FATEHGARH SAHIB - It was a virtual sea of humanity at the annual three-day Shaheedi Jor Mela that recognizes the sacrifice of the two younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh. For most of the thousands who came to pay obeisance to the younger of the four sahibjadas, it took more than four hours to reach the main gurdwara, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib.

Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike came from all parts of the country, braving the biting cold. Gurdev Singh, 50, of Ludhiana said, "Now that I have participated in this momentous event, what more can I wish for in my Life?"

The mela was also an occasion for children to learn about their religion and history. "Here my children can pick up a lot by just looking around," said Manjit Kaur, who came from Chandigarh with her family.

Flags bearing the words ‘Raj Karega Khalsa’ turned the entire city kesari. Images of Mata Gurji, Guru Gobind Singh’s mother, and the sahibzadas’ grandmother, were seen all over the city.

Political functions as well as religious functions - dhadi darbars and kavi darbars - were held at the mela. The sprit of seva was visible from all roads leading to the mela. Hundreds of langars were set up at roadsides leading to the gurdwara. Food and tea were abundant. The langars began on December 23 and will continue till December 26, following the conclusion of the mela.

Villagers pooled money for the langars. Moved by the occasion, even passersby donated money. Organizers of one langars said they had been setting up their langar for more than a decade on the same spot. Devotees from as far away as Haryana came to set up langars.

The rush of vehicles to Fatehgarh Sahib was a challenge for the traffic police, even though they had issued passes for the mela.

Dr Gurmohan Singh, principal of Mata Gujri College, said that he was surprised to see the devotion of people who had come from far-flung areas to pay tributes to the sahibjadas.

Fatehgarh Sahib SSP Paramraj Singh said that district police made elaborate arrangements for the devotees and no incident happened by the second day.

Fatehgarh Sahib Deputy Commissioner Jaspreet Talwar said that people of the area cooperated with the district administration to assure that the event went smoothly.


Note: Report by Gurpreet Singh, SikhNN, Punjab.
gsingh@sikhnn.com