| APPROACH
Road :
Paonta
Sahib is easily approachable from Nahan (45 kms.) and there is
regular bus service connecting the places. One can also come from
other route by bus or car/taxi connecting Dehra Dun (45 kms.),
Haridwar (117 kms.) and Shimla (180 kms.).
WHAT TO SEE
GURUDWARA :
Overlooking
the Yamuna river is the Gurudwara where Guru Gobind Singh held court
and wrote the major portion of the Dassam Granth. On the river bank
behind the gurudwara stands the historical temple of Yamuna ji, and
besides it the Ma Yamuna Bal Park which has a huge statue of goddess
Yamuna and busts of Mahatma Gandhi, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru and Dr.
Y.S. Parmar, the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. Next to
the Park, a gorgeous replica of the Sanchi Ashoka Pillar overlooking
the town and the river Yamuna can be seen. On the other side of
Yamuna river is Uttar Pradesh.
OLD TEMPLES :
Other places of
interest around Paonta Sahib are the Patanjali Jyotirlinga Temple,
said to have been worshipped by Maharishi Patanjali, a disciple of
Maharishi Vyas-the author of epic Mahbharat. Shiva temple at
Shivpuri (8 kms.), Bhadarkali temple and Tirgarhi gurudwars at
Bhagani and Gangvaha Tirth across the Yamuna where Gangaji crossed
over the Yamuna bank to please Rishi Gautam, the husband of the
legendary Sati Ahilya. On The Himachal side of the Yamuna Bank near
Gangavaha Tirth is Rampur Ghat, which legend associates with the
crossing of river Yamuna by Lord Ram on a boat.
At Paonta Sahib, to
the right of Yamuna bridge, stands the Dei-Ka-Mandir, constructed
about a century ago by the sister of the then Raja of Sirmaur to
propitiate Lord Ram, the family deity of the Suryavanshi Sirmauri
Rulers.
SAHASTRA DHARA :
At this place there is
a confluence of river Yamuna and Tons. This is a beautiful place and
a paradise for tourists Nearby is village Kalsi, 25 kms. from here,
which was the old capital of Sirmaur. At this place there is an
Ashok Rock Edict which is worth a visit.
KHODRI DAK PATHAR :
It is beautiful picnic
spot just 25 kms. from Paonta. There is a beautiful park, a swimming
pool and a tourist bungalow. At this place the torrential river
Yamuna has been tamed into an artificial lake. While going from
Paonta to Khodri one will be delighted to have the canal side drive.
Chhibran power house is an unique sight to see as the entire
structure has been built underground.
KAFOTA :
Situated at a height
of 1804 meters and 42 kms. from Paonta Sahib on Jagadhari-Markanda
road, is village Kafota which has a salubrious climate and hold
potential for picnic. There is a PWD Rest House for comfortable
stay. 18 kms. from Paonta Sahib is Rajban Cement Factory. A few kms.
from Rajban is Kamrau, the biggest village of Sirmaur district known
for rich lime stone quarries. At this place there is a Tilordhar
Tibetan Colony with its Buddisht monastery, but the most beautiful
one is at Purnwala on way to Bhajain. The Tibetan presence here has
resulted in beautiful Tibetan artifacts especially carpets being
manufactured for marketing.
|