AI Generated Summary
- From the moment visitors arrive, the scale of the preparations is evident — heritage monuments gleam under carefully designed lighting, while sprawling tent settlements and a newly built complex echoing the architecture of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha mark a moment of rare historic significance.
- Modeled on the Punjab Assembly in Chandigarh, this grand structure is set to host a historic session of the state legislature on November 24 — the first ever to be held outside the capital.
- The illuminated skyline, the rhythmic chants and the quiet devotion of thousands converge into a moving homage to Guru Tegh Bahadur’s legacy — his stand for truth, the protection of religious freedom and his enduring message of universal compassion.
Anandpur Sahib has taken on an extraordinary new presence as it prepares to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, transforming the sacred city into a sweeping panorama of faith, history and modern spectacle. From the moment visitors arrive, the scale of the preparations is evident — heritage monuments gleam under carefully designed lighting, while sprawling tent settlements and a newly built complex echoing the architecture of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha mark a moment of rare historic significance.
Key landmarks such as Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Virasat-e-Khalsa and the city’s famed forts have been adorned with golden illumination and thematic décor that reflects the life and teachings of the ninth Sikh Guru. Streets are lined with intricate LED designs portraying pivotal moments from Guru Tegh Bahadur’s journey, complemented by heritage-style lamps that cast a serene glow, lending the town an air of spiritual reverence.
Among the most striking features is the temporary Assembly complex constructed at the Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial. Modeled on the Punjab Assembly in Chandigarh, this grand structure is set to host a historic session of the state legislature on November 24 — the first ever to be held outside the capital. In the days leading up to the event, workers have been busy with final touches, from installing signage to arranging seating, as heightened security measures ensure a tightly guarded environment.
For residents, the occasion is deeply emotional. “It’s something we never imagined seeing here,” remarked a local shopkeeper, capturing the sentiment of a community witnessing history unfold in its own backyard.
Security across the city reflects the event’s significance. More than 8,000 police officers have been deployed, supported by advanced surveillance systems including facial recognition technology and vehicle tracking. Anandpur Sahib has been segmented into 25 security zones, each overseen by sub-control rooms, while real-time traffic data from IIT-Ropar’s digital dashboard guides the flow of vehicles across dozens of monitored parking areas.
Transportation arrangements have also been carefully planned to accommodate the influx of pilgrims. Shuttle services run continuously, with e-rickshaws assisting elderly devotees from remote parking areas and mini-buses ferrying visitors between major sites such as Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Virasat-e-Khalsa, the main congregation area and tent cities. These makeshift townships, named “Chak Nanki Niwas” and “Bhai Mati Das Niwas,” spread over 81 acres and are equipped to house nearly 10,000 pilgrims, their orderly white tents forming neat corridors against the open fields.
The spiritual energy is further amplified by the constant echo of nagar kirtans arriving from surrounding villages, merging devotion with celebration. Adding a modern touch, nightly drone shows at Virasat-e-Khalsa are set to bring Guru Tegh Bahadur’s life story to the sky through coordinated visuals, lasers and sound, as technicians fine-tune performances that promise to captivate audiences.
As evening descends, Anandpur Sahib becomes a vision of light and devotion. The illuminated skyline, the rhythmic chants and the quiet devotion of thousands converge into a moving homage to Guru Tegh Bahadur’s legacy — his stand for truth, the protection of religious freedom and his enduring message of universal compassion.
