2022 marks the 400th Parkash Gurupurab(Birth Anniversary) of the ninth guru of Sikhs, Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh Ji. Guru Tegh was the youngest son of the sixth Guru Hargobind Singh Ji. On this occasion, PM Narendra Modi will pay tribute to Guru Sahib and will address the nation from the Red Fort on the occasion. Red Fort is all lightened up and prepared to celebrate the Gurupurab today at 9:15 pm with PM Modi's speech. The Central government has announced that they will be releasing special coins and postage stamps on this auspicious occasion of Guru Sahib. "Guru Tegh Bahadur Simareeai Ghar Nao Nidh Aavai Dhae"- Meditating on Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji results in nine treasures rushing into one’s home.
People celebrate the religious Gurupurab by holding Shabad and kirtan at Gurudwara. Stories of freedom and struggle by the Sikh Guru are recited along with it to make people aware of their Guru's struggles. Langer is served along with sweets to celebrate Parkash Gurupurab. Guru Tegh Bahadur is known for his devotion to Guru Nanak Dev Ji's teachings. He believed that strength should be gained in a person by freedom from all fears and dependence on others.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was born in 1621 to Guru Hargobind Singh Ji and Mata Gujri Ji. He is known for his sacrifice for religious freedom. He is regarded as the Savior Guru of Sikhism. Guru Sahib is known as Hind di Chadar for sacrificing his life for the Hindu religion. He stood for the protection of Hindu people who were being forced by Mughals to convert to Islam.
He fought for the fundamental rights of humans- the right which grants us the free choice to practice any religion or belief. In early 1675, Kashmiri pandits visited Gurudwara Anadpur Sahib where Guru Tegh Bahadur was residing to ask for help against the forcible conversion of religion by Mughals. Guru Sahib replied to those helpless pandits- Tell the Mughal emperor that if he can convert me into Islam then we will all take up Islam as our religion.
Guru Sahib along with his disciples- Bhai Mati das, Bhai Dyal Das, and Bhai Sati das were tortured to death by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb . Tegh Bahadur Ji was caged in a nailed cage box and inhumanly treated. His three companions were boiled in a cauldron, roasted alive in the fire, and were sawn alive in front of Guru Sahib.
After that, the Mughal emperor brought Guru Sahib with his disciples and Kashmiri Pandits to Delhi. They were then asked to either accept Islam or face the death sentence. Guru asserted that he would not give up on his Sikh religion and faith to convert to Islam. He remained firm to even face the death penalty for it but did not change his words to convert.
Eventually, Guru Sahib was sentenced to death by the emperor. He was beheaded on the accusation that he was standing as a block in the way to spread Islam, he was beheaded in India Chandni Chowk Sis Ganj Gurudwara. He is from the era known as the Shield of India.
Thousands of humans were killed for following their religion and basic fundamental rights. The tree under which Guru has beheaded stands till date in Chandni Chowk along with the well where Guru took bath while he was imprisoned by the Emperor. The well is built inside Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib. The place of torture/inhuman torture also stands to date to pay tribute to those warriors it built next to Gurudwara Sis Ganj.
One Of Guru Sahib's disciples Bhai Lakhi Shah Vnajara protected his Guru's beheaded body from public viewing and disrespect. He recovered the body in darkness and then set his own house on fire to cremate Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's Body in Delhi. (Photo Source: Kalgidhar Trust)
Guru's head was carried by Bhai Jaita all the way to Kiratpur Sahib to hand it over to Guru Sahib's son and tenth Guru of Sikhism- Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The head was then cremated by his son in Anandpur Sahib. Gurudwara Sri Bibangarh in Kiratpur Sahib was the place where the beheaded Guru was recited by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.( Photo Source: Pininterest)
Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib is built to mark the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. The Gurudwara is situated on the location where Guru Sahib was beheaded on the order of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The orders came after Guru refused to leave his Sikhi(Sikh religion) and convert to Islam forcefully. Guru Sahib was beheaded at this gurudwara of Chandni Chowk in 1675. (Photo Source: Trip Advisor)
