Sikhs Celebrate 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur

Sikhs in Hyderabad are set to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahibji with the Shaheedi Shatabdi Nagar Kirtan Yatra. This significant procession commenced at Dhobri Sahib Gurdwara in Assam and will arrive in Hyderabad on November 23, 2023, coinciding with the anniversary itself. The yatra aims to elevate awareness of the Guru’s profound sacrifice and timeless teachings.

Organized under the auspices of the Central Committee of Gurudwara Saheban (CCGS) in Telangana, preparations have been meticulously arranged across all Gurudwaras in Hyderabad. The yatra is expected to be warmly welcomed at Ghatkesar at 16:00 local time, traversing major routes including the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and PVNR Marg.

The festivities will continue with a Nagar Kirtan, featuring participants from all local Gurudwaras, commencing from Kishanbagh X Road at 19:30. This procession will include stops at significant sites such as Puratan Gurudwara Saheb and Asha Singh Bagh Saheeda Singh Asthan, culminating at Gurudwara Saheb Baram Bala in Sikh Chawniat.

At a press conference held on Tuesday, S Gurucharan Singh Bagga, chairman of CCGS Telangana, invited individuals from all communities to participate in the yatra. He emphasized the universal message of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s sacrifice, stating, “Guru Saheb’s supreme sacrifice teaches that defending faith and humanity is the highest duty. This Nagar Kirtan is for all humanity.”

Hyderabad, often referred to as ‘Mini India’ for its diverse population, is seen as an ideal backdrop for this event. Bagga noted that the yatra serves not only as a remembrance but also as an opportunity to inspire the younger generation about Sikh history and promote unity amongst different faiths. He remarked, “When people of every faith come together, the message of brotherhood spreads far.”

The yatra will pause overnight at Gurudwara Saheb Baram Bala for a kirtan darbar, featuring performances by kirtani jathas and katha vachaks. Following this, the procession will continue its journey towards Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, before concluding at Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, on November 23, which is also the official Martyrs’ Day for Guru Tegh Bahadur.

This event not only honors a pivotal figure in Sikh history but also reinforces the values of compassion and resilience that continue to resonate across communities today.