The Punjab Government has recently declared Friday, December 6, 2024, as a public holiday in observance of the Martyrdom Day of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth of the ten Sikh Gurus. Schools, colleges, government offices, boards, corporations, and other institutions would remain closed across the state on this day.
Recently, the Chandigarh administration has declared a notice for a holiday, and all government offices, boards, corporations, and educational institutions will remain closed in Chandigarh also. The Punjab Government has also released a similar notice to schedule this day as a public holiday.
Who was Shri Guru Bahadur Ji?
Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was the ninth of ten gurus of Sikhs. He is revered as the ‘Protector of Humanity’ (Shrisht-di-Chadar). He is known for his spiritual wisdom, bravery, and poetic contributions. His hymns are also included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the central holy scripture of Sikhism.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s martyrdom has been acknowledged as an important occasion in the Sikh community. It is marked as respect for the Guru and his contributions to the Sikhs.
This public holiday will serve as an opportunity for the people of Punjab to pay respect to the guru and celebrate his life and legacy.
Early Life and Teachings
Born on April 1, 1621, in Amritsar, Punjab, Guru Tegh Bahadur was the youngest son of Guru Hargobind ji and Mata Nanki. Initially he was named as Tyag Mal. Later, due to his exceptional bravery and skill in battle, he earned the title of “Tegh Bahadur,” which means brave sword.
From a very young age, he was deeply inclined towards spirituality and showed a keen interest in learning religious books, activities, and practicing meditation. His early teachings also include martial arts, archery, and horse riding.
Throughout his life, he has dedicated himself to protecting humanity and fighting against injustice. During the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, when Sikhs were forced to convert their religion and adopt Islam, Guru Tegh Bahadur was the beacon of hope for the people, who stood against the injustice.
Sacrifice for Justice and Freedom
It was in 1675, Kashmiri Pandits sought Guru Tegh Bahadur’s assistance to protect them against their forced conversion to Islam. With bravery and courage, Guru confronted Emperor Aurangzeb and ultimately sacrificed his life to uphold justice and freedom for his people.
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