Sikh  Pilgrimage sites in Himachal Pradesh :

Sikh Pilgrimage Tourism at Himachal Pradesh are the sites that are replete with the essence of Sikkhism and is enamoured by an aura of spiritual overtones. The Sikhs came to the Shivalik Hills, in Himachal Pradesh in 1695, at the invitation of the ruler of Sirmaur, to help him fight the Mughals. Guru Gobind Singh with his army settled in Paonta Sahib in the foothills. During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, at the end of the 18th century, many of the western hill states also came under Sikh sovereignty. 

Paonta Sahib :

Paonta Sahib is the main centre of Sikh pilgrimage in Himachal. The gurdwara picturesquely located on the banks of the River Yamuna in district Sirmour, is venerated due to its association with Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru. In March, an important fair is held and the holy Granth Sahib is taken out in procession. 

Manikaran Rewalsar :

Manikaran Rewalsar is the gurdwara at Rewalsar, near Mandi, is located on the periphery of a lake sacred to both the Hindus and Buddhists as well. Manikaran is the serene location and the seemingly mysterious hot springs made Manikaran (Kullu) a place of pilgrimage in earlier times. Guru Nanak, the first Guru of the Sikhs, visited this place to spend time in meditation. A gurdwara that was built to commemorate his visit is now a place of pilgrimage for the Sikhs.

Gurudwara Dasvin Patshahi (Nadaun) :

Nadaun is in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Here a holy shrine stands in memory of Guru Gobind Singh who fought a pitched battle, the Battle of Nadaun, in support of Raja Bhim Chand of Kahlur and some other hill chiefs against the Mughal general Alif Khan.

The Mughal General had been sent by Miari Khan, Governor of Jammu, to collect arrears of tribute to Aurangzeb's Darbar, from the hill Rajas in 1687. The funds were sorely needed to maintain Aurangzeb's 'war of attrition' against the Marathas and the cunning Sivaji in the Deccan which had all but emptied the once overflowing treasure chests of the Mughal Empire.

The battle was fought on 20th March 1691. Alif Khan was routed, forced into retreating in the river's bed, leaving his camp and its store of weapons and ammunition and other valuable contents behind. The Guru had asked his Sikhs to bring weapons and horses. Now the training program, in fighting, that the great Guru had begun was having the Mughals contributing as well.

After the battle the Guru stayed for 8 days in Nadaun, camping on the bank of the river Beas. The memorial shrine west of the town on the bank of the River is called Gurdwara Dasvin Patshahi. The Gurdwara replaced an earlier Gurdwara, ordered built by the Lion of the Panjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Gurdwara Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Mandi :

Gurdwara Guru Gobind Singh Ji is situated in the town of Mandi. The Dasvin Patshah came to visit the area on the invitaionof Mandi's ruler Raja Sidh Sen. Guru Gobind Singh stayed here for a little over six months. His tents were set up on the bank of the nearby River Beas, while the Raja's family accomodated the Mata ji's in the Palace.

The Inner place is maintained by the Rulers family. When Guru Sahib was about to leave Mandi, Raja Sidh Sen asked him who would protect Mandi after his departure, who will save us from Aurangzeb's cruelty. The Raja asked his question just as the Guru aimed his banddukh at a clay pitcher floating down the river. The Guru's musket ball pierced the pitcher adding one more hole than its maker, some unknown potter, had given it, but even with that extra hole it continued to float down stream.

Gurudwara Bhangani Sahib :

Surrounding the Gurdwara are fields of lush green crops with a sense of peace and normality which belies the violent past, One looks around the tranquil setting are imagines Guru Gobind Singh seated on his stallion commanding his Sikhs to their first battle at Bhangani, and what a glorious battle it was with Guru Ji and his Sikhs, although heavily outnumbered, came through victorious. Guru Ji returned to Paonta Sahib and distributed gifts and rewards to his brave soldiers. Guru Ji consoled Pir Buddhu Shah on the loss of this sons and followers.

After the battle Guru Ji stayed at Paonta Sahib for some time. In that year Guru Ji’s first son was born to Mata Sundri Ji. To commemorate the battle Guru Ji named him Ajit Singh.