350th martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur: Anandpur Sahib turns white, gears up for historic observance

Beyond its whitewashed façade, the city is buzzing with elaborate preparations. The Punjab government has given Anandpur Sahib a complete facelift to accommodate the massive footfall expected during the commemoration. Along with the gurudwaras that already attract hundreds of devotees daily, the city’s landmarks—especially Virasat-e-Khalsa—have become major points of interest for visitors.

A week of sacred events

The commemorative events are spread across several days. A major Nagar Kirtan set the tone for the celebrations when it began on November 19 from Gurdwara Chhevi Patshahi in Srinagar. Travelling through Jammu, Pathankot, Dasuya, Hoshiarpur, Mahilpur, and Garhshankar, this procession will culminate at Gurdwara Sri Sis Ganj Sahib in Sri Anandpur Sahib on Saturday.

On the same day, another Nagar Kirtan will begin from Gurdwara Sri Sangat Sar Pathwala in Gurdaspur, passing through Batala, Baba Bakala Sahib, Sri Amritsar Sahib, Tarn Taran, Goindwal Sahib, Kapurthala, Kartarpur, Jalandhar, Phagwara, Banga, Nawanshehar, and Balachaur before reaching Sri Sis Ganj Sahib.

Two more Nagar Kirtans—one beginning from Qila Mubarak in Faridkot and another from Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabho, both starting on November 20—will also conclude at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22.

On November 23, Sri Akhand Path Sahib will commence at Baba Buddha Dal Chhauni, and an exhibition on the life of Guru Tegh Bahadur will be inaugurated at Virasat-e-Khalsa. The same day will witness a Sarv Dharm Sammelan at the main pandal in Baba Buddha Dal Chhauni, bringing together eminent religious leaders from various faiths, including Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Dr Rabbi Ezekiel Isaac Malekar, Bhikkhu Sanghasena, Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Acharya Lokesh Muni, Dr Binny Sareen, Haji Syed Salman Chishty, Mahant Gyandev, Syed Afsar Ali Nizami, Param Pujya Muktanand Bapu, Mahant Sampurnanand, etc.

The following day, November 24, will see events at the Sheesh Bhent Nagar Kirtan from Kiratpur Sahib to Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial. A heritage walk covering Gurudwara Bhora Sahib, Gurudwara Sheesh Ganj Sahib, the Guru Tegh Bahadur Museum, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, and Qila Anandgarh Sahib will conclude at Virasat-e-Khalsa.

A special Vidhan Sabha session will also be held at Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial, while the Charan Ganga Stadium will host cultural and martial performances, including gatka, tent pegging, dhal-talwar duels, shastra darshan, and Simran and sword fusion.

From November 23 to 29, a spectacular drone show at Virasat-e-Khalsa will narrate the life and teachings of Guru Tegh Bahadur through advanced light and laser technology. On November 25, after the Bhog of Sri Akhand Path Sahib, the Sarbat Da Bhala Ikattarta programme will take place at Baba Buddha Dal Chhauni.

Tent cities with accommodation for nearly 10,000 pilgrims

For the thousands of devotees expected to stay in the holy city, two expansive tent cities—Chak Nanki Niwas Tent City at Chandesar and Bhai Mati Das Niwas Tent City at Jhinjri—are rising across 81 acres. Designed to collectively accommodate 9,520 pilgrims in a mix of 4-bedded units and 16-bedded dormitory tents, these tent cities are equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, dedicated washrooms, bathing areas, uninterrupted water supply, CCTV surveillance, LED screens, and 24×7 Aam Aadmi Clinics offering OPD services, lab tests, and medicines.

Daily fogging, disinfection drives, water tankers, mobile toilets, and bathing vans ensure sanitation and hygiene across the premises. Shuttle services and e-rickshaws are being arranged to smoothly connect these tent cities with Kesgarh Sahib, Virasat-e-Khalsa, main pandal areas, parking sites, and help desks.

Three-tier parking, with a massive shuttle network

To manage the unprecedented vehicular rush, the administration has developed a structured three-tier parking system with Category A slots nearest to the major congregation points, Category B stations at mid-range locations, and Category C spaces on the periphery to prevent congestion near central venues.

Every parking zone has CCTV surveillance, barricading, lighting, signage, marshals, and mobile toilets. A massive shuttle transport network—including 500 e-rickshaws, 150 minibuses, 25 Force Urbania vans, 15 cars, 20 Tata Ace support vehicles, and 10 golf carts for elderly and specially abled visitors—will ferry devotees from parking areas to key locations under the supervision of an Integrated Control Centre.

8,000 personnel and tech-driven security

Security arrangements are equally comprehensive, with more than 8,000 police personnel deployed across the city. Sri Anandpur Sahib has been divided into 25 sectors, each with its own sub-control room and help desk. A sophisticated high-tech control room has been established with automatic number plate recognition systems, PTZ and facial recognition cameras, and surveillance drones monitoring all entry and exit points.

Smart barricading systems, real-time digital mapping of parking zones in collaboration with IIT Ropar, and round-the-clock patrol teams are working to ensure seamless movement and safety. Medical facilities, including mohalla clinics and referral hospitals, are on standby, while recovery vans and cranes have been stationed to handle emergencies. Lady police and specially trained personnel in civil uniform have also been deployed in high-footfall and sensitive areas.

A week-long drone spectacle

The much-anticipated drone show, scheduled daily from November 23 to 29 at Virasat-e-Khalsa, will bring alive the philosophy, humanism, and supreme sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur through cutting-edge visual projections, lasers, and a powerful soundscape. The show is expected to offer a deeply immersive experience, particularly for younger generations witnessing the Guru’s life story depicted through technology.

In every corner, in every freshly painted wall, the city appears not merely prepared for visitors but prepared for history.