Chandigarh: On the auspicious occasion of the 350th martyrdom year of Hind ki Chadar, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the second holy Nagar Kirtan Yatra commenced on Tuesday from the sacred land of Pinjore in Haryana’s Panchkula district. An Ardaas ceremony was held at Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Darbar, village Gorakhnath, in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. The Chief Minister offered prayers before Sri Guru Granth Sahib, seeking happiness, prosperity, and well-being for the people of the state.
During the program, the Chief Minister also announced that the Government Polytechnic, Ambala would be named after Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was not only the first protector of human rights in the Sikh community or in India, but in the entire world. He made the supreme sacrifice to uphold the principles of faith, freedom, and humanity. He added that the second Nagar Kirtan Yatra, which began from Pinjore, is a far-reaching initiative to spread Guru Ji’s message of sacrifice, devotion, and the protection of righteousness among the masses.
PM Narendra Modi to grace Kurukshetra Mahasammelan on Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s Martyrdom year
He informed that, to commemorate the 350th martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, four sacred Nagar Kirtan Yatras are being organized across the state, covering all districts of Haryana. These Yatras will culminate in Kurukshetra on November 24. The following day, November 25, a Mahasammelan will take place in Kurukshetra to mark the martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending as the chief guest.
He said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji shared a deep and historic connection with the holy land of Haryana. In 1665, Guru Ji shifted the headquarters of the Sikh sect to Dhamtan (Pargana Jind, Bangar Desh — present-day Haryana). During the same year, he traveled from Bangar Desh to Lohgarh, meeting the Sangat in Jind, Kaithal, Cheeka, Karah, Siyana Saida, and Pehowa, and urging them to follow the path of righteousness. He also visited Barna village in Kurukshetra district, Thanesar, Ladwa, and the Yamunanagar region.
The Chief Minister said that the people of Haryana are blessed that the sacred feet of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji graced this land on multiple occasions. During his visits, he imparted divine wisdom to the Sangat and inspired them to uphold and protect Dharma. The Gurughars established at the places he visited continue to illuminate his teachings and uphold his ideals to this day, he added.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini stated that the Haryana government celebrates the festivals of our great leaders and Gurus on a grand scale. He highlighted that the state had observed the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji with deep reverence and respect, and now the 350th Martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is being celebrated with equal grandeur at the state level. He added that this event is being led by Sardar Jagdish Singh Jhinda, President of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, who has been actively promoting these yatras. The committee has done commendable work in spreading the teachings, philosophy, and history of the Gurus among the masses.
Referring to various initiatives undertaken by the state government, the Chief Minister said that a research chair has been established in the name of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji at Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa, enabling future generations to study his life, philosophy, and contributions, and to draw inspiration from the Gurus’ history.
He further mentioned that the medical college under construction in Yamunanagar has been named after Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and will soon be completed and dedicated to the public. Additionally, the road from Panchkula to Paonta Sahib has been named after Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and a college in Assandh has been named after Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s younger son. A VLDA College has also been established in the name of Mata Gujri Devi at Lakhnaur Sahib, the maternal home of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, reflecting respect for the Guru tradition and Haryana’s rich cultural heritage.
Sardar Jagdish Singh Jhinda, President of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Sardar Gurmeet Singh Ramsar, Vice President of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Sardar Baljit Singh Daduwal, Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma, Kartikeya Sharma, MLA Shakti Rani Sharma, District President Ajay Mittal, former Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, Banto Kataria, OSD Dr. Prabhleen Singh, Om Prakash Devinagar, Sardar Gulab Singh, Bibi Kartar Kaur, and other dignitaries were also present.
Nagar Kirtan Yatra pass through Panchkula district from Nov 11 to 14
This Nagar Kirtan Yatra commenced from Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Darbar, Village Gorakhnath, on November 11. The procession will pass through the villages of Madhawala, Nanakpur, Karanpur, Johluwal, Kirtpur, Lohgarh, and Kheda Basla, and will reach Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib, Pinjore, where it will halt for the night. On the second day (November 12), the Nagar Kirtan Yatra will start from Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib, Pinjore, and proceed through Kalka, Tipra, Mallamod, Himshikha, and the CRPF Camp, before reaching Gurdwara Singh Sahib, Bakshiwala, for an overnight stay. On the third day (November 13), the Yatra will begin from Gurdwara Singh Sahib, Bakshiwala, and pass through Gurdwara Himshikha, Gurdwara DLF, Amravati, Chandi Mandir, Old Panchkula, and Majri Chowk, concluding the day’s journey at Gurdwara Sri Nada Sahib, Panchkula, where it will rest overnight. On the fourth day (November 14), the Nagar Kirtan Yatra will commence from Gurdwara Sri Nada Sahib and proceed through Village Mankaya, concluding the day at Gurdwara Manak Tabra for the night halt.
