Duration : | Optional | Places Covered : | On Demand |
Khodri Dak Patthar
It is beautiful picnic spot just 25 Km from Paonta Sahib. 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. The canal-side drive from Paonta to Khodri is a pleasure. Chhibran power house is a unique sight to see as the entire structure has been built underground.
Sahastra Dhara
This is the confluence of river Yamuna and Tons. This is a beautiful place and a paradise for tourists. Village Kalsi, 25 Km from here, is the erstwhile capital of Sirmour. Ashoka Rock Edict here is worth a visit.
Ancient 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 Mahabharat. Also of interest is Shiva temple at Shivpuri about 8 Km from Paonta Sahib; Bhadarkali temple and the Sikh shrine of Tirgarhi at Bhagani; and the Gangvaha Tirth across the Yamuna where, as per a legend, river Ganga crossed over the Yamuna bank to please Rishi Gautam, the husband of the legendary 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 ruler of Sirmour to propitiate Lord Ram, the family deity of the Suryavanshi Sirmouri rulers.
Paonta Sahib Gurudwara
Overlooking the Yamuna River is the Sikh shrine of Paonta Sahib. This is built at the place where the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh held court and wrote the major portion of the Dassam Granth. On the river bank behind the shrine 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, there is gorgeous replica of the Ashoka Pillar at Sanchi overlooking the town and a view of River Yamuna. On the other side of Yamuna river is Uttar Pradesh.
Dhaula Kuan
On the road to Paonta Sahib 20 Km from Nahan, this is worthwhile stop which prides itself with a sprawling orchard of citrus plants and mangoes, and a fruit processing factory manufacturing various kinds of juices, jams, pickles and canned fruits. A little away from Dhaula Kuan is Kastasan Devi temple where Raja Jagat Singh defeated the advancing army of Rulam Quadir Rohilla in a great battle. Their victory is commemorated in the Devi Temple, built in gratitude by the Raja. Dhaula Kuan also has a research station of HP Agricultural University where useful research on tropical fruits is carried out.