Paonta Sahib is situated on the bank of the river Yamuna. A Gurudwara is dedicated to the tenth sikh guru, Guru Gobind Sigh, who spent five years here.
The name of the city is derived from Paonta meaning "foot", either because Guru Gobind Singh set foot on this place or, according to an alternate story, he lost an ornament which he wore on his foot called "Paonta" while bathing in the Yamuna river.
Legend surrounds the ruins of the old capital of the Raja Sirmouri Tal, not very far from Paonta Sahib. The palace was destroyed by the curse of a court dancer when the Raja went back on his word of giving half of his kingdom to the dancer in case she crossed a narrow gorge on a rope.
This she did but the wily Raja then offered her the entire kingdom if she could dance her way back. She started back but as she was half way across, he cut the rope hurling the helpless girl into the stream.
Floods followed which swept away the city, the Raja and the royal house, as a result of dancer's curse.
Vishawkarma temple and few other Hindu temples are also located in Paonta Sahib.
