Gurudwara Takht Shri Kesargarh Sahib

Gurudwara Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib is the most important shrine at the Anandpur Sahib. This divine place is the birth place of Khalsa as epiphany of Khalsa took place here. The central sanctum here is one of the five seats (Five Takhts) of Sikhism. It is situated on the Rupnagar- Nangal road and a cobbled path need to be walked up in order to reach this shrine built on the hillock. After climbing some steps one comes across the Darshani Deorhi then at the end of a large open hall one finds the steps leading to the central shrine.

History

On March 30th, 1699, a huge number of Sikhs gathered at Anandpur Sahib as instructed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. After praying, Guru Ji stood up with hi 'Khanda', a double edged sword, and asked if anyone was ready to give his blood for his upheld sword. The gathered Sikhs were terrified, but when Guru Ji called for the third time, Daya Ram, a Khatri from Lahore volunteered. Guru Ji took him inside a tent and returned with blood-covered sword and asked for another volunteer. This call was answered by DharamDass, a Jat from Delhi. Same things were repeated and three more Sikhs, Mukham Chand, HimmatRai and Sahib Chand laid down their heads in the service of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Thereafter Guru Ji went inside the tent and came out with the five Sikhs dressed in new clothes and affirmed to the crowd that five goats were slaughtered in the tent. He then baptized them with the Amrit (immortality potion) that he had stirred with his sword and proclaimed them as his 'Five Beloved Sikhs' (Panj Payaras) and bowed down before them for baptism and take him into the Khalsa Brotherhood.

Architecture

The Gurudwara Takht Sri Kesargarh Sahib is a square hall that has a balcony in front that overlooks a large courtyard on the lower level. In a room in the central shrine, twelve weapons used by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in the battle are preserved as holy relics. There is a sarovar on the plain ground to the west of the Takht Sahib Gurudwara as there is limited place atop the hill.

Celebrations

Every year Anandpur Sahib comes alive on the occasion of HolaMohalla. This tradition is followed from the times of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He decided to enhance the celebration of Holi, the festival of colours, with the addition of martial spirit display by his followers and gave it a more gallant name 'Hola Mohalla'. This small town relives its old glory and grandeur during this festival.

Visitors Info

Weather and Time to Visit

Rupnagar district is characterized by dry climate. Summers are hot touching 45D.C and winters cold with temperature falling down to 4D.C. The best time to visit is in the month of October and November. The festival 'hola Mohalla' which attracts a huge number of devotees falls in the month of March.

How to Reach

By Air

The nearest airport is situated in Chandigarh around 50 km from the city. This is a domestic airport and is well connected with nearby major cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur.

By Rail

The Rupnagar railway station has a good rail connectivity with nearby cities like Delhi, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh.

By Road

Bus travel is preferred to reach Rupnagar from nearby cities as the Government buses run efficiently.

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