Education and Information and Public Relations Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced that the beautifully decorated Nagar Kirtans arriving from all four directions will reach Sri Anandpur Sahib on Friday, November 22. Devotees are preparing to welcome these processions with great enthusiasm. He added that the combined route length of the Nagar Kirtans coming from Srinagar, Gurdaspur, Faridkot and Talwandi Sabo is one thousand five hundred sixty three kilometers.
Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond stated that under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab government has completed all arrangements in Sri Anandpur Sahib. The focus is on ensuring comfort and safety for the large number of devotees who will gather from November 23 to 25 to observe the three hundred fiftieth martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, and to pay their respects at Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib.
Across all twenty three districts of Punjab, light and sound shows portraying the life and teachings of Guru Sahib have already been held, along with Kirtan Darbars at Baba Bakala, Amritsar and Patiala.
Explaining the upcoming events, Bains said that Sri Akhand Path Sahib will begin on November 23 at the Gurdwara Sahib near Baba Budha Dal Camp, with the Chief Minister and other dignitaries expected to attend. He added that the Chief Minister will also open an exhibition at Virasat e Khalsa that highlights the life and philosophy of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. On the same day, a Sarbat Dharam Conference will take place at the main pandal at Baba Budha Dal Camp, with noted religious leaders and invited guests participating.
On November 24, a Sees Bhent Nagar Kirtan will proceed from Kiratpur Sahib to the memorial of Bhai Jeeta Ji. A Heritage Walk is also scheduled in Sri Anandpur Sahib, covering Gurdwara Bhora Sahib, Gurdwara Sees Ganj Sahib, Guru Tegh Bahadur Museum, Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Qila Anandgarh Sahib and continuing to Virasat e Khalsa. A special session of the Legislative Assembly will also be held at the memorial of Bhai Jeeta Ji. Competitions and demonstrations including Gatka, tent pegging, sword and shield displays, Simran gatherings and other martial events will take place at Charan Ganga Stadium. Drone shows will be hosted at Virasat e Khalsa every evening from November 23 to 29.
On November 25, after the completion of Sri Akhand Path Sahib, a Sarbat Da Bhala congregation will be organized at the main pandal of Baba Budha Dal Camp. The government has arranged extensive facilities for the arrival of lakhs of devotees. Shuttle services will help visitors move easily between parking areas and important locations. All parking zones have been outfitted with CCTV cameras, lighting, barricading, traffic marshals, signboards and mobile toilet units. Existing parking near major religious and cultural landmarks has also been integrated into the plan.
To support the movement of devotees, five hundred e rickshaws, one hundred fifty mini buses, twenty five Urbania vans, fifteen cars, twenty Tata Ace vehicles and ten golf carts have been deployed, with special focus on assisting elderly and differently abled visitors. Shuttle services will connect devotees to Gurdwara Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Virasat e Khalsa, the main pandal, tent cities and help desk points. The entire transport system will be monitored from a central control room with clearly marked pick up zones and guidance staff.
To accommodate the huge influx of visitors, two large tent cities have been set up by the Rupnagar district administration. These are Chakk Nanaki Niwas Tent City and Bhai Mati Das Niwas Tent City, with space for nearly ten thousand devotees.
Emergency services have been strengthened with dedicated ambulances and round the clock medical facilities linked to the main control room. Punjab Police has also put in place a comprehensive security plan, deploying more than eight thousand personnel under senior officers to manage safety, traffic and overall crowd movement throughout the commemorative events.
