Anandpur Sahib
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Anandpur Sahib
| Anandpur Sahib | |
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| Coordinates | 31°14′N 76°30′E / 31.23°N 76.50°ECoordinates: 31°14′N 76°30′E / 31.23°N 76.50°E |
| Country | India |
| State | Punjab |
| District(s) | Rupnagar |
| MLA | Sant Ajeet Singh |
| MP | Ravneet Singh |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Website | www.CityAnandpursahib.com |
Anandpur Sahib (Punjabi: ਅਨੰਦਪੁਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) is a city in Rupnagar district in the state of Punjab, India. Known as "the holy City of Bliss," it is a holy city of the Sikhs and is one of their 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 shimmering and shiny blue border on the south west barely four miles away.
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History
Anandpur Sahib was founded in the year 1665 by the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, near the ruins of an ancient place, Makhowal. On May 13, 1665, Guru Tegh Bahadur went to Bilaspur to attend the mourning for Raja Dip Chand of Bilaspur State. The Dowager Rani Champa of Bilaspur offered to give the Guru a piece of land in her state. The land consisted of the villages of Lodhipur, Mianpur and Sahota. Here on the mound of Makhowal, Guru Tegh Bahadur raised a new habitation. The ground was broken on 19 June 1665, by Baba Gurditta Ji. 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 2001[update] India census,[1] 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.
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, Sri 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 and 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.
Thousands of devotees from various parts of the country throng to Anandpur Sahib to participate in the fair which 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 the month of March every year. Community conferences and religious functions are also organized. On this occasion, Nihangs from all over the country gather for the celebrations of the Hola Mohalla. The highlight of the festival 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 passing through the bazar 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 Sri Guru Gobind Singh baptised the Panj Pyaras at the place where Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib stands.
Landmarks
- Gurudwara Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib: Thakat Shri Kesh Garh Sahib is the central place of Shri Anandpur Sahib. This reverend place is birth place of Khalsa ~ Revelation of Khalsa took place here. The sactum centorium is is one of the Five Temporal Authorities (Five Takhats) of Sikhism.
After the establishment of Shri Anadpur Sahib, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji used to hold congregations on this hill. At that time, this hill was 3.0 ~ 4.50 mtr higher that the present height. By the side of this hill there stood another hill 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: Shri Guru Teg Bhadur Sahib Ji embraced martyrdom in Delhi on November 11, 1465. Guru Sahib’s Head was brought here from Gurudwara Bibangarh, Shri Kiratpur Sahib by Bhai Jaita Ji ( Bhai Jeewan Singh Ji ) and his associates. This is the place where the “Head of Shri Guru Teg Bhadur Sahib Ji” was cremated
When Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji jeft Shri Anandpur Sahib, on the night of December 05~ 06 1705, he visited this place and appointed Bhai Gurbax Das Udasi as a caretaker ot this shrine and began his final journey.
It is believed that central pedestal of the shrine is the oldest structure of Cahk Nanki ~ Anandpur Sahib.
- Gurdwara Guru Ka Mahal: It was the first building of Chak Nanaki ~ Anandpur Sahib. The foundation stone of Chak Nanaki was laid here. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Mata Gujri Ji, Mata Jit Kaur, Mata Sundar Kaur, Mata Sahib Kaur and Four Sahibzada’s of Guru Sahibs had been living here. Sahibzada Jujhar Singh Ji, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji & Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji were born here. Gurdwara Bhora Sahib, Gurdwara Manji Sahib & Gurdwara Damdama Sahib are part of Gurdwara Guru Ka Mahal Complex.
- Gurudwara Bhora Sahib: This Gurdwara was the residence of Shri Guru Teg Bhadur Sahib, There is an underground room cut off from the din of life where the 9th Guru used to meditate and compose hymns.
- Gurudwara Thara Sahib: This was a part of Gur ka Mahal Complex. It was “Diwan – E – Aam”. It is here Shri Guru Teg Bhadur Sahib Ji used to hold congregations and address the Sikhs. It was here Bhai Kripa Ram Dutt along with other 16 Kashmiri Pandits (on May 25, 1675) came to seek protection from Aurangzeb and requested Shri Guru Teg Bhadur Sahib to save them from forcible conversions to Islam
- Gurudwara Akal Bunga Sahib: This Gurdwara is situated exactly opposite to “Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib”. Here, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji after the cremation of “Head of Shri Guru Teg Bhadur Sahib Ji” had rested with his relations and followers followed by a prayer to the Almighty, addressed the Sikhs to bow before the “Will of Almighty”. He told the Sikhs to be prepared for struggle for freedom of faith & war against the tyranny and injustice.
- Gurudwara Damdama Sahib: This is also the part of Gurdwara Gur Ka Mahal Complex. It is known also Known As Gurdwara Takhat Sahib, Shi Guru Teg Bhadur shib Ji used to perform the functions of Shri Akal Takhat Sahib from this place. It was “Diwan – E – Khas”. It was also court of Shri Guru Teg Bhadur Sahib and lately Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It was here Guru Sahib used to greet representatives of different states as well as other important guests. Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji was designated as tenth guru at this place.
When Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji called all the “masands” at Shri Anandpur Sahib,they were tried here. By the side of this building, is an old well, from the time of Shri Guru Gobind singh Ji, still exists. The “masands” who had been found guilty were punished here.
- Gurudwara Manji Sahib / Gurudwara Dumalgarh Sahib: This Gurdwara is on the northern side of Takhat Shri Kesh Garh Sahib. Here, Guru Gobind Singh Ji used to train his sons. This place was also used as play ground. Wrestliong and Other Competitions were also held here.
On November 02, 1703 when Ajmer Chand, the ruler of Bilaspur attached Srhi Anandpur Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh Ji 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 Ji was wounded and Khalsa Flag was broken. A Sikh soldier reprted this to Guru Gobind singh Sahib Ji. At this Guru Sahib tore a “FARRA / DUMALA” ( a piece of cloth )from his “KESKI ~ UNDER TURBAN” and set it in his turban as a hanging flag. Guru Sahib declared tha in future Khalsa Flag shall never fall or get lowered. It will be a part of the turban of every Sikh. After this place is reverend as “ Dumalgarh Sahib”.
- Gurdwara Shaeedhi Bagh: This Gurdwara is located on the road between Takhat Shri Kesh Garh Sahib & Kila Anand Garh Sahib. In early days of eighteen century this place was a big garden during skirmishes between Sikh Army and Bilaspur Army, many Sikh Soldiers laied their lives here inhtis garden hence this place is termed as Gurdwara Shaeedhi Bagh.
- Gurdwara Mata Jit Kaur: Mata Jit Kaur Ji, First wife of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji had a vision “Divya Drishti” of the atrocities and cruelties on Sikhs and young Sahibzada’s. He asked for the salvation form Guru Sahib and left for heavenly adobe on December 05, 1700.
She was cremated near Quilla Holgarh Sahib. This place is now termed as “Gurdwara Mata Jit Kaur Ji”
Five Forts of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
10th Sikh Guru Guru Gobind Singh Ji 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
- Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex
- Sri Dasmesh Academy
See also
References
- ^ "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 2008-11-01.
- ^ Festivals/Melas - Rupnagar
Bibliography
Dilgeer, Dr Harjinder Singh (1998), Anandpur Sahib (Punjabi and Hindi), S.G.P.C.
Dilgeer, Dr Harjinder Singh (2003), Anandpur Sahib (English and Punjabi), Sikh University Press.
Dilgeer, Dr Harjinder Singh (2008), SIKH TWAREEKH (5 volumes), Sikh University Press.
External links
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