In a significant move to facilitate pilgrims, the Northern Railway has announced a special temporary stoppage for a dozen long-distance trains at Sirhind railway station in Punjab. This arrangement coincides with the annual Shaheedi Jor Mela, a major religious congregation held from December 25 to December 27.
Special Railway Arrangement for Pilgrims
The railway authorities have decided that 12 long-route trains, which normally do not stop at Sirhind, will make a brief two-minute halt at the station over the three-day period. This decision was made in anticipation of the large influx of devotees traveling from across India to attend the Shaheedi Sabha in Fatehgarh Sahib district.
The historic gurdwaras central to the observance are located approximately 5 kilometers from the Sirhind railway station. This temporary measure is designed to provide direct rail access and greater convenience for the pilgrims, saving them time and effort.
List of Trains with Temporary Stoppage
The following trains will have the special two-minute halt at Sirhind from December 25 to 27:
- 12237 Varanasi–Jammu Tawi Begampura Express
- 12238 Jammu Tawi–Varanasi Begampura Express
- 12903 Mumbai Bandra–Amritsar Golden Temple Mail
- 12904 Amritsar–Mumbai Bandra Golden Temple Mail
- 12379 Sealdah–Amritsar Jallianwala Bagh Express
- 15933 New Tinsukia–Amritsar Express
- 20807 Visakhapatnam–Amritsar Hirakud Express
- 12358 Amritsar–Kolkata Durgiana Express
- 12550 Jammu Tawi–Durg Express
- 12407 New Jalpaiguri- Amritsar Junction Karambhoomi Express
- 12408 Amritsar–New Jalpaiguri Karambhoomi Express
- 12498 Amritsar–New Delhi Shan-e-Punjab Express
Government's Focus on Pilgrim Convenience
Commenting on the initiative, Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu stated that the decision reflects the Union government's commitment to public convenience. He highlighted that the move was made considering the increasing number of devotees. Bittu added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government made these special efforts to honor the sacrifice of the Sahibzadas.
The Profound Historical Significance of Sirhind
The city of Sirhind occupies a sacred and somber place in Sikh history. It was here in December 1705 that the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, were martyred. They were executed on the orders of the Mughal governor Wazir Khan after refusing to abandon their faith.
The Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib stands at the site of their martyrdom. Other nearby gurdwaras, including Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup Sahib and Gurdwara Thanda Burj, are also associated with this tragic event.
In the same month, the elder Sahibzadas, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh Ji, attained martyrdom fighting Mughal forces at the Battle of Chamkaur in Chamkaur Sahib. The martyrdom of all four princes within a single month remains a cornerstone narrative of courage and sacrifice in Sikh tradition, commemorated annually during the Shaheedi Jor Mela.
