The Raja of Simaur Medini Prakash in the end of 17th century invited Guru Gobind Singh to come to Himachal Pradesh. The dismounting of Guru from the back of his horse is a place where The Gurudwara of Paonta Sahib stands today. Guru fought his first battle and crushed a military of twenty thousand skilled soldiers at Bhangini, 14km away from Paonta Sahib. Guru ji had fired numerous arrows aiming enemy from a spot of Bhangani where Tirgadhi Sahib is situated now. The nearby Gurudwara  Shergarh Sahib is the testimony of cutting the man-eater tiger’s head by Guru ji.

Rewalsar in Mandi district was also visited by Guru Gobind Singh in 1738AD for a month. Raja of Mandi Joginder Singh in 1930 built a Gurudwara here in honor of that event. Manikaran in HP witnessed the visit of Nanak Dev ji, the first Guru, and a Gurudwara of historical importance is there in his honor.

Himachal Pradesh, a state of India, has plenty of religious and natural bounties. Meadows, Forests, glaciers, the life giving rivers etc. along with religious places are the souls of Himachal Pradesh. The people of India and world over visit Himachal Pradesh to feel divinity and to witness the natural scenic beauties. Himachal Pradesh has ancient Hindu temples, Churches, Buddhist Monasteries and Gurudwaras also.

Paonta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh is a chief Sikh pilgrimage center. The Gurudwara constructed in the memory of Guru Gobind Singh’s stay for 4.5 years and Bhangani war which was won by 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh when He was only 16 years old.

Sikh Pilgrimage in Himachal Pradesh

Paonta Sahib

The most important pilgrimage center of Sikhs is at Paonta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh. The Gurudwara is situated on River Yamuna’s bank in Sirmaur district. The original name of Paonta Sahib was paontika and has rich linkage with the 10th Guru and Banda Bahadur, an important Sikh leader. Legend is that the horse of Guru Gobind Singh stopped on its own at this place then Guru ji decided to stop and stay here. Guru wrote here many religious books for Sikhs and further proceeded to Anandpur Sahib for the formation of Khalsa Panth. The Gurudwara here has a museum in which antiques related to Guru and his weapons used during his stay and Bhangini war are well kept. Holy Granth Sahib, in the month of March, is brought out with honor and in procession amid festivity.

Rewalsar

Gurudwara Rewalsar, an esteemed place for Sikh pilgrimage and reverence, is situated in the periphery of Rewalsar Lake. Legend is that visiting this place brings in tranquility and purity in believers lives.

The Gurudwara and its festivals and fairs are attended by the believers of Sikh faith from India and abroad. The faithful travels from remote and faraway places to seek the blessings of waheguru, the scared Guru.

Manikaran

Kullu district of Hiimachal Pradesh has a historical Gurudwara at Manikaran which is related to the visit of first Sikh Guru Nanak Dev ji. Manikaran is a beautiful place situated in Parvati valley in between the rivers of Parvati and Beas. The Gurudwara of Manikaran was constructed in the honor of visit of the first Guru.

Bhai Bala Janam Sakhi by Giani Gyan Singh mentions that Guru Nanak Dev ji with his pupil Bhai Mardana reached the temple of Jawalamukhi after preaching and visiting the places like Gurudaspur, Triloknath, Kalanaur, Kangra and Palampur. After the visit to Devi shrine, Guru ji then travelled towards Mandi and reached Bijili Mahadev. Guru Nanak Dev then reached Manikaran after preaching at different places on the way.