Guru Tegh Bahadur's Martyrdom Day 2013 is on November 24. The day memorializes the death anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, who was the ninth Sikh guru. He is remembered for his utmost sacrifice for the benefit of religious freedom. This day is considered as one among the most important days according to the Sikh calendar.
Guru Tegh Bahadur - The Ninth Master
Guru Tegh Bahadur, who was born on April 1 in the year 1621 at Amritsar, was the youngest son of Guru Hargobind Singh and Bibi Nanki. From his childhood days, Tegh Bahadur was trained in the martial arts of swordsmanship and horse riding together with the required religious training by Bhai Gurdas and Baba Buddha. During his young age, Tegh Bahadur, along with his father, participated in the fight for religious freedom.
After the 1634 battle of Kartarpur, he headed towards the path of meditation and self-sacrifice. Furthermore, he spent nine years of his life with his father at Kiratpur before getting settled at the isolated village located in Bakala in the year 1656. At this place, the Guru got retired to a life of Self-sacrifice. The Guru was also recognized by the name of 'Tyag Mal', which means 'the master of renunciation'.
Customs, Activities & Traditions Connected With The Martyrdom
The Martyrdom Day of Guru Tegh Bahadur is considered as one among the most valued Sikh festivals. In most of the Sikh festivals, the Sikhs organize parade and ‘Prabhat Pheris’ (early morning parade). The Panj Pyares (5 beloved ones) lead this holy march, followed by the musicians, a number of devotees and a few people performing martial arts. The holy scriptures of the ten Sikh Gurus are uttered during the parade. Other than this, religious lectures are also carried out to let the people get familiar with the teachings of Guru.
The sufferings of Guru Tegh Bahadur
Guru Tegh Bahadur was subjected to numerous cruelties. He was trapped in a cage and starved for several days. Guru Tegh Bahadur, the brave heart, was made to witness the terrifying acts carried out with some of the devoted Sikhs. The Guru tolerated these cruelties without flinching or showing any sort of distress or anger.
Finally, on the eighth day of the dark half of the Hindu month Kartik in the Vikram Samvat (Hindu year) 1732 Rakhtakshi (as per Gregorian calendar, the date was 11th of November, 1675), the Guru was openly beheaded using a sword. Consequently, the life of the ninth Sikh guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur came to an end!
