The holy city of Sri Anandpur Sahib witnessed an unprecedented surge of spiritual energy as countless devotees gathered to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The air resonated with the powerful chants of 'Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal' as a sea of faithful participants accompanied grand nagar kirtan processions arriving from four distinct directions across the region.
A Spiritual Convergence of Nagar Kirtans
Four major nagar kirtan processions, embarking from historically significant locations, culminated their journeys at Sri Anandpur Sahib on Sunday. These devotional marches, filled with hymn singing, created a tapestry of unity and reverence. The routes included a procession from Srinagar that began on November 19, another from Gurdaspur in the Majha-Doaba region starting November 20, and two from the Malwa region originating from Faridkot and Talwandi Sabo on the same day.
In a gesture of deep respect, Punjab Cabinet ministers Harjot Singh Bains and Tarunpreet Singh Sond, along with MP Malwinder Singh Kang, walked barefoot ahead of the processions, showering rose petals to welcome them. Throngs of devotees lined the pathways, bowing their heads in reverence as the sacred processions entered the city.
Commemorations and Tight Security Arrangements
The commemorative events were inaugurated with an akhand path at Gurdwara Baba Budha Dal Chouni, commenced by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal. The leaders highlighted the Ninth Guru's supreme sacrifice for religious freedom and his timeless teachings of peace, secularism, and universal brotherhood.
To manage the massive influx of pilgrims, authorities established a sophisticated security grid. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rupnagar, Gulneet Singh Khurana, detailed the extensive measures. A state-of-the-art command center was activated, functioning as the nerve center for all operations.
This integrated control room monitors live feeds from 300 AI-enabled facial recognition CCTV cameras, 10 PTZ cameras, 25 ANPR cameras, and seven drone teams, ensuring comprehensive surveillance. The city was divided into 25 micro-security sectors, each with its own sub-control room and help desk for rapid response.
A Vibrant Display of Faith and Culture
The atmosphere was electrified by dynamic gatka performances, the traditional Sikh martial art, showcasing the community's rich heritage of courage and spirituality. The event was not just a somber remembrance but a vibrant celebration of Guru Tegh Bahadur's legacy.
For crowd management, real-time digital mapping developed by IIT-Ropar was utilized to monitor traffic and pedestrian movement, with live updates on parking and diversions relayed to the public. Continuous shuttle bus services operated between parking areas, main venues, and temporary tent cities to facilitate the smooth movement of pilgrims.
The main state-organized events at Sri Anandpur Sahib are scheduled to continue from November 23 to November 25, with leaders and citizens alike urged to participate and imbibe the Guru's ideals of selfless service to humanity.
