Himachal Pradesh is the abode of gods. Nowhere on earth will you find so many sacred places gathered in one place, be it temples, monasteries, Gurudwaras or mosques. The presence of numerous religious places engulfs the place with serene calm and peacefulness that you will hardly find anywhere else. This is what makes this state special and one of the must visits destinations that you should not leave out. Come here for a holiday or a pilgrimage, you trip will never go unfulfilled for it will fill your mind and senses with lots of peace and calm. Among the many pilgrimages found out here, the small peaceful town of Poanta sahib is an important pilgrimage for the Sikhs. It is a small town located in the Sirmour district. Besides being a religious town, it is also a major industrial area with industries of many products located out here like cement, pharmaceuticals, textiles, foods, chemicals etc. A Poanta sahib tour is a very enriching experience for this town will absorb you in is serenity and charm.
The city gets its name from the main Gurudwara located out here which is called Gurudwara Poanta sahib. It is located along the banks of River Yamuna which flows through the state and is considered a highly religious city by the Sikhs. Legend has it that the horse of Guru Gobind Singh, who was the tenth guru of the Sikhs suddenly stopped and stayed here, refusing to move. Thus this place was considered sacred by the Sikhs who later built a Gurudwara here to immortalize it. This is also the same place where Guru Gobind Singh stayed for many years and wrote many Sikh books. The Gurudwara also has a museum which houses many items significant to the Sikh faith. The name of this town is derived from the word ‘Paonta’ which means feet. Every year thousands of Sikhs make a trip to this holy place to offer their prayers to their revered guru, whose teachings they abide by faithfully in their life. Other places of interest in and around this town that you can visit while on a Poanta sahib tour are Kafota, Renuka via Sataun, Nahan and Yamunanagar.
This beautiful city can be reached by rail, road or airways. The nearest railway station is at Dehra Dun, about 45 kms away and the nearest airport is at Jolly Grant, about 70 kms away. It is very well connected by a strong network of roads and national highways to cities like Shimla, Dehra Dun, Chandigarh, Delhi etc. Buses and taxis are easily available for transportation between these places. Hotels are available in plenty for comfortable and affordable stay. Summers are hot and winters are relatively cold, hence it would be best to visit this place during the winter months for maximum comfort. In summers the temperatures can go as high as 44 degree Celsius, thus winters are best for a Poanta sahib tour. But no matter whatever time of the year you come here, you will experience the same joy and spirituality.
