History of Gurdwara Sri Paonta Sahib – A Sanctified Shrine

History of Gurdwara Sri Paonta Sahib (Himachal Pradesh, India)

This is a sanctified shrine situated on the bank of Yamuna where Kalgidhar Guru Gobind Singh chose a site for founding a new town after having returned from the state of Nahan. The guru held his first camp here (14th April Year 1685) for his stay. Subsequently, he got constructed a fort like strong building amidst this natural and captivating site. It was here that he laid the foundation of Paonta Sahib and named it as such. The guru arranged a building for holding Diwans in front of his residence where Asa-Di-Var was daily recited and kirtan held. The ideology of the Guru was also discussed by means of Katha and discussion. The Guru himself imparted spiritual knowledge to the sangat for a period of 4.5 years. This place came to be known as Gurdwara Harmandir Sahib. It was here that the weapons of Guru Gobind Singh and his other articles were secured which disappeared afterwords but some of them still exist there. This is a birth place of Sahib Baba Ajit Singh and Hola-Mohla festival is celebrated here with great pleasure.

Kavi Darbar Asthan

This place called Kavi Darbar Asthan is situated just behind the Gurdwara Harmandir Sahib near a steep hill on the bank of the river Yamuna and is quite visible from the opposite hill. This place immoratalizes the poetic darbar of Guru Gobind Singh with his fifty two court poets. It is a wide plain on a steep hill where Guru Gobind Singh himself composed Gurbani. His work namely Jap Sahib, Sawayyas Patshahi Dasvin, and Chandi-Di-Var were composed at this very place. The guru also got translated here the old literature and other literary writings into simple lanuguage.

गुरुद्वारा श्री पौंटा साहिब का इतिहास

यह यमुना के तट पर स्थित एक पवित्र तीर्थस्थल है जहाँ कलगीधर गुरु गोबिंद सिंह ने नाहन राज्य से लौटने के बाद एक नए शहर की स्थापना के लिए एक स्थान चुना था। गुरु ने अपने प्रवास के लिए अपना पहला शिविर यहीं (14 अप्रैल वर्ष 1685) लगाया था। इसके बाद उन्होंने इस प्राकृतिक और मनोरम स्थल के बीच एक किले जैसी मजबूत इमारत का निर्माण करवाया। यहीं पर उन्होंने पांवटा साहिब की नींव रखी और इसे यह नाम दिया। गुरु ने अपने निवास के सामने दीवान रखने के लिए एक भवन की व्यवस्था की जहाँ प्रतिदिन आसा-दी-वार का पाठ और कीर्तन होता था। कथा और परिचर्चा के माध्यम से गुरु की विचारधारा पर भी चर्चा की गई। गुरु ने स्वयं 4.5 वर्ष की अवधि तक संगत को आध्यात्मिक ज्ञान प्रदान किया। इस स्थान को गुरुद्वारा हरमंदिर साहिब के नाम से जाना जाने लगा। यहीं पर गुरु गोबिंद सिंह के हथियार और उनके अन्य सामान सुरक्षित थे जो बाद में गायब हो गए लेकिन उनमें से कुछ अभी भी वहां मौजूद हैं। यह साहिब बाबा अजीत सिंह की जन्मस्थली है और यहां होला-मोहला त्योहार बड़ी खुशी से मनाया जाता है।

कवि दरबार आस्थान

कवि दरबार अस्थान नामक यह स्थान गुरुद्वारा हरमंदिर साहिब के ठीक पीछे यमुना नदी के तट पर एक खड़ी पहाड़ी के पास स्थित है और विपरीत पहाड़ी से काफी दिखाई देता है। यह स्थान गुरु गोबिंद सिंह के बावन दरबारी कवियों के साथ उनके काव्य दरबार को अमर बनाता है। यह एक खड़ी पहाड़ी पर एक विस्तृत मैदान है जहाँ गुरु गोबिंद सिंह ने स्वयं गुरबानी की रचना की थी। उनकी रचनाएँ अर्थात् जाप साहिब, सवैय्य पातशाही दसवीं और चंडी-दी-वार की रचना इसी स्थान पर की गई थी। गुरु ने यहां पुराने साहित्य और अन्य साहित्यिक रचनाओं का सरल भाषा में अनुवाद भी करवाया।

Ruch Mahadev (near Kalimath) – Also Known as उत्तर/अर्ध गया

Uttar Gaya Ruch Mahadev near Kalimath in Uttarakhand, India

Ruch Mahadev is at the confluence of two rivers approx. 15 km from Guptkashi and 5 km from Kalimath. We parked the Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorbike on-road and started walking downhill via the well-made cemented path which might be one km in length. The more we reach close to the river Saraswati more the nature around beautiful. Beautiful waterfall and an iron bridge to cross. We at the same time saw the damage that occurred in 2013 because of the flash flood. A tractor trolley and a machine that cleared debris were there within rubbles. A temple structure was partially damaged and a makeshift wooden bridge crossed the Saraswati River to reach Ruch Mahadev. A little upward walk towards Maa Kotimaheshwari temple.

Nobody was inside the temple nor at Ruch Mahadev. We were only two and the lush green nature around. There are a few Rudraksha trees near the temple. We offer prayers and spend some time there. While returning, we had talks with Vinod Rawat – a villager.

He said – before the 2013 flash flood there was a rudraksha tree and a Dhuni nearby Ruch Mahadev but now it is not. He also said – Ruch Mahadev is also known as Ardh Gaya and its importance is as similar to Gaya in Bihar.

Then I remember why it is written on the board – Uttar Gaya. Maybe Ruch Mahadev is Gaya of North.

Thank you very much, Vinod. And we towards Gupkashi via Kaviltha > Kalimath having good memories with us.

Mahakavi Kalidas Lived in Kaviltha Village in Uttarakhand

Kaviltha Village nearby Kalimath Temple in Uttarakhand

Kaviltha village is approx. 13 km from Guptkashi town and 3 km from Kalimath. During the visit to the village, we had talks with Vinod Rawat. Upon query he enhanced our knowledge as follows:

It is said and believed Mahakavi Kalidas lived and some say born in Kaviltha village. Each year Mahakavi (great poet) Kalidas Mela (fair) is held at Kaviltha village from 15 to 17 June on the occasion of Mahakavi Kalidas’s birthday but past two years since the 2013 flash flood, the fair is not organized.

Kedar Peak is visible from the village and from the road. The road further goes to ‘Ruch Mahadev‘.

Thank you Vinod Ji for sharing your knowledge. And we walk towards the village entrance gate.