Sikh heritage
Anandpur Sahib
Punjab, India
About Anandpur Sahib
Anandpur Sahib, in the Shivalik foothills of Rupnagar district, was founded by Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Here Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the Khalsa on Baisakhi in 1699, at the spot now marked by Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, one of the five Takhts of Sikhism. The Virasat-e-Khalsa museum, designed by architect Moshe Safdie, tells the story of Punjab and the Sikh faith. The town is busiest during Hola Mohalla, the martial festival held the day after Holi.
Highlights
Birthplace of the Khalsa
Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib marks 1699.
Virasat-e-Khalsa
An award-winning museum of Sikh history.
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
October to March; Hola Mohalla (March) for the festival
How to Reach
By road: about 170 km from Pathankot via Hoshiarpur and Una, around 3.5–4 hours. Anandpur Sahib has a railway station; the nearest airport is Chandigarh (≈ 90 km).
Top Attractions
Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib
Town centre
One of the five Takhts, where the Khalsa was founded.
Virasat-e-Khalsa
≈ 1 km
Museum of Sikh and Punjabi heritage by Moshe Safdie.
Qila Anandgarh Sahib
≈ 1 km
One of the forts built by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, now a gurdwara.
Hola Mohalla
Held in March
The annual festival of mock battles, horsemanship and gatka.
Things To Do
Pay respects at Kesgarh Sahib
Spend 2–3 hours at Virasat-e-Khalsa
It is usually closed on Mondays — check before you go.
Suggested Itinerary
- 1
Early morning
Leave Pathankot via Hoshiarpur and Una.
- 2
Late morning
Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and langar.
- 3
Afternoon
Virasat-e-Khalsa and Qila Anandgarh Sahib.
Photo Gallery
Travel Tips
Virasat-e-Khalsa is usually closed on Mondays.
Cover your head in gurdwaras and the Takht.
During Hola Mohalla expect very large crowds and traffic.
