The North News
Chandigarh/Thiruvananthapuram, November 5
Punjab Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh on Wednesday met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram and extended a formal invitation to participate in the state-level commemorations marking the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Conveying greetings from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the minister apprised Vijayan of the elaborate arrangements being made to observe the historic occasion with reverence and grandeur. He said the month-long commemorative events would highlight the supreme sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who laid down his life to uphold religious freedom and human dignity.
Harbhajan Singh informed the Kerala Chief Minister that the celebrations had begun on October 25 with an Ardaas at Gurdwara Sri Sis Ganj Sahib, Delhi, followed by devotional congregations and cultural programmes across Punjab. He said Light and Sound shows depicting Guru Sahib’s life and teachings were being held in all 23 districts, while 130 sacred sites associated with the Guru’s travels were hosting Kirtan Darbars and spiritual gatherings.
The minister said that four major Nagar Kirtans, originating from Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), Gurdaspur, Faridkot, and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib (Punjab), will converge at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22. The concluding ceremonies from November 23 to 25 will include Sri Akhand Path Sahib, a Sarb Dharam Sammelan, a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, and a grand Kirtan Darbar.
He also informed that a dedicated Tent City named “Chakk Nanki” is being established at Sri Anandpur Sahib to accommodate thousands of devotees visiting daily during the celebrations. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan appreciated the Punjab Government’s initiative, calling it “a strong message of unity, compassion, and brotherhood.”
Harbhajan Singh added that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann envisions the commemorations not only as a tribute to the Ninth Sikh Guru but also as a national effort to spread his teachings of peace, equality, and righteousness. He said that Sri Anandpur Sahib would transform into a vibrant hub of devotion and cultural expression, attracting devotees and visitors from across India and abroad.
