CHANDIGARH: On the 350th martyrdom year of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, the entire month of November this year in Punjab is dedicated to devotion and seva. The ninth Guru gave his head for the protection of religion, humanity and the weak. Therefore, the Punjab government took the historic decision to celebrate November 2025 as “Shaheedi Smaran Maah” (Martyrdom Remembrance Month). This is the first time that such large programs are being held continuously for a whole month at the government level across the entire state.
The programs started from 1st November. Daily morning and evening kirtan, ardas and katha are happening in gurdwaras of every district. So far, more than 12 lakh devotees have participated in these gatherings. In big cities - Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Jalandhar, Shri Anandpur Sahib and Shri Fatehgarh Sahib - daily “Shaheedi Kirtan Darbars” are being held, where sangat is coming from Punjab and outside as well. Nagar-Kirtans are being taken out on main markets and routes of cities. The administration has deployed additional police, homeguard and medical teams for security and traffic throughout the month.
The Mann government decided that Guru Sahib’s teachings should not remain limited to tributes only, but should reach seva and society. For this reason, more than 500 seva camps have been set up across Punjab. In many of these places, langar runs daily. The Health Department has set up 220 medical camps, in which about 1.4 lakh people had free checkups and were given medicines.
The Education Department has also started a “Moral Education Drive” across the state. More than 10 lakh students in over 20 thousand schools and colleges participated in essays, poetry, posters, speeches and cultural programs. Children were told that the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is not just history, but the greatest example of protecting humanity. The government’s “Digital Documentary Series” has been viewed lakhs of times online. For the first time, the state government has connected religious and cultural history with technology and reached every household.
Today on 10th November, special kirtan and ardas are happening across the state. Thousands of sangat are reaching Amritsar and Shri Anandpur Sahib. Management committees have prepared for cleaning, lighting, water, parking and security throughout the night. District-by-district control rooms have been set up so that devotees don’t face any kind of problem. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is the biggest example of religious freedom. The government’s aim is that every child of Punjab understands that religion doesn’t mean hatred, but brotherhood, courage and humanity. In the remaining days of November, seminars and discussions on “humanity and religious freedom” will also be held in schools and universities.