Paonta Sahib Gurudwara on Dehradun-Himachal border

Paonta Sahib Gurudwara is a revered Sikh shrine nestled in the Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh. It is in proximity to Dehradun and can be reached easily by taking a private vehicle or shared taxi.

Therefore, many tourists and wander bees from Dehradun, and nearby cities throng here to drink the nectar of spirituality.

Address	Court Road, Paonta Sahib, Himachal Pradesh 173025, India
City	Sirmour
State	Himachal Pradesh
Established	Year 1685
Entry Fee	No Entry Fee
Timings	4:30 am- 9:30 pm
Visit duration	30 minutes to 1 hour
Nearest Railway Station	Dehradun Railway Station (45 kms)
Nearest Airport	Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun (72 km)

What’s special about Paonta Sahib Gurudwara:

Paonta means a ‘space’ or ‘place for a foothold’. The complex features small buildings housed inside, and a museum for you to explore.

You can also visit the Sahibzada Baba Ajit Singh Library and Museum at Paonta Sahib. The foundation of this gurudwara was laid by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

The holy Yamuna river flows astride the Gurudwara Paonta Sahib and spell bounds the devotees with its hypnotic quietude and vitality. Hence, this spiritual place of worship has become a center of attraction for many.

Inside the Gurudwara:

The Gurudwara Paonta Sahib was built in the memory of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth guru of the Sikh. There is a palanquin or “palki” kept inside the gurudwara, which is donated by the devotees.

The gurudwara complex is spread over three acres of land, which includes: The Darbar Sahib (main sanctum), the Guru ka Langar which serves free meals to thousands of visitors every day.

Shri Talab Asthan and Shri Dastar Asthan are places of importance housed inside the gurudwara. Shri Talab Asthan is one of the vital places amongst the two, which is used for disbursing salaries.

While Shri Dastar Asthan is used for organizing turban tying competitions. Then there’s Kavi Darbar Asthan where the literary work was done

Apart from this, there is a museum where the weapons of Guruji are displayed, which is quite popular among visitors.

Things to do at and around the Gurudwara:

Gurudwara Paonta Sahib is open to devotees belonging to all sects, and has been a major stop for people travelling to and fro from Dehradun to Himachal. There is a free flowing positive wave of energy that greets you, as you enter inside the Gurudwara.

You can pay obeisance to Shri Guru Granth Sahib, which is kept on a high pedestal in the hall.
The Gurudwara has been well maintained and even has a separate area to sit and chill. From there you can admire the sacred Yamuna river dazzling the denizens with its beauty.
Since the place commands spectacular views of Doon Valley and nearby hills. You can become a shutterbug, and seize its beauty in the eye of your camera.
You can eat the prasada or langar, which is a community feast. The Gurudwara makes sure nobody leaves with an empty stomach.
If you are an avid shopper, then you must check out the boutiques located at the entrance of the gurudwara, that sell souvenirs carrying the essence of Sikh religion.

Tourist Places to Visit near Paonta Sahib:

Good news for all the backpackers visiting Paonta Sahib, as there are a plethora of places that you can visit here. So let’s check out some of the tourist attractions near Paonta Sahib, which are:

Assan Lake, a beautiful spot for bird watching located about 4 km from Paonta Sahib.
Khodra Dak Pathar, a popular tourist destination and a picnic spot about 25 km away from Paonta.
You can relish fruits and jams at Dhaula Kuan. It is about 20 km away from Nahan. Dhaula Kuan is known for its lush green orchards of citrus fruits and juicy mangoes. There is a factory outlet at this place, which sells freshly packed juices, jams, pickles and canned fruits that attract ready buyers.
Sirmauri Tal flanked on the southern bank of the Giri river is a famous attraction around 16 km from Paonta, which is visited by many.
Literati’s must check out the Kavi Darbar which is a poetry hosting venue located near the gurudwara.
Yamuna Temple is another important place of worship, which is a temple dedicated to Ma Yamuna. It is in the vicinity of the gurudwara compound, and is visited my many devotees.
Other famous gurudwara to visit near Paonta Sahib are Gurudwara Shergarh Sahib and Gurudwara Bhangani Sahib.

About the architecture of the Gurudwara:

The Paonta Sahib Gurudwara has a medieval type architecture. The pristine white building of the shrine attracts the attention of many devotees, who bow their heads in front of its celestial beauty.

The current structure was constructed by Baba Kapur Singh in 1823.

In its initial years, the shrine was located in the middle of the dense thickets, where Guru Gobind Singh Ji hunted, trained his warriors, and wrote his spiritual awakenings.

Inside the Gurudwara, one can see a big darbar where the Guru used to sit with his 52 versatile poets.

Religious Importance of Gurudwara Paonta Sahib:

The holy Paonta Sahib Gurudwara is believed to be the place where the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji meditated for four consecutive years.

It is also said that this is the place where Guru Gobind Singh Ji compiled a major portion of the “Dasam Granth” or the “Book of the Tenth Emperor”, a scripture of Sikhism. After which he left for Anandpur Sahib to create the Khalsa Panth.

There are many legends associated with this place. One such famous local legend suggests that the raging river water of Yamuna made a lot of noise, which hindered Guru Gobind Ji’s meditation. Disturbed by its loud gurgling, the Guru ordered it to remain calm. As a result of this, a stream of river Yamuna which flows near the Gurudwara is gentle and calm.

Things to remember while visiting Paonta Sahib Gurudwara

Here are some of the advice or travel tips that you must know while visiting Paonta Sahib:

Since it is a Sikh pilgrim place, you must respect the sentiments of the followers and devotees. Don’t make loud noise or try to take pictures inside the gurudwara.
Cover your head with a scarf or any other cloth that is enough to wrap around your head.
Since the devotees are requested to enter bare feet inside the gurudwara. You can deposit your shoes at the Shoe House located outside the gurudwara.

Food and Accomodation at Gurudwara Paonta Sahib:

The Gurudwara serves hot meals every day at its very own “Langar Hall”. If you wish to stay overnight, then you can take refuge in the spacious and airy rooms of the gurudwara, which offers a peaceful sleep.

How to reach Paonta Sahib Gurudwara:

The Paonta Sahib Gurudwara nestled in the city of Sirmour is located at a distance of 45 km from Dehradun. This famous Sikh shrine is located on the boundary of Himachal Pradesh and Dehradun.

The gurudwara is situated near the townships of Nahan in Himachal Pradesh, Yamunagar in Haryana, Saharanpur in Western Uttar Pradesh and Dehradun in Uttarakhand.

By Air:

Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport at 76 km away is the nearest airport from Paonta Sahib.

By Train:

Dehradun railway station at 47 km is the nearest railhead from Paonta Sahib.

By Road:

The nearest cities connected by road with Paonta Sahib are Dehradun at approximately 45 km, and Chandigarh at 180 km away.