To mark the 350th death anniversary of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, lakhs of devotees are set to attend the Shaheedi Diwas event being held at Ove Maidan in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, today. The coordinating authorities, including the Konkan Divisional Commissioner’s office, Navi Mumbai, Panvel civic bodies, Raigad district administration and police, have made elaborate arrangements for the two-day-long religious congregation. 

 

Nearly 3,000 personnel, backed by over 300 CCTV cameras and a central control room, will monitor crowd movement. A one- to two-kilometre radius around the venue will be designated a restricted vehicular zone. Guru Tegh Bahadur, revered as Hind Di Chadar or Shield of India, was executed in 1675 and is remembered for defending religious freedom. This event is being organised to spread the message of Guru Tegh Bahadur and make people aware of his legacy, sacrifice, compassion, fearlessness, and courage. Akashvani’s correspondent reports that Navi Mumbai is set to witness one of its largest ever religious congregations – Hind – di- Chadar for the next two days beginning today.

 

Nearly 20 lakh devotees are likely to attend the grand event. More than 1000 buses will operate across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region for two days, providing free rides to people visiting the venue. The programme will feature a large 120-acre pandal to accommodate a vast crowd.

 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to attend in person, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to join the event virtually. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, along with several other dignitaries, will also be present. The programme will see participation from around 25 thousand Sikh saints and devotees from Panjab. Arrangements for mass langar, medical camps and proper sanitation will be in place.