GURDASPUR
Gurdaspur, which is a border district of the state, has played a significant role in the defense of the country. Batala and Dhariwal are important industrial centers known respectively for the manufacture of machine tools and woolen products. Dera Baba Nanak and Sri Hagobindpur have great religious sanctity and Pathankot – a great tourist transit center has a number of picnic spots nearby.
Dera Baba Nanak is situated 35 Kms. west of Gurdaspur on the border of Pakistan. Sri Guru Nanak DevJi, the founder of Sikhism spent about 12 years of his later life at this place. Precious robes, which were presented to him when he visited Mecca, are preserved here. Thousands of pilgrims visit this place on the eve of Maghi in the second week of January every year from all over the country. Close by is Gurudwara Tahli Sahib.
Kalanaur :
Akbar was proclaimed the Emperor of Hindustan (India) here on February 14, 1556 A.D. The coronation ceremony was performed on a masonary platform, now known as ‘Takhat-i-Akbari.’
Akbari Masjid :
Situated near this historic site of coronation, the Masjid built to mark the occasion is still extant.
Sri Hargobindpur: Sri Hargobindpur situated at a distance of 38 kms. in the south of Gurdaspur was founded by the 5th Guru Arjan Dev. Guru Hargobind won a fierce battle at Rohilia near this place in 1621 against the Mughal armies led by Abdullah, the Faujdar of Jalandhar. At the place where Guru Sahib took rest during the battle, a Gurudwara known as Damdama Sahib has been constructed.
Batala :
An ancient town replete with temples, gurudwaras connected with the marriage of Guru Nanak Dev, seat of Christian Mission and the famous Christian Baring College, is also renowned for the manufacture of Machine Tools.
Dhariwal :
One of India’s leading Textile Mill, world-renowned for the manufacture of woolen cloth is located here.
Pathankot :
Pathankot, a halting station for tourists visiting Jammu & Kashmir, Kangra and Kullu Valley and Dalhousie and Chamba lies at a distance of 485 kilometers from Delhi, Via Mukerian and 554 kms via Amritsar. A visitor can spend his leisure time at Malikpur, Asia’s foremost Hydraulic Research Station at the Upper Bari Doab Canal or at Madhopur known for its famous headworks on the river Ravi or at Shahpur Kandi, a place of unique beauty a little north of Madhopur. Close by is the newly constructed Thein or Ranjit Sagar Dam.
Qadian :
Qadian, main center of Muslim fraternity called Ahmadiya, after the name of its founder. It is venerated as second Mecca. Besides the Ahmadiya mosque there is a beautiful tomb of the founder. At this center Ahmadiyas from all over the world gather for their annual congregation during the last week of the year.
How To Reach
Madhopur falls on the Delhi-Jammu railway line and important trains which stop here include Jammu Mail and Chennai Mail.
There is a vast network of bus services of Punjab, Himachal, Haryana, Pepsu, Chandigarh, J&K and apart from private operators. Important destinations include Shimla, Chandigarh, Jammu, Dharamshala, Dalhousie and Amritsar.
Distance From
Chandigarh 287 Kms.
New Delhi 531 Kms.