From SGPC to RSS to Punjab government, nationwide observances to mark 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur

The SGPC has taken the lead in organising a series of religious programs, including Sehaj Paths, nagar kirtans and congregations at historical gurdwaras. At Baba Bakala in Amritsar district – where Guru Tegh Bahadur was proclaimed as the ninth Sikh Guru – the SGPC organised bhog ceremonies for 25,000 Sehaj Paths this week. The bhog of nearly 35,000 more Sehaj Paths will be held at Anandpur Sahib on November 16, followed by week-long religious events.

The SGPC also organised a Charan Suhave Yatra from Delhi to Takht Sri Patna Sahib in October, carrying Guru Gobind Singh’s relics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the event at Patna Sahib on October 23 when the yatra reached there. Two more SGPC-led processions are set to start from Assam and Jammu and Kashmir in the coming week and will culminate at Anandpur Sahib.

Earlier, a nagar kirtan by Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Bihar, had commenced on October 17 and culminated at Anandpur Sahib on October 27.

SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, however, has reiterated that such religious commemorations are the responsibility of Sikh institutions, not state governments. He had earlier objected to governments organising parallel events, asserting that their role should be limited to providing logistical support such as security and crowd management, while Sikh bodies conduct observances according to Gurmat Maryada (Sikh religious code).

Why Anandpur Sahib is centre of observances of martyrdom day

Anandpur Sahib holds deep spiritual and historical importance in connection with Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The Guru founded this town in 1665, naming it Chakk Nanaki, later known as Anandpur Sahib –the City of Bliss. After his martyrdom in Delhi in 1675, his severed head (Sis Sahib) was brought here by Bhai Jaita and cremated with full honour by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The sacred act turned Anandpur Sahib into the central place of remembrance for his supreme sacrifice. It was also here that Guru Gobind Singh Ji later established the Khalsa in 1699, embodying his father’s legacy of courage, faith, and freedom. Hence, Anandpur Sahib remains the spiritual heart of martyrdom commemorations.

Punjab government: ‘Shaheedi Smaran Maah’

The Punjab government has 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.

One nagar kirtan will start from Srinagar on November 19 and reach Anandpur Sahib on November 22. Two others will begin from Faridkot and Talwandi Sabo on November 20, while a fourth, comprising devotees from Majha and Doaba regions, will start on November 22 to reach Anandpur Sahib before November 25.

The Punjab government has invited President Droupadi Murmu and the chief ministers of all states to participate in the concluding celebrations between November 19 and 25 at Anandpur Sahib. An appointment has also been sought with the prime minister to extend a personal invitation, revealed sources.

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains last week said over 70 lakh students in more than 35,000 schools have already participated in a special 15-day educational module on Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s life and martyrdom. The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) has also held a series of seminars involving around 2,600 students at historically significant sites.

Bains added that the state is blending devotion, education and culture through light and sound shows, drone displays, exhibitions and the establishment of a tent city at Anandpur Sahib to accommodate devotees. It has been learnt that SGPC has refused the government permission to organise religious programs at SGPC-run gurdwaras in Anandpur Sahib, due to which government-run programs will be held at the Dera of Nihang Sect Baba Budha Dal in Anandpur Sahib.

On Wednesday, Bains, who is also the local MLA, launched the ‘White City’ project for Anandpur Sahib commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary. Over 20,000 litres of paint will be used to paint the city white ahead of the martyrdom day, according to information from the Punjab Government.

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee

In Delhi, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has planned widespread 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, in a media statement, had emphasised that since the Guru’s martyrdom took place in Delhi, the national capital should be the epicentre of all commemorative activities.

Haryana government: month-long observance

The Haryana government has also begun a month-long commemoration from November 1 to 25. The program opened with a massive blood donation camp in Panchkula and will culminate 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. The government is conducting essay-writing and story-narration competitions expected to engage over 3.5 lakh school students. Additionally, Haryana has announced that its forestry and wildlife conservation centre at Kalesar will be named after Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, in recognition of his message of compassion for all living beings.

BJP Punjab’s religious programs

The Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a series of devotional events. On November 19, a grand Kirtan Darbar will be held at Sri Anandpur Sahib 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 said the programs are an opportunity to share the Guru’s divine message of unity, sacrifice and truth. “BJP Punjab draws inspiration from the supreme sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and appeals to all Punjabis to take part in these spiritual events,” he stated.

Himachal Pradesh government’s celebrations

The Himachal Pradesh government began 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. Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla also paid tribute, calling Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s sacrifice “a timeless example of courage, compassion, and commitment to protecting faith and humanity.”

The Himachal government has announced that November 24 will be observed across the state with Sukhmani Sahib recitations and educational programs in schools. District administrations in Una and Sirmaur – regions with strong Sikh heritage – will hold local events with gurdwara committees.

RSS and allied organisations join in

Even the RSS, as part of its centenary celebrations, is remembering Guru Tegh Bahadur in its Shakhas. “In our centenary programs throughout the year, we are spreading the teachings of Guru Tegh Bahadur in our Shakhas,” said Yashdeep Puri, Prachar Pramukh, RSS (Ludhiana unit).

A social organisation, 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 organisations affiliated with the RSS are also organising programs to remember the Guru’s legacy of faith, freedom and humanity, said Puri.