GENESIS

Before the foundation of Anandpur Sahib by Guru Teg Bahadur, this hilly place in the lap of Shivalik Hills was a deserted and dreaded barren land. A legend goes that it was the abode of a Devil Mehkhasur who didn’t allow any inhabitation on this land. According to the Gazette of Hoshiarpur Guru Tegh Bahadur in October 1664 purchased this land by paying Rupees 2200 to the Raja of Kahlur.

He got laid the foundation of the town by his revered mother and named it Chakk Nanaki after her pious name. Since then by Guruji’s blessed touch it became a symbol of honor, freedom, unity and brotherhood not only for the Sikh Community but whole of the Indian Nation and humanity at large:

sw DrqI BeI hrIAwvlI ijQY myrw siqguru bYTw Awie ]
sy jMq Bey hrIAwvly ijnI myrw siqguru dyiKAw jwie ]
Sa Dharati bhaye hariavali, jithai mera Satguru baitha aaye;
Se jant Bhaye hariavaley jinni mera Satgur Dekhia Jaye.
That land, where my True Guru comes and sits, becomes green and fertile.
Those beings who go and behold my True Guru are rejuvenated.(SGGS-310)

By Guru Tegh Bahadur’s initiative and inspiration the Sikh devotees started flocking the place and soon it became a humming community. As per the holy tradition started by the founder Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Kartarpur, the Ninth Master started his daily holy communion (Satsang) here. People from far and near joined the holy congregation, saturated their hungry souls by the glimpses of the True Guru and fertilized their minds by Gurbani Keertan and discourses. Thus A blissful environment was created by, the holy communion between the Beloved Guru and love-seeker Sikhs and devotees. This environment automatically gave forth to the present name Anandpur to this town which means a ‘City of Bliss”.

The practical training of Sangat and Pangat was started at Anandpur. None of the inhabitant of this place prepared their personal kitchen at home. All of them served and ate from the common kitchen,”Guru Ka Langar”. Whosoever Sikh cooked at his home, made his personal kitchen as Guru ka Langar. Thus many Sikhs started serving the visitors with devotion and love. In this manner the devotees were being strung in a garland of brotherhood.
                                                               sBy swJIvwl sdwiein qUM iksY n idsih bwhrw jIau
                                                               Sabhey sanjhivaal sadain(i), Tun kisai na diseh(i) Bahra Jio(u).
                                                               All share in Your Grace,None are beyond you. (SGGS-97)

Since its foundation Anandpur has become a hub of activities and proved an inspirational lighthouse for whole of the Sikh Community.It was here that the budding flower of divine light in the form of the young Gobind Rai received his early education and training under the patronage of his divine father. It was this place where a deputation of Kashmiri pandits waited upon Guru Teg Bahadur in May 1675 to become their shield against the treacherous onslaught of the Mughal rular Aurangzeb. It was here that the 9 years old Gobind Rai unmindful of himself becoming an orphan requested his father to become the shield of the meek and week. It was here in the lap and gap of jungles and valleys that Guru Gobind Singh held the tide of social and religious un-equalities as well as the waves of political suppression and anarchy of hilly Hindu chiefs supported by their mentor the Mughal invaders. And ultimately it was here at the holy place of Keshgarh Sahib that on 30th March 1699 Guru Gobind Singh gave a call of sacrifice for the sake of freedom of faith and worship and founded the Khalsa Panth on the rigid foundations of Universal brotherhood, selfless service and sacrifice for the humanity. And lastly it was here that the divine messenger of Truth himself sacrificed everything personal and social in his struggles for Truth, Justice, Equality and Freedom. He had to leave this cradle of humanity for good. Physically the Guru left the place but his divine spirit (Jagat Jot) was mingled with every particles of the soil, every current of the rivulets, every leaf and flower of the jungles around. Since his physical departure every visitor of Anandpur feels the touch of this divine spirit from the environment around and get inspired to sing his Divine song:

                                                               jwgq joq jpY insbwsr eyk ibnW mn nYk nW AwnY
                                                               Jagat jot Japai Nis basar, Ek Bina Mun Naik Na annai
                                                              He whose mind dwells, night and day, on the ever-effulgent light
                                                              and who gives not a moment’s thought to ought but the One.

LOCATION

This pretty township at a distance of about 20 kms from Ropar about 85 kms northwest of Chandigarh, district Ropar (Rupnagar) Punjab - India, connected both by rail and road. Hot in summer, pleasant in spring and autumn and cold in winter.

Rail:
i) The Delhi-Una Himachal Express is a direct and very convenient train from Delhi to Anandpur Sahib.
ii) Another convenient option is to come from Delhi to Chandigarh by Hawrah-Kalka Mail, Shatabdi Express/Himalayan Queen and then to travel to Anandpur Sahib by road, the distance of 85 kms.
Road:
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.
Accomodation:
At Anandpur Sahib accommodation is available including Kadamba, the Punjab Tourism Development Corporation Resort, situated almost halfway between Chandigarh and Anandpur Sahib. Hotel accommodation at Anandpur Sahib is not ready so far. This town has some private motels and also the Punjab Tourism Development Corporation Resort - Pinkcassia. At Chandigarh, there are plenty of good hotels and guesthouses available at Chandigarh to suit every body's pocket. There are very good Sarais (Inns) available to house visiting pilgrims. However, Kissan Haveli is a good place for overnight stay. It has got 12 luxury suites. For further information you may contact the Punjab Tourism Development Corporation at: Tel. Nos- 0172-781138, 781147, 781179, 781091, 548828 (fax).