RUPNAGAR, November 24 — Anandpur Sahib has begun hosting thousands of devotees and preparations for major state ceremonies as the Punjab Legislative Assembly prepares to convene an off-site sitting to coincide with the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Governor Gulab Chand Kataria invoked Article 174(1) to summon the Assembly to meet at 1 p.m. at the Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial. Officials noted that the rare move aims to link the House proceedings directly with the commemorations unfolding across the city.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the three-day programme, running from November 23 to 25, is intended to honour the life and ideals of the Ninth Sikh Guru. “People from every corner of the country and from overseas are welcome,” Mann said, adding that the moment provides a chance “to understand his supreme sacrifice.”
On Tuesday, Mann and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal visited Srinagar’s Gurdwara Chatti Patshahi for a Kirtan Darbar, where Mann announced a special jathha would travel from Kashmir toward Anandpur Sahib, accompanied by Kashmiri Pandits. The procession is routed through Jammu, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Dasuya and Garhshankar, and is expected to reach on November 22.
Three additional jathhas from Amritsar Sahib, Damdama Sahib and Tarn Taran Sahib will converge in the town on November 22 and 23. Officials said an all-faith convention, devotional programmes, a drone display and a light-and-sound performance portraying Guru Tegh Bahadur’s life will take place on November 23 and 24.
Mann noted that the convention will witness decisions “never taken before,” and said Anandpur Sahib, founded by Guru Tegh Bahadur in the 17th century, stands as a symbolic point of reflection for Sikh history.
The session comes days after AAP retained the Tarn Taran seat, where Harmeet Singh Sandhu secured a 12,091-vote margin in the Assembly bypoll.
