Sidhbari derives its name from a sage, Baba Sidh. It is believed by the locals that the dhuni (burning piece of wood) here has been burning for centuries and has never been extinguished even once. Hence the vibhuti (ash) is said to have the sacred blessings of the Sidh Baba.
Since 2000, Sidhbari has also been associated as the temporary residence of the Karmapa (Ogyen Trinley Dorje). The place is called Gyotu Monastery and is believed to be a teaching place for tantra vidya.
Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha is also situated here.
Places of Interest
The small town of Sidhbari is bustling with activity due to several local attractions.
Very near to the village is Chinmaya Ashram or Sandeepany Himalayas. In this Ashram is the Samadhi (resting place) of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, founder of Chinmaya Mission.
In the village of Sidhbari, near Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, lies what is commonly regarded as the meditation spot of Kapila. The sage who lived there is locally regarded as Sidh Baba due to his mystic powers, and hence the name of the village Sidhbari.
Sidhbari is also the temporary residence of the Tibetan buddhist leader Karmapa(Ogyen Trinley Dorje), at Gyuto Monastery. Sidhbari is about six kilometers from Dharamshala, and about 15 kilometers from McLeod Ganj, where the 14th Dalai Lama lives.
One attraction for tourists in Sidhbari is the Naam Art Gallery, exhibiting paintings by European artists Elsbeth Buschmann and Alfred W. Hallett.
Another attraction is the earthen architectural works of Didi Contractor, including several homes made of adobe and bamboo.
Vidhan Sabha : The winter session of assembly meetings happen here in Sidhbari.
The hamlets of Rakkar and Sokni Da Kot in Upper Sidhbari is inhabited by the Gaddi community and offers visitors authentic homestay options in traditional mud houses.
The Manuni Nallah flows through Sidhbari and is revered as a holy stream with various temples along the riverbank. The Aganjar Mahadev Temple at Khaniyara is the most famous and is located at Khaniyara, 2 km from Sidhbari.
Nishtha – Rural Health, Education and Environment Center.
How To reach Sidhbari from Delhi
There are various options to reach Sidhbari .
By Bus : Take a bus from Delhi(ISBT) bus terminus to Dharamshala. There are volvo, semi sleepers,deluxe, sem-deluxe buses run by Himachal Road Transport Corporation(HRTC). Various other state run buses also ply to Dharamshala. Once you reach Dharamshala, you can take a local bus , taxi to Sidhbari. The distance from Dharamshala bus stand to Sidhbari is about 5 km.
By Train: The nearest railway Station (broad Gauge) is Pathankot. There are various trains enroute to Jammu, that stop at Patahankot.From Pathankot, you can take a bus to Dharamshala and then from there to Sidhbari . Th other option is to hire a taxi to Sidhbari from Pathankot itself.
By Air: The nearest Airport is Dharamsala-Kangra Airport/Gaggal Airport. There are flights from Delhi to Gaggal. Once you reach Gaggal, you can hire a taxi. The distance between Gaggal and Sidhbari is around 12 km.
