WELCOME TO GURDASPUR
Punjab’s northern-most district, Gurdaspur, is flanked by the Beas and Ravi rivers and has many flavours of both historical and spiritual significance. Antediluvian caves along the Ravi River in ShahpurKandi are said to be associated with the Pandavas, heroes of the Sanskrit epic Mahabharat. It is here that Alexander the Great is believed to have fought one of his many battles, while Akbar the Great was crowned the Mughal emperor in Kalanaur. Dera Baba Nanak, located a few kilometers from the border with Pakistan, is home to the dera of Guru Nanak, while Batala is where he got married to BibiSulakhni. Batala is also home to the Baradari and Palace built by Maharaja Sher Singh, son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh; as it is, to the striking 19th century Chapelunder the administration of the Union Baring Christian College. The tomb of Sher Khan here, said to be a foster brother of Mughal Emperor Akbar, is also a fine example of Mughal architecture of the time. Not far from Batalalies Qadian, the birthplace of the founder of the Ahmediyah community, a 19th century Islamic revival movement. A multi-faith monument called Guru Di Maseet, built by the sixth Guru, is of much interest and lies in the town of Sri Hargobindpur named after him. This town is also associated with Banda Bahadur, a disciple of Guru Gobind Singh and one of the fiercest Sikh warriors. He fought his last battle with Mughal forces at GurdasNangal, a village on the outskirts of Gurdaspur, where a Gurdwarahas been raised in his honour. Another gurdwara and a temple in Achal village draw devotees of all faiths the year round. While the Pindori Dham, a Vaishnavite establishment has been a hermitage and centre of influence for over 300 years. To the northeast of Gurdaspur lies Dinanagar, once the summer capital of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. And at the very northern tip of the district is Pathankot, the gateway to Himalayan foothills.
