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Anandpur Sahib, Talwandi Sabo and Galiara, close to Golden Temple in Amritsar declared 'holy cities'

CHANDIGARH: The cities of Anandpur Sahib, Talwandi Sabo and the Galiara around the Golden Temple in Amritsar have been accorded the status of 'holy cities' in the special Vidhan Sabha session at Anandpur Sahib to mark the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur. This is the first time in the history of the State that a session was held outside the assembly building in Chandigarh. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a special session of the Punjab Assembly and was unanimously passed. Mann said that along with this, an interfaith committee related to all religious institutions in these holy cities will be formed, comprising representatives of all faiths. He said that the Punjab Government will make dedicated efforts for the development, cleanliness, security, and promotion of religious tourism in these holy cities. He also said that the state government will allocate the necessary budget, and also seek funds from the Central Government, as this is imperative to perpetuate the legacy of these towns for the next generations. Meanwhile, Mann said that as a humble tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur, the State government has organised a series of events across the State to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day. He said that todays session was part of these events, only adding that the sacrifice made by Guru Tegh Bahadur was supreme and unprecedented, as it was aimed at protecting the religion of others. He said that Guru Tegh Bahadur made the supreme sacrifice to protect the religious rights of humanity to set an example for the world. Mann said that these functions will continue and be held across the State in the coming years, too. He added that every year, events will be organised to mark the martyrdom day. He also remarked that the State government has made elaborate arrangements for facilitating the devotees coming to the holy city to pay their reverence. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and National Convener of AAP Arvind Kejriwal said that for decades, people have been seeking holy city status for these towns. They said that there are five Takhts of Sikhs, out of which three are Akal Takht (Amritsar), Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda) and Takht Keshgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib). They said that the sale and use of meat, liquor, tobacco, and other intoxicants will be prohibited in these cities to fulfil the long-pending demand of the devotees. They also said that these cities are not just religious centres but also symbols of our civilizational heritage, adding that, therefore, this demand is not confined to any single political party, community, or religion, but rather an essential step towards the preservation and global promotion of our cultural heritage. Kejriwal and Mann said that the state government will ensure the holistic development of these cities, besides accelerating religious tourism. Earlier, the House also passed another resolution to draw inspiration from Guru Tegh Bahadur's life and teachings to work towards the welfare and prosperity of the people of Punjab, promoting peace, tolerance and harmony in society. According to a resolution moved by Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, the House expressed its deepest reverence and humbly bowed down to the Sikh Guru in respect, devotion and faith. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa also spoke about the supreme sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur, saying it is a moving testament to his unwavering commitment to the principles of freedom of religion and human dignity. Notably, Bajwa raised the issues of Chandigarh, Panjab University, the pending rural development fund and the water sharing issue and said all Punjabis should come together for the state's rights. In a veiled attack on the BJP-led Centre, Bajwa said attempts were being made to ewrite history. A makeshift assembly hall was created at Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial Park in Anandpur Sahib for the special session, replicating the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh. The state government is organising an elaborate three-day event from November 23 to 25 to commemorate the ninth Sikh masters martyrdom in 1675. On November 25, the government will organise state-wide blood donation and plantation drives, Sarbat Da Bhalla congregation and a drone show. The events are also dedicated to Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Dyala, who were also martyred along with the Guru. A 360-degree mixed reality (MR) experience has been introduced by the government, aiming at bringing Guru Teg Bahadurs legacy closer to the younger generation. Thus, QR codes have been placed at the event venue, which will allow visitors to access the MR experience through a smartphone scan, bridging technology and spiritual devotion. The interactive journey blends virtual storytelling with real-world surroundings to portray key episodes from the life of the ninth Sikh Guru. The MR layer has been developed with the support of Flam, and the augmented reality technology creates immersive visuals while highlighting the teachings and sacrifice of Guru Teg Bahadur. The central feature of the experience, entitled The Eternal Flame of Sacrifice, recreates 11 significant moments from the Gurus life. These include his coronation, standing for religious freedom, his martyrdom at Chandni Chowk, and the secret cremation at Rakab Ganj Sahib. Each segment is presented with detailed visuals, authentic narration, and references from the Guru Granth Sahib and preserved historical records.