The three-day annual Shaheedi Jor Mela began at Chamkaur Sahib on Sunday as thousands of devotees from Punjab, other parts of the country and abroad gathered to remember the supreme sacrifice of the elder sons of Guru Gobind Singh — Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh — and the brave Singhs who attained martyrdom while fighting the Mughals.
The Shaheedi Jor Mela of Chamkaur Sahib holds immense historical and spiritual significance in Sikh history. It commemorates the historic Battle of Chamkaur (1704), where the Sahibzadas embraced martyrdom while defending righteousness against overwhelming odds.
Since early morning, pilgrims could be seen paying obeisance at Gurdwara Shri Katalgarh Sahib, the site associated with the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas. Ragi and Dhadi jathas filled the air with soul-stirring katha, kirtan and ballads narrating tales of bravery, drawing listeners into the turbulent days of 1704. Visitors said the recitations made history come alive, allowing them to emotionally connect with the sacrifices of the Guru’s family.
A major highlight of the first day was the arrival of nagar kirtans from different parts of Ropar district. Early in the morning, a large nagar kirtan set out from Anandpur Sahib, retracing the spiritual memory of the day when Guru Gobind Singh and his family were forced to leave Anandpur Sahib under trying circumstances. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains also participated in the nagar kirtan.
Additional nagar kirtans also reached Chamkaur Sahib from nearby villages, carrying Guru Granth Sahib amid chanting of hymns and the beating of traditional nagaras. The processions were warmly received by the gurdwara management and local residents.
Nagar Kirtans started from Gurdwara Pariwar Vichora Sahib, the site from where the family of Guru Gobind Singh took separate paths with Guru Gobind Singh, Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh crossing the Sirsa river with handful Sikhs and heading towards Chamkaur Sahib, and Mata Gujri along with younger Sahibzadas heading to Ropar. Today early morning, Sikhs mounted on 45 horses crossed the Sirsa as symbolic remembrance of the event.
Visitors described the atmosphere as deeply moving. “Walking behind the nagar kirtan, one feels the pain and pride of our history together. It reminds us of the night when Guru Gobind Singh left Anandpur Sahib with his family and Sikhs, facing unimaginable hardships,” said a devotee from the Doaba region.
Community langars organised by village associations lined the Chamkaur Sahib town, offering food and refreshments to pilgrims round the clock, reinforcing the Sikh tradition of sewa and equality.
To ensure smooth conduct of the mela, the district administration has put in place elaborate security arrangements. Senior police officials remained stationed in the town, overseeing crowd management and traffic, while volunteers assisted elderly pilgrims.
The Shaheedi Jod Mela at Chamkaur Sahib will continue till December 22, with religious divans scheduled throughout the day and night, allowing devotees to immerse themselves in remembrance of sacrifice, faith and resilience that continue to inspire generations.