Anandpur Sahib torpidly sprawls in the foothills of the Shivalik range. The green of the indigenous kikar provides a painterly contrast to the white structures and the almost-always clear blue skies. In between this mosaic, the Sutlej River meanders through, en route her long journey to reunite with the great Indus.
It was here, over 300 years ago, when Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru of the Sikhs, founded the Khalsa brotherhood. Ever since, the town has been an important pilgrimage site for the community, with Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib-one of the five temporal seats of the Sikhs-and over 40 gurudwaras drawing the faithful. On festivals, especially Holla Mohalla (March) and Vaisakhi (April), when the turnout is colossal, its labyrinthine lanes become a riot of colour and exuberance fills the air. It's a quiet, bucolic town offering unchartered trails for hiking, over 150 bird calls to identify, a non-touristy farm life to experience, voluntary service at langar, indulgence in simple pleasures of picnicking by the crystal-clear waters of the canals.
With thanks : India Today : LINK : for detailed news story
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