Chandigarh, November 8 – On the occasion of 350th martyrdom anniversary of ‘Hind Ki Chadar’ Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, a sacred yatra commenced today from the holy land of Rori in Sirsa. In the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, an Ardas was performed at the historic Gurusar Rori Sahib Gurdwara. During the ceremony, the Chief Minister offered prayers before the holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji for the peace, prosperity, and well-being of the State.
In his address on this occasion, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was not only a saviour of the Sikh community or India but of human rights in the entire world. He said this yatra is an effort to spread Guru Ji’s message of penance, sacrifice, and his supreme martyrdom in defence of faith and righteousness to every corner of society.
He informed that to commemorate the 350th martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, four sacred yatras will be organized across Haryana, covering the entire State. These yatras will conclude in Kurukshetra on November 24, where an All-Faith Conference will also be held. The following day, on November 25, a grand congregation (Mahasamagam) will be organized in Kurukshetra, in which Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi will participate as the Chief Guest.
Deep Connection of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji with Haryana
The Chief Minister stated that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji shared a profound connection with the sacred land of Haryana. In 1665, the headquarters of Sikhism was shifted to Dharmatan, pargana Jind, in the region of Bangar Desh (now Haryana). This decision was taken because the area was directly connected to Lohgarh in the south. During the same year, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib travelled from Bangar Desh to Lohgarh, passing through Jind, Kaithal, Cheeka, Karah, Siana Saidan, and then Pehowa, where he met the local Sikh sangat. From there, Guru Sahib proceeded to the village of Barna in Kurukshetra district, where Masand Bhai Sudha welcomed him. He also visited Thanesar, Ladwa, and Yamunanagar regions during his travels.
The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great fortune for the people of Haryana that the sacred footsteps of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji graced this land several times. During his visits, he imparted divine knowledge to the sangat and inspired them to uphold righteousness and protect faith. The places where he visited have been preserved in the form of Gurughars (Gurdwaras), which continue to spread the light of his teachings for centuries. Today, more than 30 such sites have become revered pilgrimage destinations, where devotees visit throughout the year to seek spiritual upliftment.
An Inspirational Occasion for Youth
In his address to the youth, the Chief Minister said that the 350th martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji holds special significance as it reminds the younger generation that the foundation of modern India rests on countless sacrifices, penance, and renunciation. He said that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, the government is committed to giving India’s spiritual journey and heritage global recognition. Over the past 11 years, the respect accorded to Sikh heritage, great saints, and historical sites has become an integral part of India’s national policy. From the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji to the 350th martyrdom commemoration of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, India has been advancing rapidly on the path of progress.
Government Committed Towards Preserving Sikh Heritage
Highlighting the efforts of the government, the Chief Minister said that the Haryana Government has made provisions to provide government jobs to one member each of 121 Sikh families in the State who lost their loved ones during the 1984 riots. He said that in December 2022, the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee was established, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the Sikh community and granting them autonomy in religious affairs.
He informed that the upcoming medical college in Yamunanagar will be named “Hind Ki Chadar Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh Medical College.” Similarly, the college in Assandh has been named after Baba Fateh Singh Ji, the younger son of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who is remembered as “Sarbans Dani” (the one who sacrificed his entire family).
He added that at Lakhnaur Sahib, the Mata Gujri VLDA College has been established, and on October 27, the foundation stone for the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Memorial was laid at Lohgarh in Yamunanagar. He also mentioned that the “Swarn Jayanti Guru Darshan Yatra Yojana” has been launched to provide financial assistance to pilgrims from Haryana visiting holy Sikh shrines such as Sri Hazur Sahib, Sri Nankana Sahib, Sri Hemkunt Sahib, and Sri Patna Sahib.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included President of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee Sardar Jagdish Singh Jhinda, Jathedar Sri Baljit Singh Daduwal, Sardar Kuldeep Singh Rori, Sardar Angrez Singh, Sh. Jagdish Singh Chopra, Sardar Charanjit Singh Rori, Sardar Darshan Singh Sarpanch, Sh. Sahajender Singh, Sh. Jarnail Singh, Sh. Major Singh, and Sh. Rajender Singh Desujodha.
