Presentation by Sodhi Vikram Singh Anandpur Sahib Heritage Foundation

Anandpur Sahib The Holy City of BlissA Global Destination

Anandpur Sahib - The Holy City of BlissNestled in the picturesque lower reaches of the Himalayas, and bordered by the Sutlej river to its southwest, Anandpur Sahib, is one of the foremost sacred religious sites of the Sikhs. Located just 80 kms from Chandigarh.

Anandpur Sahib - The Holy City of BlissThe ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur founded Anandpur Sahib in 1665 on the land purchased by him from the Dowager Rani Champa of Bilaspur on the site of a tiny hamlet Makhowal. It was at Anandpur Sahib that a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits were to beseech Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib to protect the Hindu Dharma from the forcible conversions of the perverse Mughal ruler of Delhi, Aurangzeb. Prompting the Guru to proceed to Delhi to deter the emperor from his prosecution of the Hindus. On his refusal to convert to Islam the emperor ordered the beheading of the Guru on the site at which the Gurudwara Sisganj Sahib stands today, in old Delhi. Thus leading to the ultimate sacrifice of the Guru in his principled stand to protect freedom of religion.

Anandpur Sahib - The Holy City of Bliss

Anandpur Sahib was home to the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

It was on the day of Baisakhi in the year 1699, that Sri Guru Gobind Singh baptised the Panj Pyaras at the site where Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib stands today. Establishing the Khalsa Panth for the protection of the weak & downtrodden masses of Hindustan

Anandpur Sahib - The Holy City of Bliss

At Anandpur Sahib, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji was to prepare the Khalsa for the struggles in facing the imperial armies of the Mughals.

He was to build Five Kilas or Forts namely Anandgarh, Holgarh, Lohgarh, Taragarh & Fatehgarh from which his small but valiant force of horsemen of the Khalsa were to gallop onto the hills & plains of the Punjab not only to safeguard its territory but to uphold righteousness in every sense.

Anandpur Sahib-The Holy City of Bliss

Fascination for horses has always been an undeniable aspect of the Sikh persona. Love for the horse & horsemanship are an integral part of the folklore of the Punjab. The Sikh Gurus promoted this love for the horse into the psyche of the Sikh Martial traditions.

Anandpur Sahib-The Holy City of Bliss 1699-1999In the year 1999, on Baishakhi day, the birth of the Khalsa was celebrated with much fanfare on completion of 300 years of the Khalsa Panth at Anandpur Sahib.

Anandpur Sahib-The Holy City of Bliss

Anandpur Sahib is home to a number of historic Gurudwaras associated with the lives of the 9th & 10Th Gurus of the Sikhs. Pilgrims & visitors from all over the world pay homage at these historic Gurudwaras.

Anandpur Sahib-The Holy City of BlissPilgrims & visitors are mesmerised by the spiritual atmosphere of Anandpur Sahib. Gurbani & Shabad Kirtan pervades the entire town with a spiritual glow. At Holla Mohalla all night divans are observed with traditional Thadi Jathas singing ballads of the heroic deeds of Martyrs of the Sikh faith who gave countless sacrifices to ensure the freedoms that we take for granted today.

Anandpur Sahib-The Holy City of Bliss

This historic town of Anandpur Sahib, deeply associated with the religious traditions and history of the Sikhs, is situated in Ropar district of Punjab.

Virasat-e-Khalsa

The Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex popularly known as Virasat-e-Khalsa, is a landmark modern structure that has been built in Anandpur Sahib. The Museum that took 13 years to build has placed Anandpur Sahib on the world map and subsequently been recognised internationally.

Virasat-e-Khalsa

This Museum of international standards, designed by renowned Israeli architect Moshe Safdie was inaugurated on November 25, 2011 and opened to the public on November 27, 2011.

Virasat-e-Khalsa

The events that led to the birth of Sikhism and finally the Khalsa Panth are highlighted here.

The festival of Holla Mohalla is celebrated to coincide with the festival of Holi. As many as 1 million pilgrims & visitors from all over the Punjab start converging on the holy towns of Kiratpur Sahib & Anandpur Sahib from a week before Holi. Maximum attendance at Anandpur Sahib is observed from 2 days before Holi, to the day after Holi when the Mohalla or traditional sports day of the Nihang Dals is celebrated.

Holla Mohalla - Anandpur Sahib

Proud Nihang Horsemen on beautifully decorated horses get ready to display their skills at the Charan Ganga stadium at Anandpur Sahib

Holla Mohalla

The Mohalla celebrations kick off with martial arts displays as traditional Nihang warriors treat visitors & pilgrims to impromptu exhibitions of individual prowess with weapons of old, keeping alive a skill that would not have survived, but for the patronage that it enjoys from the Sikh masses.

Holla Mohalla

At the Holla Mohalla fair one can observe at close quarters the tradition of ‘Langar’ or the community kitchen . Different sikh congregations vie with each other to attract pilgrims & visitors to their langars. All are welcome irrespective of caste, creed, religion or station in life. This tradition of sharing ones bounty with strangers is integral to Sikh philosophy, enduring traditions & hospitality.

Holla Mohalla

Holla Mohalla

Guru Gobind Singh Ji chose the Holi festival in 1701 as an appropriate occasion to test the military preparedness of the emerging Khalsa Panth and named this festival as 'Holla Mohalla‘.

Holla Mohalla

Holla Mohalla has grown into a huge fair and attracts people from all over the country and the world to participate in this festival of colour & spirituality at Anandpur Sahib.

At the Holla Mohalla celebrations visitors can observe a variety of unusual scenes such as a Nihang Baba or Chieftain watching the martial arts displays. A Nihang warrior being photographed against a painted backdrop of his beloved guru.Nihang Warriors showcase their traditional skill in the art of Archery etc.

Holla Mohalla

Nihang horsemen in full gallop showcase their tent pegging & equestrian skills.

Mission of the Anandpur Sahib Heritage Foundation

To promote Anandpur Sahib as a global destination by focusing on its history & heritage and generate opportunities for economic development and growth.

Some Objectives of the Anandpur Sahib Heritage Foundation

1. To develop tourism related facilities & infrastructure. 2. To build museums that preserve & present our heritage. 3. Setting up assisted living facilities for the old & aging. 4. To promote cultural activities 5. Setting up sports academies especially horsemanship & martial arts.

Pushkar is a small town in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan. One of the oldest existing cities of India, it stands on the shore of Pushkar Lake. The name Pushkar in Sanskrit means blue lotus flower.

The Pushkar fair is held on Kartik Poornima-the full moon in the month of October–November as per Hindu calendar. According to legend, on this day God Brahma sprung up the Pushkar Lake, which makes it a religious centre also and so numerous people take a dip in the sacred waters of the lake.

The annual Pushkar Fair, or Pushkar ka Mela, is one of the world's largest five-day camel and livestock fairs, which has grown into a major tourist attraction.

Other local highlights are competitions such as the camel race, "matka phod", "longest moustache", “bridal competition". Unique events like camel & horse dances are also held during the mela. All the above draw thousands of tourists to the banks of the Pushkar Lake where the fair takes place.

Anandpur, which literally means the ‘City of Bliss’ is situated on one of the lower spurs of the Shivalik Hills of the mighty Himalayas in Ropar District of Punjab, Anandpur stands on the banks of River Sutlej

Anandpur was founded in 1665 by the 9th Sikh Guru- Shri Guru Teg Bahadur on Land purchased from the Dowager Rani Champa of Bilaspur. It was later the home of the 10 th Guru Shri Guru Gobind Singh. It was at Anandpur that Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa and chose the Panj Piare (Five beloved ones) on Baisakhi day in the year 1699.

It is therefore one of the supremely important historical and religious centers of the Sikhs and it has since been reverently called Anandpur Sahib

Holla Mohalla or Holla takes place on the first of the lunar month of Chet, which usually falls in March during Holi, the festival of colours which marks the season of spring.

The Guru made Holla Mohalla an occasion for the Khalsa to Showcase their Martial skills in preparedness to fight the Tyranny of the Mughal Empire.

The first Holla Mohalla at Anandpur was held on 22 February, 1701 in an open ground near Holgarh, a Fort across the rivulet Charan Ganga, northwest of Anandpur Sahib.

Pushkar Anandpur Sahib

Holla Mohalla the next Pushkar

Camel safari, Village safari, Theme dinner at sand dunes, Ballooning, visits to Fort and palaces such as to Man Mahal, Pushkar: Man Mahal and temples in Pushkar are other attractions during the mela

Pushkar is said to have over 500 temples (80 are large and the rest are small).

Pushkar has the only Brahma temple in the world

A large artificial lake Anna Sagar is also situated close to Pushkar

Out of 52 ghats used by pilgrims to take a holy bath in the lake, ten important ghats on the periphery of the lake, which have other contiguous ghats adjoining them, have also been declared as 'Monuments of National Importance'.

The nearest airport from Pushkar is Sanganer Airport at Jaipur. It is well connected with all the major cities in India. Pushkar is also well-connected by road and rail to other parts of the state and outside.

Lacs of Sikhs from across the country and abroad descend on the small town during the Holla Mohalla

The Nihang Singhs are the descendents of Guru Gobind Singh's army, and are known for their martial skills. At the Mohalla, they display their skill at tent-pegging, sword wielding, jousting and other war-like sports. Their proficiency at horseback-riding and archery also attracts huge crowds to witness these daredevil acts.

The event concludes with a long, military-style procession near Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, one of the five seats of temporal authority of the Sikhs

Langars – community kitchens are functional and people can have their meals in any of the many langars at Anandpur Sahib free of cost during the festival.

A masterpiece of rich Sikh culture and religious history, the Virasat-e-Khalsa Museum, is one of Punjab’s most diverse and exciting urban centers that has put Anandpur Sahib on the global map.

There are many places of tourist interest close to Anandpur Sahib such as Kiratpur Sahib about 10 km away, which is associated with most of the Sikh Gurus like Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Hargobind etc. The significance of this place for Sikhs is like ‘Haridwar’ for Hindus.

Pushkar Anandpur Sahib

Holla Mohalla the next Pushkar

Other places of tourist attraction close to Pushkar are Ajmer, Jaipur, Ranthambor, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Udaipur, Bharatpur. Mount Abu, Jaisalmer and Delhi

Bhavai, Chari, Jhoomar are folk dances of the region, which are performed during the Pushkar fair. Puppet shows, tales of gallantry sung by the bards and the poets enchant the audiences with the vibrant folk traditions of the region

Pushkar is an ‘only-vegetarian’ foods town. It has many outlets for traditional sweets and savouries

Guru ka Lahore known for the wedding of 10th Guru Gobind Singh with Mata Jito Ji is about 10kms away.

The famous shrine of Naina Devi, where legend has it the Sage Vashistha Meditated & preformed the posterities & the Maharishi Balmiki is reported to have composed the great epic Ramayana. Considered as one of the fifty-one Shakti Peeths is situated about 12 kms away on a hill top in Bilaspur District of Himachal Pradesh.

Bhakra Nangal dam which is Asia's second highest dam and world's highest straight gravity concrete dam is 35 kms away. The Gobind Sagar (lake) which is the reservoir offers boating excursion in pristine water.

Ropar a small town 40kms away is famous for its museum

that houses the findings of Archeological Survey of India (ASI) and the historic Ropar town which is reported to be one of the oldest towns with a very advanced civilization similar to the 'Harappa and Mohenjodaro' Indus Valley Civilization and having traces of six civilizations.

Amritsar where the Golden temple is situated, princely states such as Patiala, Kapurthala, Nabha & Nalagarh etc. are within easy driving distance.

Pushkar Anandpur Sahib

Holla Mohalla the next Pushkar

Also other Tourist centers such as Dharamshala – Home to the Dalai Lama, Pragpur- a heritage Village, Taragarh Palace, Kullu & Manali, Shimla etc. are easily accessible by road and rail. Some cities are also connected with domestic airports ie: Gaggal for Dharamshala, Bunter for Kullu & Manali, Amritsar, Shimla & Chandigarh each have there own airport in close proximity to Anandpur Sahib

The man made Maharana Pratap Sagar (Lake) is situated about 83 km. away from Anandpur Sahib. Is a big sanctuary for a variety of migratory birds including Ducks from Siberia It helps to maintain the water level and to channelize the flow of River Beas by the Beas-Sutlej link which was accomplished in 1976.

In October and November, when the water level of the reservoir is high, a series of regattas are also organised by the Tourism and Civil Aviation department. Water-skiing, sailing, kayaking and water scooter racing are popular water sports activities during this period. Ferry rides and water sports like speed boating too are other water sport here.

As the River Sutlej flows through Anandpur Sahib, the place also provides various options for developing water related adventure tourism

Eco-tourism, hiking, nature walks can also be developed here

The tented camps will offer accommodation & cuisine to cater to International clientele. Folk dances such Bangra, Gidda, Folk Music will entertain the visitors.

Pushkar Anandpur Sahib

The Anandpur Sahib Heritage Foundation in association with“Gallery Dravidam”, a Bangalore based art gallery held an exhibition of the works of two renowned South Indian artists-Suresh Muthukulam (Painter), Cop Shiva (Photographer).This exhibition, held at the India Habitat Center, New Delhi, from 21-24 Feb, 2014 was inaugurated by Shimati Gursharan Kaur, wife of former Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, showcased the universal appeal of the Punjabi Sikh festival of Holla Mohalla at Anandpur Sahib as seen through the eyes of 2 South Indian artists.

Holla Mohalla Exhibition – An Enduring Celebration -I

The exhibition, a curtain raiser for the events being planned at the Holla Mohalla at Anandpur Sahib was widely attended & extensively covered by the media. The resultant press coverage has created wider awareness for the heritage & history of the holy town of Anandpur Sahib.

Holla Mohalla Exhibition – An Enduring Celebration -I

The Anandpur Sahib Heritage Foundation organised the first ever art exhibition at the world class exhibition hall of Virasat e Khalsa. This exhibition ’Holla Mohalla’ – An Enduring Celebration-II was held from 03-20 July 2014. This display was visited by over 100,000 people & was inaugurated by Shri Sohan Singh Thandal Minister of Tourism & Culture, Govt. of Punjab.

Holla Mohalla Exhibition – An Enduring Celebration - II

During the inauguration programme for the exhibition, a rendition of Sufi music by Barkat Ali Khan of the Patiala Gharana was organised by the Anandpur Sahib Heritage Foundation at the Virasat e Khalsa auditorium followed by Hi Tea for the invited public of Anandpur Sahib.

Holla Mohalla Exhibition – An Enduring Celebration – II

S.Suresh Kumar, popularly known as artist Suresh Muthukulam, was born in 1971 in a Central Travancore hamlet Muthukulam in the Alappuzha district of Kerala.Suresh Muthukulam is trained in the traditional mural style of painting and in recent years has expressed contemporary themes using traditional motifs. Suresh Muthukulam is head of murals department at Vastu Vidya Gurukulam, Aranmula, under the State Government of Kerala. Suresh’s work has been widely exhibited & well received in India & overseas On the invitation of the Anandpur Sahib Heritage Foundation in March 2013 Suresh Muthukulam has interpreted Holla Mohalla at Anandpur Sahib in his distinctive artistic style, presenting a unique sensibility that transcends cultures & boundaries.

Holla Mohalla – An Enduring Celebration

Shivaraju BS, alias Cop Shiva, a farmer who became a Police Constable turned Photographer is a Bangalore based photographer. Cop Shiva is interested in documenting life around and represent the spirit of our times. Exhibitions “ARTiculate 2011”, Pratham UK & Saffronart, Round House, London, UK. “In search of Gandhi”, curated by Suresh Jayaram, show as part of Sethusamudram-Indo + Sri Lanka project, 2011 at Red dot Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka.“Behind the scene” curated by Surekha at 1Shanthiroad studio/gallery,2010 “Body/Politics” curated by Suresh Jayaram at 1 Shanthiroad studio/gallery, Dec 2010. Current projects: Documenting urban spaces- an archival project that focuses on Bangalore city and changing identities.On the invitation of the Anandpur Sahib Heritage Foundation in March 2013, Cop Shiva has interpreted the Holla Mohalla festival in Anandpur Sahib through his unique artistic sensibilities.

Holla Mohalla – An Enduring Celebration

Glen Cove Gurudwara, Long Island, New York, USA – 10 August 2014 from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm The exhibition of Holla Mohalla – An Enduring Celebration III was shown at the Hall of the Gurudwara premises & visited by the Sangat in large numbers

Holla Mohalla Exhibition– An Enduring Celebration III

San Jose Gurudwara, San Francisco, California, USA – 17 August 2014 from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm The exhibition of paintings & photographs of Holla Mohalla – An Enduring Celebration III was shown at the Hall of the Gurudwara premises & visited by the Sangat in large numbers

Holla Mohalla Exhibition – An Enduring Celebration III

The Nehru Centre, London, United Kingdom – 04 September 2014 from 4.00 – 6.00 pm. A panel discussion on ‘Relevance of Anandpur Sahib’ was held at the Nehru Centre at which the speakers included Sodhi Vikram Singh – Anandpur Sahib Heritage Foundation, Gurinder Singh Mann – Sikh Scholar UK, Ms Astrid Harrison – Photographer UK, Ms Nabanita Sarkar – Media Personality UK- Moderator

The Relevance of Anandpur Sahib - A Panel Discussion

The inaugural ‘Sodhi Kishan Singh Memorial Polo Cup’ was organised from 17-20 March 2014 by Sodhi Vikram Singh of Anandpur Sahib, himself a polo player of international repute having played polo all over the world including the UK, USA, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Malta, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Barbados, Hawaii etc.

Polo at Anandpur Sahib

The ‘Sodhi Kishan Singh Memorial Polo Cup’ was played over 4 days during the Holla Mohalla celebration & drew large crowds of the horse loving public of rural Punjab.

Polo at Anandpur Sahib

The Arena Polo Tournament organised by the Anandpur Sahib Heritage Foundation during the Holla Mohalla celebrations added to the festivities & held the large crowds captivated by the display of daring horsemanship. The 3 teams of Anandpur Sahib, Jaipur & Delhi clashed for the Silver Trophy of the ‘Sodhi Kishan Singh Memorial Polo Cup’. The Tournament was closely contested with the Anandpur Polo Team led by Sodhi Vikram Singh emerging victorious in the dying seconds of the Final match played on 17 March 2014.

Polo at Anandpur Sahib

Sodhi Vikram Singh of Anandpur Sahib in collaboration with Aagman India Camps organised a Luxury Tented Camp during Holla Mohalla 2014. The Camp was the first attempt at providing modern conveniences & comfortable accommodation during Holla Mohalla in Anandpur Sahib. Set amidst natural surroundings at the foothills of the Himalayas

Accommodation in Anandpur Sahib – Holla Mohalla

The Luxury Tented Camp was fully booked & well received by the public. The camp location allowed easy walking access to the Mela & was set up adjoining the fast flowing Bhakra Nangal canal, below the picturesque hills of Naina Devi. Guests were entertained by Folk artists, singing ballads in praise of the Gurus & Martyrs of the Sikh faith. The experience of Holla Mohalla was ‘a once in a lifetime experience,’ in the words of a guest…

Accommodation in Anandpur Sahib – Holla Mohalla

For the 2015 Holla Mohalla celebrations, Sodhi Vikram Singh of Anandpur Sahib has also invited His Highness the Maharaja of Jodhpur Gaj Singh II to set up the Royal Jodhpur Luxury Tented Camps in Anandpur Sahib. The Luxury Tented Camp will have modern conveniences similar to Luxury Tents installed by the Maharaja at the camel fairs in Pushkar & at other locations all over India.

Royal Jodhpur Camps at Holla Mohalla

Conceptual Look for the Royal Jodhpur Style Luxury Tented Accommodation at the Holla Mohalla Festival at Anandpur Sahib from 2-7 March 2015

Royal Jodhpur Camps at Holla Mohalla

Harmony Magazine May 2014

India Today Travel Plus Magazine June 2014

India Today Travel Plus Magazine June 2014

Outlook Magazine April 2014

Outlook Magazine April 2014

The Anandpur Sahib Heritage Foundation proposes to commission documentary films created out of images and clippings from archives of Anandpur Sahib and its related festivals and fairs to be shown at events in India & overseas.

Place of Tourist Interest in proximity of Anandpur Sahib

The famous shrine of Naina Devi, where legend has it the Sage Vashistha Meditated & preformed the posterities & the Maharishi Balmiki is reported to have composed the great epic Ramayana. Considered as one of the fifty-one Shakti Peeths is situated about 12 kms from Anandpur Sahib on a hill top in Bilaspur District of Himachal Pradesh.

Naina Devi

There are many places of tourist interest close to Anandpur Sahib such as Kiratpur Sahib about 10 km away, which is associated with most of the Sikh Gurus like Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Hargobind etc. The significance of this place for Sikhs is like 'Haridwar' for Hindus.Kiratpur Sahib

Guru ka Lahore known for the wedding of 10th Guru Gobind Singh with Mata Jito is about 10kms away from Anandpur Sahib.

Guru Ka Lahore

Gurudwara Bhabour Sahib is situated on a picturesque hilltop overlooking the Satluj river reservoir in Nangal City of Ropar Distt. It was here that Guru Gobind Singh came at the invitation of Raja Rattan Rai, staying for several months & composed the "Chaupai Sahib" Paath while sitting on the banks of river Satluj.This was amongst the happiest times of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s life when he had time to enjoy hunting and writing poetry in praise of God. Distance from Anandpur Sahib is about 24 Kms

Gurudwara Bhabour Sahib

Bhakra Nangal dam which is Asia's second highest dam and world's highest straight gravity concrete dam.. The majestic 741 ft (226 m) high dam is constructed across river Sutlej, The Gobind Sagar (lake) which is the reservoir offers boating excursion in pristine water. Distance is approx 35 kms from Anandpur Sahib

Bhakra Nangal

The Golden temple is situated in Amritsar. Other places of tourist interest are Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Ram Bagh Gardens, Kothe Da Mela, Durgiana Temple, Jallianwalan Bagh etc. Princely states such as Patiala, Kapurthala & Nabha etc. are within easy driving distance. The distance between Anandpur Sahib and Amritsar is three- hour drive of approx 180 kms.

Amritsar

The High snow clad Dhauladhar ranges form a magnificent backdrop to the hill resort of Dharamsala. This is the principal township of Kangra district. With dense pine and deodar forests, numerous streams, cool healthy air, attractive surroundings and the nearby snowline, Dharamsala has everything for a perfect holiday. The headquarters of His Holiness the Dalai Lama are at Mcleodsganj in upper Dharamsala. Distance from Anandpur Sahib is about 162 Kms.

Dharamshala

This once summer capital of the British is now the seat of administration of the Himachal Pradesh state government. Dotted with many temples and palaces, Shimla is also known for its buildings styled in Tudor Ethan and neo-Gothic architecture from the colonial era.Owing to its scenic terrain, the legendary mountain biking race MTB Himalaya, which began in 2005 is held in Shimla. Some other places of interest are The Mall, Christ Church, Jakhu Hill, Shimla State Museum, Summer Hill, Annandale, Tara Devi, Mashobra, Kufri, Naldehra, Chail, Tattapani etc. Shimla is about 127 kms from Anandpur Sahib

Simla

According to legend, the seventh incarnation Manu's ark came to rest on a hill side and the place was named Manali (2050 m) after him. Manali arose as a place of breath - taking natural beauty after the great deluge - Pralaya and life began here once again.

High snow-capped mountains, deep gorges, thick forests, fields of wild flowers, small picturesque hamlets and fruit laden orchards make Manali a great holiday destination. Manali is about 249 kms from Anandpur Sahib

Manali

Contact us at: Anandpur Sahib Heritage Foundation, Anandpur House, W-10A/15 Western Avenue, Sainik Farms, New Delhi 110062, INDIA

at Anandpur Sahib:Kila Havelli Neelhi Sarkar, Main Bazaar, Anandpur Sahib, Distt. Ropar, Punjab, INDIA

Email: info@anandpursahibfoundation.comWebsite: www.anandpursahibfoundation.com

Anandpur Sahib Heritage Foundation