Chandigarh, Nov 22: What does it look like when a government positions a spiritual anniversary at the heart of its civic calendar? Punjab’s preparation for the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur offers a revealing model.
Instead of limiting the observance to ceremonial protocol, the state has adopted a format that bridges religious practice, public infrastructure and institutional reform. The large-scale gathering planned at Anandpur Sahib has involved complex planning—transport, security, healthcare and hospitality. Officials say the scale reflects an intention to treat faith gatherings as civic events deserving state-level logistical dignity.
But symbolism has arguably played an even larger role than scale.
The decision to host a drone and light show at a sacred site underscores a deliberate attempt to meet younger citizens where they are—through technology, spectacle and storytelling. The display is expected to depict the Guru’s life in the sky, effectively translating history into contemporary language.
Meanwhile, support for Nagar Kirtans across districts, village-level observances, and community-led programming suggests a decentralised approach that involves not just government agencies, but local institutions. Panchayat grants are being interpreted by many as a recognition that heritage is best honoured closest to the people who carry it.
The proposed legislative sitting at Anandpur Sahib, if held, would likely be the most symbolic moment. A legislative institution entering a spiritual space is not meant as fusion, but as acknowledgement—that the values of freedom, sacrifice and dignity are civic concepts as much as religious ones.
In elevating this anniversary to a civic milestone, Punjab has attempted to demonstrate how a government can, through policy and planning, re-centre history not as nostalgia, but as collective purpose.
