Anandpur Sahib-the holy City of Bliss-is one of the most important sacred places of the Sikhs and is closely linked with their religious traditions and history. It is located on the lower spurs of the Himalayas surrounded by picturesque natural scenery, with the river Satluj forming a shimmering and shiny blue border on the south west barely four miles away. So far as the historical significance of Anandpur Sahib is concerned, it is second only to Amritsar, the city of Golden Temple. Anandpur Sahib was founded in the year 1664 by the ninth Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji, near the ruins of an ancient place, Makhowal. The Guru purchased the site from the ruler of Bilaspur.

The Takht Sahib proper is a square hall with a balcony in front overlooking a spacious courtyard on a lower level. In the middle of the inner domed room are placed some weapons preserved as sacred relics. The space being limited on the top of the hill, the sarovar is on the plain ground west of the Takht Sahib. A large spacious pavilion is also around for larger congregation. Although the town is small but on the occassion of Hola Mohalla every year in the month of March it booms into boisterous activities and recaptures its old glory andsplendor.

Other Places Of Pilgrimage Importance

• Gurudwara Guru-Ka-Mahal (Bhora Sahib)
  Residence of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur inherited by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji; the sahibzadas- the holy sons of the 10th Guru were born here. There is an underground room cut off from the din of life where the 9th Guru used to meditate.
• Gurudwara Thara Sahib
  The 9th Guru used to deliver sermons from this raised platform. There is place to mark the spot where the Kashmiri Brahmins came to seek protection.
• Gurudwara Sis-Ganj Sahib
  In November, 1675, the martyred head of the 9th Guru which was heroically brought by Bhai Jaita ( Bhai Jiwan Singh after taking holy nectar according to Sikh rites (baptism) in exultant defiance of the Mughal authorities was cremated here, ceremoniously.
• Akal Bunga
  After cremation of the holy head of his father, followed by a prayer to the Almighty, the 10th Guru had rested here with his relations and followers.
• Gurudwara Damdama Sahib
  The 10th Guru was given the Guru Gaddi, here. It was from here that he had declared the end of the institution of the Masands-the priestly agents of the former Gurus.
• Gurudwara Manji Sahib
  The Sahibzadas received their education and military training at this spot. Military exercises were also rehearsed here.
• Gurudwara Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib
  In 1699, on the occasion of the festival of Baisakhi, Guru Nanak's mission was fulfilled by the 10th Guru, Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, when, through baptism of the double-edged-sword the Sikh was consummated as the Khalsa-Saint Soldier- in direct commune with the Guru and God. Still more astonishing is the fact that the Guru had got himself baptised by the Panj-Pyaras, the five beloved ones, who had offered him their heads to uphold Dharma - the righteous cause.