79th Sant Nirankari Samagam kicks off in Samalkha; 10 lakh devotees expected
Synopsis
One of India's largest annual spiritual gatherings is underway in Haryana — the 79th Sant Nirankari Samagam at Samalkha near Panipat draws up to 10 lakh devotees on a 650-acre site, marshalled by over one lakh volunteers, with Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini expected to attend and the theme of 'Awakening' anchoring the four-day event.
Key Takeaways
The 79th Annual Sant Nirankari Samagam commenced on 24 October 2026 in Samalkha , near Panipat, Haryana , running until 26 October .
Nearly 10 lakh devotees are expected across the 650-acre venue.
This year's theme is 'Jagriti' (Awakening) , centred on universal love, selfless service and overcoming mutual prejudice.
Over one lakh volunteers (sevadars) are managing logistics; 25 government ambulances and 14 fire tenders are on standby for emergencies.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is expected to attend, according to organisers.
Devotees from multiple countries are participating, giving the congregation an international character.
The 79th Annual Sant Nirankari Samagam got underway on Friday, 24 October 2026 at Samalkha near Panipat in Haryana, with organisers anticipating close to 10 lakh devotees over the four-day spiritual congregation running until 26 October. Held under the divine presence of Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj, this year's edition carries the central theme of 'Jagriti' (Awakening) — a call to humanity to rise above prejudice, embrace universal love and dedicate itself to selfless service.
Scale of the Event
The congregation is being hosted on a 650-acre campus in Samalkha, making it one of the largest annual spiritual gatherings in northern India. Joginder Sukhija, Secretary of the Sant Nirankari Mission, confirmed that the venue has been purpose-built to manage the expected influx at this scale.
Four large langar halls, four dedicated cooking areas and six distribution zones have been set up to provide free community meals to all attendees. The campus is also equipped with 22 toilet blocks, multiple drinking water stations and a fully functional medical facility.
Volunteer Force and Logistics
More than one lakh volunteers, known as sevadars, from the Sant Nirankari Mission are deployed across the venue, managing crowd movement, food and water distribution, and other essential services. Their participation is a cornerstone of the event's organisational structure and reflects the Mission's long-standing emphasis on selfless volunteerism.
Emergency preparedness has also been prioritised: the government has stationed 25 ambulances on site, while the Mission has arranged 10 additional ambulances — including five specialised life-saving units. Fourteen fire tenders are positioned at strategic points across the sprawling campus.
The Theme: Awakening Humanity
The theme of 'Jagriti' is central to this year's proceedings. Organisers say the Samagam aims to awaken individuals to the true purpose of life — encouraging them to transcend mutual prejudices, respect others and commit to the service of humanity. Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj is expected to deliver discourses reinforcing these values and guiding the congregation towards spiritual and moral upliftment.
Secretary Sukhija elaborated: 'The theme this year is Awakening, encouraging people to understand the purpose of human life, love everyone and serve others with respect.' He also noted that devotees holding various institutional positions will participate, and expressed hope that Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini — who reportedly shares a close bond with the Mission — will attend.
Global Congregation, Local Roots
Organisers said the Samagam is expected to draw devotees not only from across India but also from several countries, giving the event a genuinely international character. This comes amid growing global outreach by the Sant Nirankari Mission in recent years. The combination of large-scale logistics, mass volunteerism and a unifying spiritual message is expected to make the 79th Samagam a significant milestone for the Mission's global community.
Point of View
Yet it rarely receives the sustained media attention its scale warrants. With over a lakh unpaid volunteers managing a crowd the size of a mid-tier Indian city, it is as much a study in civic organisation as it is a spiritual event. The reported expectation of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini's presence is worth watching — political patronage of large religious congregations in an election-adjacent environment is a dynamic that deserves scrutiny, even when the event itself is apolitical in stated intent.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sant Nirankari Samagam and when is it held?
The Sant Nirankari Samagam is an annual spiritual congregation organised by the Sant Nirankari Mission, bringing together devotees from across India and abroad for discourses, community service and collective worship. The 79th edition is being held from 24 to 26 October 2026 in Samalkha, near Panipat in Haryana.
How many people are expected to attend the 79th Sant Nirankari Samagam?
Organisers expect close to 10 lakh (one million) devotees to attend the four-day event at the 650-acre venue in Samalkha. Attendees are arriving from various states across India as well as from several countries.
What is the theme of the 79th Nirankari Samagam?
The central theme this year is 'Jagriti', meaning Awakening. The theme aims to inspire individuals to understand the true purpose of human life, transcend prejudice, embrace universal love and dedicate themselves to the service of others.
What safety and infrastructure arrangements have been made at the venue?
The 650-acre site includes 22 toilet blocks, multiple drinking water stations, four langar halls with six distribution zones, and a fully functional medical facility. The government has deployed 25 ambulances and the Mission has added 10 more, including five specialised life-saving units, along with 14 fire tenders at strategic points.
Is Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini expected at the Samagam?
According to Mission Secretary Joginder Sukhija, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini shares a close bond with the Sant Nirankari Mission and organisers are hopeful he will attend this year's Samagam.
