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Paonta
Sahib
Paonta Sahib, a city sacred to the memory of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, is also a bustling township with growing industries. It retains tangibly memorials to the martial Guru in the form of his weapons and a majestic Gurudwara and recalls his presence even in the name of the city which is derived from "paon" meaning "foot" either because he set foot in this place or according to an alternative story, because he lost an ornament which he wore on his foot called a "paonta" while bathing in the river Yamuna which flows here.
Overlooking the river is the Gurudwara where Guru Gobind Singh held court and wrote the major portion of the "Dassam Granth". The Guru also built the Paonta Fort in over hundred acres of land, which housed not only his followers, but as many as 46 famous poets. Regular poetry reading sessions and symposiums were organized to encourage the sort form. The guru left Paonta Sahib after the battle of Bhangani with Raja Fateh Shah, in which he defeated the errant ruler's army after thirty days of battle.
Paonta Sahib is distinguished by its association with the Sikhs and attracts them by the thousands at the spring festivals of 'Baisakhi' and 'Holi'. There are also two Hindu temples, one dedicated to Lord Rama called Devi Ka Mandir and built by a princess, and the other is sacred to Lord Krishna.
Gurudwaras of Paonta :
Gurudwara Paonta Sahib (200m): This site was Guru Gobind Singh's home for over four years and it was here that he wrote the 'Dasam Granth'. Within its precincts are the 'Sri Talab Asthan', where he disbursed salaries and the 'Sri Dastar Asthan', where he judged the turban-tying competitions. At the Kavi Darbar Asthan, poetic symposia were held. There is also a memorial of 'Kalpi Rishi' and a museum that displays pens of the Guru and weapons of the time.
Gurudwara Bhangani Sahib (23-km): This commemorates Guru Gobind Singh's first battle when he defeated Raja Fateh Shah and his allies.
Gurudwara Tirgarh Sahib (22-km): This Gurudwara is built on the hillock from where Guru Gobind Singh shot arrows at the enemy.
Gurudwara Shergarh Sahib (12-km): At this spot Guru Gobind Singh beheaded a dangerous man-eating tiger with a single swipe of his sword.
Paonta Sahib Tour - 1 nights / 2 days.
Day 1 : Departure from Delhi for Ponta Sahib by Car. Reach Paonta late afternoon, Darshan of
Paonta Sahib..
Day 2 :Tour of local Gurudwaras of Paonta Sahib, drive back to Delhi, reach Delhi late
evening
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