Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful hill state in North India. The state is known for its picturesque landscapes, snow-capped mountains, and rich cultural heritage. The people of the state follow diverse religious beliefs majority being Hindus. Another major religion followed in the state is Sikhism, and there are several Gurudwaras located in different parts of the state. In this article, we will discuss some of the famous Gurudwara in Himachal Pradesh.
Paonta Sahib
Located in the Sirmaur district, Paonta Sahib is a popular pilgrimage for the Sikhs. Paonta Sahib used to be a small town and is today a busy city. The Gurudwara Paonta Sahib is located in the middle of the city and is one of the most popular Gurudwaras in Himachal Pradesh. It is believed that Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, spent some time here and wrote several verses of the Dasam Granth, the holy scripture of the Sikh religion. The Gurudwara is known for its beautiful location, serene surroundings and calm atmosphere.
Paonta Sahib to Dehradun
The distance from Paonta Sahib to Dehradun is about 53 km and it takes 1.30 hours to cover the distance by road. Yamuna River divides Paonta Sahib (Himachal Pradesh) and Dak Paththar (Uttrakhand). The district headquarter of Sirmour District is Nahan which is about 42 km from Paonta Sahib
Paonta Sahib Weather
The weather in Paonta Sahib remains pleasant throughout the year except during summer when the temperatures cross 40 degrees and it is quite hot here.
Manikaran Sahib
Located in the Parvati Valley, Manikaran is a popular tourist destination as well as a pilgrimage site. The famous Gurudwara Manikaran Sahib which is a popular pilgrimage site for Sikhs is located here. It is believed that Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, visited this place and performed several miracles while there. Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara is famous for its hot springs and langar, which serve delicious food (called prasad) to devotees and visitors alike. A dip in the hot sulfur water is highly recommended.
Read More about Gurudwara Manikaran Sahib
Manali to Manikaran Distance
Manali and Kullu are famous tourist places located nearby. Manali to Manikaran distance is about 80 km. Manali to Kullu is 40 km and from there to Bhuntar is another 15 km. From Bhuntar you turn left and follow the source of the Parvati River for 35 km and will reach Manikaran situated on the banks of the Parvati River.
Manikaran Weather
Manikaran weather can be divided into winter, summer, and rainy seasons. From November to March, the weather can be an extremely cold season with Manikaran temperature dropping down to – 8°C. Next comes the summer season from Apr to June when the temperature varies from 6°C to 15°C. During this time the weather is pleasant but the nights may be chilly.
Woolens during Winter
Wollens are highly recommended both during the winter and summer seasons. Then comes the rainy season from July to September. There might be landslides during this season. So please check the weather forecast before coming to Manikaran.
Gurudwara Guru Ka Lahore
The Guru’s Lahore was built in Bassi village in district Bilaspur of Himachal Pradesh. This majestic Gurudwara Guru Ka Lahore is located 12 km from Anandpur Sahib in the state of Punjab. When Guru Gobind Singh was to be married, it was the wish of the bride’s father resident of Lahore Shri Harijs that Guru Gobind Singh should reach Lahore with his marriage procession. However, Guru ji had started some important work in Sri Anandpur Sahib and it was not possible for him to leave all this and go to Lahore. Lahore was instead created here for the sake of marriage. It was here that he was married to Mata Jeeto Ji.
Jod mela at Guru Ka Lahore
This is the reason that every year on the day of Basant Panchami, a Jod Mela is held in Guru’s Lahore to celebrate the marriage ceremony of Guru Sahib. This ritual is performed on the day of Basant Panchami and thousands of people from the Sikh community participate in the procession of Guru Gobind Singh which takes place from Anandpur Sahib to Guru Ka Lahore.
Gurudwara Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Gurdwara Guru Gobind Singh Ji is situated in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. Gur Govind SinghJi, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs came to visit the Mandi area at the invitation of the King of Mandi Raja Sidh Sen. He stayed there for a little over six months. His tents were set up on the bank of the nearby River Beas, while Raja’s family accommodated the Mata ji’s in the Palace.
Relics of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
The Gurdwara hosts some very important historical relics like the personal belongings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji including a rabab (musical instrument), a bed, a gun presented to them by the Raja of Mandi, and other items. Guru Gobind Singh ji was an excellent marksman and was an expert with both a musket and a bow and arrow.
The Gurdwara complex includes a dispensary and langar hall. The Gurudwara is located on the Mandi Kullu Highway, about half a km from the HRTC bus stand.
Gurudwara in Una
There are many Gurudwaras in Una Himachal Pradesh. Some of these are Gurudwara Una Sahib, Gurudwara Nanak Sar, Gurudwara Shaheed Singhan Ji, Gurudwara Dukhbhanjan Sahib, Gurudwara Baba Teg Singh Ji, and many others. No detailed information is however available.
Una
Una is a town as well as a district in Himachal Pradesh. Una is a small and beautiful town and the district is also famous for Mata Chintpurni temple, Dera Baba Barbhag Singh, Dera Baba Rudru, Joggi Panga, Dharamshala Mahanta, Dhunsar Mahadev Temple Talmehra and Shivbari Temple.
Gurudwara Baru Sahib Solan
The Gurudwara Baru Sahib Solan has a rich history that dates back to the 16th century. It was here that the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, stayed for some time during his travels across the country. The Gurudwara is built on the same site where the Guru rested, and it is believed that the place has been sanctified by his holy presence. Over the years, the Gurudwara has undergone several renovations and expansions, and today, it stands as a symbol of the Sikh faith’s resilience and strength. Baru Sahib is also known as the Valley of Divine Peace and it is believed that Sant Attar Singh Ji, Mastuane Wale (1866–1927), meditated here.
Distance from Chandigarh
Gurudwara Baru Sahib Solan is well-connected by road and can be reached by bus, taxi, or car. The nearest airport is in Chandigarh, which is around 70 kilometers away from the Gurudwara.
Gurudwara Nanakwari Sahib
Gurudwara Nanakwari Sahib was built in 1930 to commemorate the visit of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, to Solan. Legend has it that Guru Nanak Dev Ji had stayed at this very spot during his journey to Tibet. The gurudwara was later renovated and expanded in 1962 and again in 2010 to accommodate the growing number of visitors.
Guru Gobind Singh Association
The gurudwara’s location is also believed to be where Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh guru, had camped during his journey to Paonta Sahib. The gurudwara thus holds immense spiritual significance for the Sikh community.
Gurudwara Nanakwari Sahib is not only a religious site but also a tourist attraction due to its serene surroundings. The Gurudwara is surrounded by lush green hills, and the tranquil atmosphere is perfect for meditation and introspection. The gurudwara also has a sarovar or a holy water tank, which is believed to have medicinal properties. Devotees take a dip in the Sarovar to seek blessings and healing.
Gurudwara Dasvin Patashahi
Gurudwara Dasvin Patashahi is located in the town of Nadaun in Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh. The Gurudwara also known as Khalsa Patashahi is situated on the bank of River Beas and is a prominent place of worship. In this sacred place, Guru Gobind Singh fought a pitched battle that came to be known as “the Battle of Nadaun”, in support of Raja Bhim Chand of Kahlur and some other hill chiefs in opposition to Mughal general Alif Khan. The Mughals had been sent by their Governor of Jammu Miari Khan, to gather taxes for Aurangzeb’s Darbar from the hill Rajas in 1687. The funds were needed by Aurangzeb’s Army to fight the Marathas in the Deccan.
The famous battle was fought on March 20th, 1691. Alif Khan was defeated and forced to move back leaving his camp and its store of weapons with ammunition and other valuables behind. After the battle was over, Guru Gobind Singh stayed in a monument for 8 days in Nadaun. Later Maharaja Ranjit Singh built a Gurudwara on the spot where the Guru had pitched his tent. The gurudwara is also known as Gurudwara Nadaun Sahib. The present Gurdwara Dasvin Patshahi replaced the previous Gurdwara, built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Nadaun is only 55 km from Una, the nearest town on the Una Kangra highway. Nadaun Kangra is only 47 km and Dharamsala is 64 km only.
Conclusion
Himachal Pradesh has several Gurudwaras that hold historical and religious significance for Sikhs. These Gurudwaras are not only important pilgrimage sites but also popular tourist attractions due to their beautiful architecture and serene surroundings. If you are planning a trip to Himachal Pradesh, do not forget to visit these top 10 Gurudwaras to experience the rich cultural heritage of the state.