Punjab Govt Greets Sangat on Guru Ram Das Gurgaddi Divas
Synopsis
The Chief Minister's Office of Punjab greeted the Sikh sangat on Gurgaddi Divas of the Fourth Guru, Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji — the saint-founder of Amritsar — on 24 September 2026, reaffirming the state's tradition of honouring key Sikh milestones.
Key Takeaways
The CMO Punjab officially greeted all Sikh congregations on the Gurgaddi Divas of the Fourth Sikh Guru on 24 September 2026 .
Sri Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji (1534–1581) founded the city of Amritsar , originally called Ramdaspur , and initiated excavation of the Amrit Sarovar .
His compositions in the Guru Granth Sahib include the Laavan — hymns central to the Sikh wedding ceremony.
The message was posted by the Chief Minister's Office under CM Bhagwant Mann , consistent with Punjab's tradition of marking major Sikh anniversaries officially.
Amritsar , home to the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) , remains the holiest city in Sikhism and a global pilgrimage destination.
The Chief Minister's Office of Punjab extended heartfelt greetings to the Sikh community on Thursday, 24 September 2026, marking the Gurgaddi Divas of the Fourth Sikh Guru — Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji — the visionary saint who founded the holy city of Sri Amritsar Sahib.
The CMO's post in Punjabi reads: 'Punjab Sarkar pavitter nagri Sri Amritsar Sahib de baani chauthe Patshah Dhan-Dhan Sri Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji de Gurgaddi Divas mauke samooh sangtaan nu lakh-lakh vadhaiyaan dindi hai' — 'The Punjab Government extends a hundred-thousand congratulations to the entire Sangat (congregation) on the Gurgaddi Divas of the fourth Patshah, Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji, founder of the holy city of Sri Amritsar Sahib.'
Who Was Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji?
Born in 1534 and serving as the Fourth Sikh Guru until his passing in 1581, Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji holds a singular place in Sikh history. He established the settlement of Ramdaspur — the city that would grow into modern Amritsar — and initiated excavation of the sacred pool that would eventually become the Amrit Sarovar, giving the city its name. His compositions, woven into the Guru Granth Sahib, include the celebrated Laavan, the four hymns recited at Sikh wedding ceremonies the world over. Gurgaddi Divas marks the occasion on which he ascended to the GurbChair — the spiritual throne of the Sikh Gurus.
Punjab Government's Tradition of Honouring Sikh Anniversaries
Issuances like this from the CMO Punjab under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann are a consistent feature of the state's official calendar. Punjab governments across administrations have formally acknowledged key Sikh anniversaries and Gurpurab dates as an expression of the state's deep cultural and religious identity — and as a gesture of solidarity with Sikh sangats at home and across the global diaspora. The Golden Temple in Amritsar, the holiest shrine in Sikhism, draws millions of pilgrims each year, making the city's founding story a living, breathing reality rather than distant history.
On a day when congregations gather in prayer and remembrance, Punjab's government chose its first morning message to honour the Guru who put Amritsar on the map — a city, and a faith, that continue to define the state's soul.
Point of View
Led by Bhagwant Mann, consistently uses official channels to affirm its alignment with Sikh religious sentiment, a politically significant constituency in the state. Marking the Gurgaddi Divas of the Guru who literally built Amritsar reinforces the government's claim to cultural custodianship of Punjab's Sikh heritage. Such gestures also carry resonance for the large Punjabi diaspora globally, for whom anniversaries tied to the Gurus remain deeply emotional occasions. Over time, these official acknowledgements form part of a broader pattern of state-faith engagement that no Punjab government — regardless of party — has found it prudent to sidestep.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gurgaddi Divas?
Gurgaddi Divas marks the day a Sikh Guru ascended to the Gurbchair — the spiritual throne — of the Sikh faith. Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji's Gurgaddi Divas commemorates the occasion he became the Fourth Sikh Guru.
Who was Sri Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji?
Sri Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji (1534–1581) was the Fourth Sikh Guru. He founded the city of Amritsar, originally called Ramdaspur, initiated the Amrit Sarovar, and composed hymns — including the Laavan — included in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Why is Guru Ram Das important to Amritsar?
Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji founded the settlement of Ramdaspur, which grew into modern Amritsar. He also began the excavation of the sacred pool — the Amrit Sarovar — that gave the city its name and later became the site of the Golden Temple.
Who issued the Gurgaddi Divas 2026 greetings for Punjab?
The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) of Punjab, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, issued the official greetings on 24 September 2026 via the government's official X account.
What is the significance of the Laavan in Sikhism?
The Laavan are four hymns composed by Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji that are recited during the Anand Karaj — the Sikh wedding ceremony — making them one of his most enduring spiritual contributions to the Sikh way of life.
