350th Martyrdom Year Of Guru Tegh Bahadur: Sacred Weapons Of Sikh Gurus And Martyrs To Be Displayed In Mumbai

The city's Sikh community has brought the sacred shastras (weapons) of Guru Sahibans and Shaheed Singhs to Mumbai for a special exhibition commemorating the 350th martyrdom year of Guru Tegh Bahadur.

The relics, flown in from Punjab, were accompanied by Singh Sahib Jathedar Baba Balbir Singh and Mukhi of Nihang Singh Jathebandi Budha Dal. The shastras will be available for darshan at NESCO Exhibition Centre, Goregaon, on Saturday, March 8, from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. The event will be attended by jathedars (leaders) of all Sikh takhts (religious seats).

The weapons on display belonged to Guru Hargobind Singh, the sixth of the 10 Sikh Gurus, as well as Sahibzada Fateh Singh, Shaheed Baba Deep Singh, Baba Phoola Singh Akali, and Baba Jassa Singh Ramgarhia. The collection includes swords, khanjars (daggers), and the dhal (shield) of Sahibzada Fateh Singh, the youngest son of Guru Gobind Singh, who was martyred in 1705 at the age of seven.

The darshan has been organized by the Western Mumbai Gurdwaras' Unity, an association of 40 gurdwaras, with the support of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Chief Khalsa Diwan, and Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Mumbai.

Avtar Singh Sachdeva, president of the Western Mumbai Gurdwaras' Unity, emphasized the significance of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom, stating: "He made the ultimate sacrifice, laying down his life to protect the rights of others to practice their faith without persecution. His martyrdom stands as a testament to the enduring bond between the Sikh and Hindu communities and highlights the importance of interfaith harmony."

To mark the anniversary, the Sikh community has planned a series of programs throughout the year to highlight Guru Tegh Bahadur’s sacrifice and its relevance to contemporary society, said Jasbir Singh Dham, a member of the organizing group.