Kesgarh

Kesgarh, also known as Kesgarh Sahib, is a prominent gurdwara located in Anandpur Sahib, in the Rupnagar district of Punjab, India. It sits within the historic Kesgarh Fort, a central feature of Anandpur Sahib that remains closely associated with the town’s religious and military history.

The gurdwara marks the site where Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa on Vaisakhi in 1699. During that ceremony, he initiated the Panj Pyare and administered the first Amrit baptism, inaugurating a collective oath that became a defining moment in Sikh history and identity.

The current shrine has undergone renovations over the centuries. The sanctum houses the Guru Granth Sahib and serves as the focus of daily prayers, processions, and rituals. Kesgarh is part of a network of forts around Anandpur Sahib, whose historically named gates include Anandgarh, Holgarh, and Taragarh, reflecting the city’s long-standing strategic and spiritual significance.

Visitors arrive year-round, with Vaisakhi drawing particularly large crowds. The site hosts langar, devotional singing, and recitations, contributing to a vibrant religious atmosphere. As a major pilgrimage destination for Sikhs worldwide, Kesgarh Sahib is approached with reverence, and modest dress and head coverings are expected inside the gurdwara complex.