Gurudwara Paonta Sahib is situated in Sirmour district in Paonta Sahib town in Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the most religious places of Sikhism and keeps important place in Sikh pilgrimage. The gurudwara is built on the banks of river Yamuna. The foundation of Paonta Sahib town was laid by the Guru Gobind Singh ji who was the tenth Guru of Sikhism.
Earlier the place was known as “Paontica”. It is composed of two words “Paonta” which means feet refering to the holy feet of Guru Gobind Singh ji. The name best suits this place as according to a legend when Guru Gobind Singh ji was travelling on His horses then the horses stopped as soon as they reached this place. Then Guru Gobind Singh ji named this place as “Paonta”. Then Guru Gobind Singh ji established a gurudwara at this place and spent around four and half years of his life here.
Due to this history, the gurudwara holds a religious and respectable place among the followers of Sikhism. Out of his devotion, one of the devotee had offered a palanquin made of pure gold to the gurudwara.
It is believed that Guru Gobind Singh ji composed Dasam granth at this place only. It is also said that, river Yamuna would make so much of noise while passing from here and on the request of guru Gobind Singh ji the river started to flow peacefully from this area which made the environment very conducive of composing the Dasam granth.
Shri Talab sthan and Shri Dastar sthan are two important parts inside this gurudwara. Guru would distribute the salary at Shri Talab Sthan and at Shri Dastar sthan turban wearing competition was organised. There is a museum inside gurudwara where the weapons and Pen used by guru ji and kept. There is also a temple linked with this gurudwara. There is a place called kavi darbar near to gurudwra where poetic competition were organised.