Paonta Sahib

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Paonta Sahib is a city in Himachal Pradesh, India. It sits on the Yamuna River in the Sirmaur district and lies along National Highway 72. The town is about 44 km from Dehradun and is near Nahan, Yamunanagar, and the Doon Valley.

Geography
- Coordinates: 30.438°N, 77.624°E
- Elevation: about 389 meters above sea level
- The Yamuna River forms the boundary between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand

History and culture
- Paonta Sahib was founded in 1685 by Sikh Guru Gobind Singh.
- The town is famous for Gurudwara Paonta Sahib, a major Sikh shrine with a museum. Guru Gobind Singh lived here for about four and a half years and wrote several religious texts during his stay.
- Paonta Sahib is the birthplace of Sahibzada Ajit Singh, the eldest son of Guru Gobind Singh.
- The name Paonta Sahib reflects Hindi roots: Paon means “feet” and tika means “became stable.”

Demographics
- Population (2011): 25,183
- Gender: about 53% males and 47% females
- Literacy: around 76% (higher than the national average)
- The town has a 13-ward municipal council

Climate
- Paonta Sahib has a sub-tropical, monsoon-influenced climate
- Summers can be very hot, with temperatures reaching up to about 44°C
- Winters are cool, with daytime temperatures roughly 2–7°C and nights often near freezing
- Rain mainly comes with the monsoon season

Economy and industries
- Major industries include cement (Rajban), power generation (renewable energy), aviation (Air Himalayas), and pharmaceuticals (Sun Pharmaceutical and Mankind Pharma)
- Textiles and chemicals are also present
- The area around Sataun is known for limestone
- Tirupati Group companies (Tirupati Medicare, Tirupati Life Sciences, Tirupati Wellness, Pontika Aerotech) operate on Nahan Road

Nearby nature and attractions
- Kalesar National Park is about 12 km away
- Colonel Sher Jung National Park is nearby
- The town has several hotels and guesthouses for visitors

Paonta Sahib is both a commercial town and a place of religious importance for Sikhs, drawing visitors to its historic Gurudwara and scenic Doon Valley surroundings.