Punjab CM Mann pays homage to Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji on Joti-Jot Diwas

Key Takeaways

The Chief Minister's Office of Punjab issued an official tribute on 3 November 2026 marking the Joti-Jot Diwas of Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji .

Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji was the Seventh Sikh Guru, who served from 1644 to 1661 .

He is remembered for maintaining a Sikh cavalry force and running a herbal medicine dispensary offering free treatment to the poor.

The tribute was issued on behalf of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann , who has led the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab since March 2022 .

Punjab governments across parties follow standard protocol of issuing formal homages on Sikh Guru anniversaries as part of recognising the state's religious heritage.

On the solemn occasion of Joti-Jot Diwas, the Chief Minister's Office of Punjab on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, conveyed the state government's reverent tribute to Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji, the Seventh Guru of the Sikhs, on behalf of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Joti-Jot Diwas marks the day a Sikh Guru passed into the eternal light — a date observed with prayer, remembrance, and reflection across Gurdwaras and Sikh households worldwide. The Punjab Government's message paid 'humble homage' to the Guru, honouring his legacy on this sacred anniversary.

The Seventh Guru's enduring legacy

Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji served as the Seventh Sikh Guru from 1644 to 1661. His tenure is remembered for a distinctive blend of spiritual depth and practical compassion — he maintained a standing Sikh cavalry force while simultaneously running one of the earliest known herbal medicine dispensaries, extending free healthcare to the poor regardless of faith. His life embodied the Sikh principle of seva (selfless service), and his gentle, peace-inclined temperament earned him deep reverence across generations.

State protocol and the Sikh calendar

Punjab governments across party lines have long treated formal tributes on Sikh Guru anniversaries as a matter of state protocol, reflecting the religious heritage and demographic fabric of the state. The Aam Aadmi Party government led by Chief Minister Mann since March 2022 has continued this practice consistently, issuing official remembrances on key dates of the Sikh calendar — from Parkash Purabs to Joti-Jot Diwas observances — through the Chief Minister's Office handle on X. For millions of Sikh devotees in Punjab and across the diaspora, such state acknowledgements carry more than symbolic weight — they affirm the government's recognition of a living, practised faith at the heart of the region's identity. As the Sikh calendar moves through its cycle of remembrance, the government's tribute today is both a gesture of institutional continuity and a moment for the faithful to pause and reflect on a Guru whose compassion stretched across every boundary.

Point of View

Reflecting Punjab's deeply Sikh cultural and demographic identity. For the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government, consistent engagement with the Sikh religious calendar reinforces its positioning as a government attuned to the faith and sentiment of its majority community. These observances, while ceremonial in nature, carry political resonance in a state where religiosity and governance are closely intertwined. The practice also signals continuity of statecraft across party lines, underscoring that certain acts of public piety transcend political competition in Punjab.

NationPress

3 Nov 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji?

Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji was the Seventh of the ten Sikh Gurus, who led the Sikh community from 1644 to 1661. He is remembered for his compassion, his herbal medicine dispensary that offered free healthcare to the poor, and for maintaining a standing Sikh cavalry force.

What is Joti-Jot Diwas?

Joti-Jot Diwas is the Sikh observance marking the day a Guru passed into eternal light, equivalent to a death anniversary. It is observed with prayers, remembrance, and reflection at Gurdwaras and in Sikh homes.

What did CM Bhagwant Mann say about Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji?

The Chief Minister's Office of Punjab, on behalf of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, conveyed 'humble homage' to Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji on his Joti-Jot Diwas on 3 November 2026.

Why does the Punjab government issue tributes on Sikh Guru anniversaries?

Punjab governments across parties have followed a standard protocol of issuing formal tributes on Sikh Guru birth and death anniversaries, reflecting the state's Sikh religious heritage and the significance of these dates for the majority population.

When did Bhagwant Mann become Chief Minister of Punjab?

Bhagwant Singh Mann became Chief Minister of Punjab in March 2022, leading the Aam Aadmi Party government in the state.