Gurdwara Sri Paonta Sahib
The Abode of Divine Poetry, Kavi Darbar, and Yamuna River
Gurdwara Sri Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh, is situated along the serene banks of the Yamuna River where the tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, resided for four transformative years (1685–1689). Here, the Guru held magnificent poetic assemblies (Kavi Darbar) with 52 court poets and composed major sections of the Dasam Granth.
The Sanctuary of Sacred Literature and Courage
In 1685 CE, at the invitation of Raja Medini Prakash of Sirmaur, the youthful Guru Gobind Singh Ji arrived at the tranquil river bend in the Sivalik foothills, establishing a fortified spiritual encampment known as Paonta (Place of Setting Foot).
During his four-year residence, Paonta blossomed into the intellectual and poetic capital of the Sikh tradition. Here, saint-soldiers were trained in archery and equestrian combat during the day, while evening assemblies sparkled with literary recitations praising the One Creator and cultivating indomitable spiritual fearlessness (Bir Ras).
Key Sacred Shrines of the Paonta Sahib Complex
The Silent Waters of the Yamuna
Devotional tradition recalls that the roaring torrents of the Yamuna river quieted upon the Guru's gentle prayer so that the poets in the Kavi Darbar could recite their verses without distraction. To this day, the Yamuna glides past the gurdwara walls with deep, hushed serenity.
Sacred Bani of Dasam Patshah
The immortal martial-spiritual prayer from the Jaap Sahib composed at Paonta Sahib:
Namastam Akale
Namastam Kripale
Namastam Arupe
Namastam Anupe।
Salutations to the Timeless One,
Salutations to the All-Compassionate,
Salutations to the Formless Supreme,
Salutations to the Incomparable Divine.
ඔබ දැන සිටියාද?
52 Court Poets
Guru Gobind Singh Ji patronized 52 scholar-poets at Paonta Sahib, commissioning translations of ancient epics and Sanskrit philosophical classics into accessible vernacular languages.
Composition of Jaap Sahib
The revered daily morning prayer Jaap Sahib, all 199 verses, and the foundational verses of Akal Ustat were composed by the Guru on the Yamuna river terrace at Paonta.
Battle of Bhangani (1688)
At age 22, Guru Gobind Singh fought and won his first defensive battle at nearby Bhangani against a coalition of neighboring hill rulers.
Museum of Historical Weapons
The gurdwara houses a rare historical museum displaying the original gold-inlaid swords, shields, and handwritten manuscripts of the Guru and his warriors.
The Silent Yamuna
Devotional tradition recalls that the roaring Yamuna quieted upon the Guru's gentle prayer so the Kavi Darbar's poets could recite without distraction, and the river still glides past unusually hushed today.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji
සික් ධර්මය වෙතින් තවත්
සම්බන්ධිත ඉගැන්වීම්
එකම ඉගැන්වීම, විවිධ සම්ප්රදායන් හරහා ප්රතිධ්වනිත වේ