Gurudwaras at Anandpur Sahib

Anandpur Sahib is a city and a municipal council 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. So far as the historical significance of Anandpur Sahib is concerned, it is second only to Amritsar, the city of Golden Temple. Anandpur Sahib was founded in the year 1665 by the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, near the ruins of an ancient place, Makhowal. The Guru purchased the site from the ruler of Bilaspur.

Demographics
As of 2001 India census,Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03. 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
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 upto 100,000 devotees from all over the country for a festival of colour and gaiety.

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 Guru-Ka-Mahal (Bhora Sahib): Residence of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur, the 9th guru, which was inherited by Sri Guru Gobind Singh. The sahibzadas - the holy sons of the 10th Guru were born here. There is an underground room cut off from the din of life where the 9th Guru used to meditate.

• Gurudwara Thara Sahib: The 9th Guru used to deliver sermons from this Gurudwara. There is a marker to indicate the spot where the Kashmiri Brahmins came to seek protection. It was at this spot in 1675 that a delegation of 15 Kashmiri Brahamans led by Pandit Kirpa Ram had come to beseech the 9th Prophet to save them from the tyranny of the Mughals who were forcibly converting them to Islam. It was here that the Prophet had decided to embrace martyrdom to awaken the dead soul of India that of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

• Gurudwara Sheesh-Ganj Sahib: In November of 1675, the head of the martyred 9th Guru which was brought by Bhai Jaita ( Rechristened Bhai wan Singh according to Sikh rites) in defiance of the Mughal authorities was cremated here.

• Akal Bunga: After cremation of the holy head of his father, followed by a prayer to the Almighty, the 10th Guru had rested here with his relations and followers.

• Gurudwara Damdama Sahib: the 10th Guru was given the Guru Gaddi (seat of Sikh religious leadership), here. It was from here that he had declared the end of the institution of the Masands-the priestly agents of the former Gurus.

• Gurudwara Man Sahib: the Sahibzadas received their education and military training at this spot. Military exercises were also rehearsed here.

• Gurudwara Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib: In 1699, on the occasion of the festival of Baisakhi, Guru Nanak's mission was fulfilled by the 10th Guru when, through baptism of the double-edged-sword the Sikh was deemed as the Khalsa-Saint Soldier- in direct commune with the Guru and God. Still more astonishing is the fact that the Guru had got himself baptised by the Panj-Pyaras, the five beloved ones, who had offered him their heads to uphold Dharma - the moral duty and religion.

Sacred sites near Anandpur Sahib

• Guru-Ka-Lahore: (11 Kms from Anandpur Sahib) On 25th January,1686 the 10th Prophet was married to Mata Jito Ji here. Three springs of water which the 10th Prophet had lanced open from huge rocks are still flowing. Sandwiched between Sri Anandpur Sahib and Sri Kiratpur Sahib is CHAMKAUR SAHIB. It was in this area where , having sworn safe passage to the 10th Prophet's family and forces the Mughal and the hill Chiefs had treacherously attacked them. Gurudrawa Katal Garh Sahib commemorates the martyrdom of the two elder Sahibzadas and 37 Singhs who had died fighting here,Gurudrawa Pariwar Vichhora Sahib marks the site where the 10th Prophet's family got scattered. Gurudwaras GARHI SAHIB, TARRI SAHIB, RANJITGARH SAHIB are connected with the dharm yudh that the 10th Prophet had waged against the tyrants.

• Gurudwara Mata To : not far from Holgarh Fort, this Gurudwara was where Mata To was cremated.

• 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.

• Sri Anandpur Sahib is revered as the bastion from where the stoutest defence was put up to maintain liberty from the slavery of the Mughals and allied leaders from the surrounding hills.