Across India, elaborate commemorative events are unfolding to honor the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, revered as Hind ki Chadar. While the actual martyrdom day falls on November 25, observances have been underway since mid-October, involving multiple state governments, religious organizations, and political parties.
SGPC Leads Large-Scale Religious Observances
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has taken the forefront in organizing extensive religious programs to commemorate this historic occasion. The committee has arranged numerous Sehaj Paths, nagar kirtans, and congregations at historically significant gurdwaras across the country.
At Baba Bakala in Amritsar district, where Guru Tegh Bahadur was proclaimed as the ninth Sikh Guru, the SGPC organized bhog ceremonies for 25,000 Sehaj Paths recently. An even larger ceremony is scheduled for November 16 at Anandpur Sahib, where the bhog of nearly 35,000 additional Sehaj Paths will be performed, followed by week-long religious events.
The SGPC also organized a significant Charan Suhave Yatra from Delhi to Takht Sri Patna Sahib in October, carrying sacred relics of Guru Gobind Singh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the event at Patna Sahib on October 23 when the yatra reached its destination. Two more SGPC-led processions are set to commence from Assam and Jammu and Kashmir in the coming week, both culminating at Anandpur Sahib.
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has emphasized that religious commemorations should remain the responsibility of Sikh institutions rather than state governments. He stated that government roles should be limited to providing logistical support such as security and crowd management, while Sikh bodies conduct observances according to Gurmat Maryada.
Punjab Government Declares Shaheedi Smaran Maah
The Punjab government has officially declared the period from October 25 to November 30 as Shaheedi Smaran Maah (Martyrdom Remembrance Month) to mark the Guru's 350th martyrdom anniversary. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that four major nagar kirtans will culminate at Sri Anandpur Sahib between November 20 and 25.
The state government has organized processions starting from various locations:
- One nagar kirtan commencing from Srinagar on November 19, reaching Anandpur Sahib on November 22
- Two processions beginning from Faridkot and Talwandi Sabo on November 20
- A fourth procession comprising devotees from Majha and Doaba regions starting on November 22
The Punjab government has extended invitations to President Droupadi Murmu and all state chief ministers to participate in the concluding celebrations between November 19 and 25 at Anandpur Sahib. Sources reveal that an appointment has also been sought with the prime minister to extend a personal invitation.
In the educational sector, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains reported that over 70 lakh students across more than 35,000 schools have participated in a special 15-day educational module focusing on Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's life and martyrdom. The Punjab School Education Board has conducted seminars involving approximately 2,600 students at historically significant sites.
The state is blending devotion, education, and culture through various initiatives including light and sound shows, drone displays, exhibitions, and the establishment of a tent city at Anandpur Sahib to accommodate devotees. The government has also launched the White City project for Anandpur Sahib, using over 20,000 litres of paint to transform the city ahead of the martyrdom day.
Historical Significance of Anandpur Sahib
Anandpur Sahib holds profound spiritual and historical importance in connection with Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The Guru founded this town in 1665, originally naming it Chakk Nanaki, which later became known as Anandpur Sahib – the City of Bliss.
Following his martyrdom in Delhi in 1675, his severed head (Sis Sahib) was brought to Anandpur Sahib by Bhai Jaita and cremated with full honors by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This sacred act established Anandpur Sahib as the central place of remembrance for his supreme sacrifice. It was also at this holy site that Guru Gobind Singh Ji later established the Khalsa in 1699, embodying his father's legacy of courage, faith, and freedom.
Regional Governments Join Commemorations
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has planned extensive programs, including nagar kirtans and a major event at the historic Gurdwara Sis Ganj, where Guru Tegh Bahadur attained martyrdom. DSGMC president Harmeet Singh Kalka emphasized that since the Guru's martyrdom occurred in Delhi, the national capital should serve as the epicenter of all commemorative activities.
The Haryana government has initiated a month-long commemoration from November 1 to 25, beginning with a massive blood donation camp in Panchkula and culminating in a state-level ceremony in Kurukshetra on November 25. Four major religious processions have been flagged off from Sirsa, Pinjore, Faridabad, and Kapal Mochan, all converging at Kurukshetra for the concluding event.
Haryana is conducting essay-writing and story-narration competitions expected to engage over 3.5 lakh school students. The state has also announced that its forestry and wildlife conservation centre at Kalesar will be named after Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, recognizing his message of compassion for all living beings.
The Himachal Pradesh government commenced its observance with a two-day state-level celebration in Shimla on November 1 and 2. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu led a nagar kirtan from the Ridge while carrying the sacred Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib on his head as a mark of devotion. The state has announced that November 24 will be observed across Himachal with Sukhmani Sahib recitations and educational programs in schools.
Political and Organizational Participation
The Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a series of devotional events, including a grand Kirtan Darbar at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 19 featuring renowned raagi jathas. On November 24, Sri Sukhmani Sahib Paath will be held simultaneously across all 628 BJP mandals in Punjab, with thousands expected to participate.
BJP Punjab's working president Ashwani Sharma stated that these programs provide an opportunity to share the Guru's divine message of unity, sacrifice, and truth. He emphasized that the party draws inspiration from the supreme sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and appealed to all Punjabis to participate in these spiritual events.
Even the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is participating in the commemorations as part of its centenary celebrations. Yashdeep Puri, Prachar Pramukh of RSS (Ludhiana unit), mentioned that throughout their centenary programs, they are spreading the teachings of Guru Tegh Bahadur in their Shakhas.
A social organization, Jan Chetna, will hold an event in Bathinda on November 24 to remember Guru Tegh Bahadur's supreme sacrifice, where RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale will participate. Several organizations affiliated with the RSS are also organizing programs to honor the Guru's legacy of faith, freedom, and humanity.
The nationwide observances reflect the enduring significance of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's martyrdom and his message of protecting religious freedom and human dignity, which continues to inspire millions across India and beyond.
