Despite the chilly winds and temperatures lingering between 8 to 9 degrees Celsius, the Sureshchandra Suri Ground in Nara, Nagpur, was filled with warmth and devotion on Sunday. The Maharashtra government organized the 'Hind-di-Chadar' event to solemnly commemorate the 350th Martyrdom Day of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur.
A Day of Sacred Music and Hymns
The commemorative event began in the morning with the soulful recitation of 'Asa di Vaar' by Bhai Gopal Singh and his group from Sri Guru Kalgidhar Darbar Gurdwara, Budh Nagar. The spiritual atmosphere was further enriched by the singing of Gurbani hymns by the Istri Satsang Jatha from across Nagpur and the Satsang Mandal from Jaripatka. A special highlight was a group of children, some from as far as Yavatmal, who had prepared for the occasion and recited Shabads. The musical tributes continued with ballads (vaars) by Bibi Daler Kaur and her group, followed by sacred hymns sung by renowned raagis like Bhai Amarjeet Singh from Patiala, Bhai Jagtar Singh and Bhai Jarnail Singh from Amritsar, and Bhai Chamanjeet Singh Lal from Delhi, which lasted till late afternoon.
Spirit of Seva: Camps, Langar, and Community Service
The venue was meticulously organized into various sections dedicated to selfless service. Devotees had access to a blood donation camp, stalls distributing free religious literature, and separate enclosures for serving langar (community kitchen). Many also benefited from free cataract checkup camps and a free OPD set up by the Nara Primary Health Centre. The spirit of 'seva' was palpable, with volunteers from Nagpur and nearby districts managing all activities. Hiramal, a long-time devotee volunteering at the 'joda ghar' (footwear keeping area), noted that such events strengthen community bonds and help people understand the profound spirit of sacrifice taught by the Sikh Gurus.
Martial Arts, Exhibitions, and Crowd Management
A separate stage was dedicated to 'gatka' teams, who displayed live performances of the traditional Sikh martial art. An exhibition titled 'Virasar-e-Sikhi', set up near the main pandal, attracted significant attention. It featured informative slides about the Sikh Gurus, their followers, and Bhagats whose teachings are included in the Guru Granth Sahib. The smooth conduct of the event was ensured by NCC cadets and police personnel, who managed the crowd from the entrance. Nagpur Municipal Corporation sanitation workers also played a crucial role, working tirelessly to keep the entire venue clean throughout the day.
While the Sikh community had already observed the Martyrdom Day on November 25, devotees like Harmeet Singh participated in this state-organized event as an extension of their community service, highlighting the unifying message of Guru Tegh Bahadur's sacrifice for religious freedom.
