 • MLA Madan Mohan Mital (BJP)
 • MP Prem Singh Chandumajra (SAD)
Languages
 • Official Punjabi
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 140118
Telephone code 91-1887
Vehicle registration PB 16

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 Sikhs' most important sacred places, 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.

History

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.

Demographics

As of 2011 India census,[1] The Anandpur Sahib Municipal Council has population of 16,282 of which 8,545 are males while 7,737 are females as per report released by Census India 2011.

Population of Children with age of 0-6 is 1774 which is 10.90% of total population of Anandpur Sahib (M Cl). In Anandpur Sahib Municipal Council, Female Sex Ratio is of 905 against state average of 895. Moreover, Child Sex Ratio in Anandpur Sahib is around 932 compared to Punjab state average of 846. Literacy rate of Anandpur Sahib city is 82.44% higher than state average of 75.84%. In Anandpur Sahib, Male literacy is around 85.75% while female literacy rate is 78.78%.

Anandpur Sahib Municipal Council has total administration over 3,270 houses to which it supplies basic amenities like water and sewerage. It is also authorize to build roads within Municipal Council limits and impose taxes on properties coming under its jurisdiction.

Festivals and fairs

Anandpur Sahib comes to life every year on the occasion of Hola Mohalla. This tradition dates back to the times of the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. The guru decreed that the occasion of the festival of Holi be the occasion for the display of the martial spirit of his people. He gave this festival of Holi the Sikh name of 'Hola Mohalla'. Each year Hola Mohalla marks the congregation of up to 100,000 devotees from all over the country for a festival of colour and gaiety.

The fair lasts for three days. The Gurudwaras are specially decorated for the occasion. During Hola Mohalla, Anandpur Sahib wears a festive appearance and hums with activities in March. Community conferences and religious functions are also organized. On this occasion, Nihangs from all over the country gather for the celebrations. The highlight is a huge procession by the Nihangs, clad in their traditional dress and weapons, on the last day of the fair. The procession starts from the headquarters of the Nihangs, opposite Gurudwara Anandgarh Sahib, and passes through the bazaar, goes to village Agampur and reaches the fort of Holgarh, the place where Guru Gobind Singh used to celebrate this fair. Thereafter, the procession heads toward the sandy bed of Charan Ganga, where demonstration of martial games including riding, tent pegging, sword-wielding, etc. are witnessed by a large number of people.[2]

Baisakhi in 1999, at Anandpur Sahib marked the completion of 300 years of the birth of the Khalsa. It was on Baisakhi day in 1699 that Guru Gobind Singh baptised the Panj Pyaras at the place where Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib stands.

Landmarks

Gurudwara Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib
After the establishment of Anandpur Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh used to hold congregations on this hill. At that time, this hill was 3.0 – 4.50 meters higher than it is now. By the side of this hill there stood another one known as “Tambu Wali Phari” because a special tent was set up on the day of “Revelation of Khalsa”. This hill does not exist anymore.
On the day of “Revelation of Khalsa” a special congregations was held here. Thousands of Sikhs attended it; one can presume how much was the space around Thakat Shri Kesh Garh Sahib from the fact that all the Sikhs must have seated themselves here at the time of congregations on this hill.
Gurudwara Sisganj Sahib
When Guru Gobind Singh left Anandpur Sahib, on the night of December 5~6 1705, he visited this place and appointed Bhai Gurbax Das Udasi as a caretaker of this shrine and began his final journey.
It is believed that central pedestal of the shrine is the oldest structure of Chak Nanki, Anandpur Sahib.
When Guru Gobind Singh called all the “masands” at Anandpur Sahib, they were tried here. By the side of this building, is an old well, from the time of Guru Gobind singh, still exists. The “masands” who had been found guilty were punished here.
On November 2, 1703 when Ajmer Chand, the ruler of Bilaspur attached Anandpur Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh was sitting here under the banyan tree. In the battlefield, the Sikhs under the command of Bhai Maan Singh Nishanchi gave a befitting fight to the hill army. During the battle Bhai Maan Singh was wounded and Khalsa flag was broken. A Sikh soldier reported this to Guru Gobind singh.
At this Guru tore a dumla (farra) (a piece of cloth) from his keski (under turban) and set it in his turban as a hanging flag. Guru declared that in future Khalsa flag shall never fall or get lowered. It will be a part of the turban of every Sikh. Then after this place is reverend as Dumalgarh Sahib.
She was cremated near Quilla Holgarh Sahib. This place is now termed Gurdwara Mata Jit Kaur.
Location of Anandpur Sahib in the map of Rupnagar District

Five forts of Guru Gobind Singh

10th Sikh Guru Guru Gobind Singh made five forts on the border of the city to protect it from the external invasions. The fort is called Qila (Punjabi: ਕ਼ਿਲਾ, Hindi: क़िला) in the Punjabi and Hindi languages.

  • Qila Anandgarh Sahib: This was the main fort, after which the city was also named Anandpur Sahib. The Army once resided here.
  • Qila Holgarh Sahib
  • Qila Lohgarh Sahib: Here the weapons for the Army were made.
  • Qila Fatehgarh Sahib
  • Qila Taragarh Sahib

Sacred sites near Anandpur Sahib

  • Guru-Ka-Lahore: It is situated about 11 km on Sri Anandpur Sahib-Ganguwal route leading to the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. On 25 January 1686, the 10th Guru's wedding to Mata was celebrated here. Two trickling springs, claimed to be dug out from the stony mountain-side by the 10th Guru, still exist today.
  • 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.

Other places

Virasat-e-Khalsa

The world's tallest khanda is installed at Sri Anandpur Sahib at Panj Piara Park with an estimated height of 70 feet.

Religious places

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Census of India 2011: Data from the 2011 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  2. ↑ Festivals/Melas - Rupnagar

Bibliography

External links

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