Shri Nanakmatta Sahib - Spiritual Peace & Scenic Beauty in One Destination

Nanakmatta is a holy Sikh pilgrimage place situated in Uttarakhand in the Udham Singh Nagar district and visited by thousands of nature lovers and devotees throughout the year. This holy town is calm and quiet, engulfed in the scenic beauty of the Terai region, and is of great religious importance as Guru Nanak DevJi, the first Guru of Sikhs, had visited this town. Right next to it is the grand Nanak Sagar Dam, an artificial beauty that does more than just aid irrigation, it presents a picturesque location, which serves as a picnic and photo-shoot destination as well as a birdwatching spot.

Nanakmatta is a well-connected and easily accessible place suitably located close to the cities of Khatima and Sitarganj. What is more convenient is that it is only 50-60 kilometers away from Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, and all the tourists get the best chance to mix spiritual journey with wildlife adventure.

The Religious Value of Nanakmatta

Nanak Matta houses Gurudwara Sri Nanakmatta Sahib which was constructed on the place where Guru Nanak is believed to have stopped on his spiritual journey (udasi). Here he talked about spiritual matters and blessed the earth, which used to be under the influence of yoga practices. The calm atmosphere, the river flowing beside, and the harmonious songs emanating from Gurudwara make every visitor feel relaxed and calm.

There is also a sacred banyan tree and a Sarovar (holy pond) in the complex in which the pilgrims take a dip as a part of their religious duties. Langar (community kitchen) is available every day and everyone, including devotees and visitors, is invited to get a warm meal and hospitality, which affirms Sikh principles of equality and service.

Nanak Sagar Dam - A Beauty and Biodiversity Reservoir

Adjacent to the Gurudwaras is the large Nanak Sagar Dam, which is built across the Deoha River. The dam also irrigates the agricultural needs of the villages around the area besides being a recreation and nature tourism site that is fast gaining popularity in the area. The dam and the resulting water body cover a large area thus making a beautiful landscape of a lake which changes with the color of the sky, particularly at sunset and sunrise.

A popular activity here is birdwatching; this is particularly popular in the winter months when migratory birds come in flock. The calm waters of the lake are home to herons, egrets, ducks, and kingfishers among other birds that live in the wetlands, hence a bird lover or photographer's paradise.

The dam is a common place where locals and tourists go boating, have picnics, and have peaceful walks. The fresh air, the view of birds flying across the calm waters, and the view of the farmlands in the far-off distance make it an awesome getaway from the busy life in the city.

How to Reach

Nanakmatta can be easily approached Pilibhit Tiger Reserve and more specifically, the Mahof and Mustafabad ranges. The road trip is approx 1.5 hours, through villages and fields of sugarcane and mustard, thus, the drive is not only picturesque but also rejuvenating. Nearest cities are Pilibhit approx 55Km, Khatima only 15 km and Sitarganj approx 20 km and the closest railway station is Khatima. Nanak Matta and Nanak Sagar can be easily accessed by use of public transport, taxis, and personal cars.

An Ideal Stopover Pilibhit Visitors

The trip to Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is usually supplemented by tourists with a spiritual and picturesque halt at Nanak Matta. The serene Gurudwara and the exquisiteness of the dam come as a welcome break after the excitement of a jungle safari.

Nanakmatta and Nanak Sagar Dam have also become part of nature and cultural tour packages being operated by many tour operators in connection with Khatima, Sitarganj, and Pilibhit. Religion, nature, and culture combine to fulfill every family, solo traveler, and wildlife admirer's dream to visit this destination.

Be it a religious pilgrimage or a wildlife safari, Nanak Matta and Nanak Sagar offer peace, diversity of culture, and beauty of nature. It is a beautiful place which you should not leave out in your visit to the Terai region.