Veer Bal Diwas: Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib - A Beacon of Inspiration

Chandigarh, Dec 25 (NationPress) The annual three-day gathering, officially referred to as 'Shaheedi Sabha', commenced in the town of Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, to honor the martyrdom of the youngest sons of Guru Gobind Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, along with their mother Mata Gujri.

These three individuals were captured during a surprise attack by Mughal forces in 1704.

On December 26, 1704, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh were bricked alive by the orders of Wazir Khan, the Mughal faujdar of Sirhind, for refusing to abandon their faith.

At the time, Zorawar Singh was merely nine years old, while Fateh Singh was just seven. Following their martyrdom, their grandmother, Mata Gujri (the mother of Guru Gobind Singh), succumbed to shock.

The Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib now stands at the site where the two Chote Sahibzades were martyred, lovingly referred to as Sahibzades.

Since then, the sacred land of Fatehgarh Sahib has become a source of inspiration not only for Sikhs but for all of humanity, as tens of thousands gather there annually to pay their respects to the Chotte Sahibzades and Mata Gujri on their martyrdom day.

The extraordinary sacrifice made by the younger Sahibzadas at such a young age is unparalleled in world history.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann praised the unparalleled sacrifice of the Chotta Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri, describing it as a guiding light for future generations to stand against tyranny, oppression, and injustice.

During his visit to Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib on Monday, the Chief Minister lauded the supreme sacrifice made by the Chotta Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri, emphasizing that these sacrifices are unmatched in the chronicles of human history.

The entire state of Punjab has observed this month as a ‘month of mourning’, remembering the time when the Chotta Sahibzadas were bricked alive by tyrannical rulers.

To manage the crowds during the Shaheedi Sabha, a robust force of 3,200 police personnel has been deployed to ensure comprehensive security arrangements.

Special Director General of Police (Law and Order), Arpit Shukla, visited Fatehgarh Sahib to review the security measures in place, ensuring the event proceeds smoothly and securely in the district.

He advised officers to maintain a humble attitude towards the sangat, working with dedication and determination to make this event successful.

The police have introduced several new measures to ensure a peaceful and smooth conduct of the Shaheedi Sabha this year, allowing pilgrims to pay their respects to the Chotte Sahibzade without any inconvenience.

A total of 20 parking areas have been designated, and the shuttle bus service between the parking zone and Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib has been expanded to 100 buses for the devotees’ convenience. The entire city has been transformed into a one-way traffic system.

The area has been divided into five sectors, and a designated VIP route, which also serves as an emergency route, has been established. Extensive support from volunteers from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Khalsa Aid, National Cadet Corps (NCC), and other NGOs has been utilized.

Special DGP Shukla mentioned that drones have been deployed to oversee traffic and parking management. Six help centers, comprising a police desk, an information desk, and medical aid, have also been set up to assist devotees arriving from across the nation.