Year Ender 2025 : Tourism and Cultural Affairs
350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Eternally Etched in Memory: Tarunpreet Singh Sond
• Punjab Government launched world-class projects for the holistic development of Sri Anandpur Sahib
• Rs 20 crore spent on the memorial of Bhai Jaita Ji and Rs 18 crore to be spent on construction of the Virasti Marg
• Significant steps taken to promote Punjab’s culture, traditional sports and tourism
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Chandigarh, December 18 (WISHAVWARTA):- The Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Punjab, was entrusted with the responsibility of acting as the nodal department for organizing events dedicated to the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji during the year 2025. The Minister for Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, said that the events organized in connection with the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji will remain forever etched in the memory of the devotees. He stated that during 2025, with the blessings of Guru Sahib and under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the successful events organized by the Punjab Government were widely appreciated by devotees across the world.
He informed that Light and Sound shows depicting the life of Guru Sahib were organized in all districts. In addition, a drone show held at Sri Anandpur Sahib from November 20 to 29 attracted the attention of devotees worldwide. From November 23 to 25, devotees from across the globe paid obeisance at Sri Anandpur Sahib, and appreciated the arrangements made by the state government, including the tent city, shuttle bus service, media center, and religious and social programs.
Sond further said that the series of events related to Guru Sahib commenced on October 25 from Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi. Thereafter, besides Light and Sound shows, various religious and educational programs were organized in different districts. On November 18, a Kirtan Darbar was organized in Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir), followed by a Nagar Kirtan on November 19. Nagar Kirtans were also organized from Talwandi Sabo, Faridkot, and Gurdaspur. All four Nagar Kirtans culminated at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22.
He stated that during 2025, the Punjab Government also initiated major works for the comprehensive development of Sri Anandpur Sahib, the sacred land associated with Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. At Sri Anandpur Sahib, five galleries depicting history and dedicated to humanity have been inaugurated at the memorial of Bhai Jaita Ji. The total area of this memorial is 5 acres, out of which the covered area is approximately 2 acres, with a construction area of 3,200 square feet.
The memorial has been completed in two phases. In the first phase, the construction of the building was completed and dedicated in February 2024. In the second phase, dedicated to the public by the Chief Minister in September, five galleries depicting the lives of Guru Sahib and Bhai Jaita Ji have been established within both wings of the building. The first phase involved an expenditure of Rs 17 crore, while the second phase cost Rs 3 crore. At Virasat-e-Khalsa, an exhibition gallery related to the Ninth Guru was also inaugurated by the Chief Minister on November 23.
Sond added that the road leading to the Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, is being developed as a Virasti Marg with white marble. The total cost of this project will be Rs 18 crore. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann laid the foundation stone of this project on October 5, and it is expected to be completed within about 10 months. He said that white marble will be laid along the 580 meter stretch from the main road to Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, and a total of six entrance gates will be constructed.
The Minister said that apart from these major events and projects, the Tourism Department organized Dheeyan Di Lohri in Khanna at the beginning of 2025. Such events play a special role in ensuring equal rights for newborn girls in society and in further improving the state’s sex ratio.
He further informed that important administrative decisions were taken this year for the restoration and conservation of Jahaz Haveli in Fatehgarh Sahib. The Punjab Government initiated the restoration of the historic residence of Diwan Todar Mal, Jahaz Haveli, in Fatehgarh Sahib, thereby taking a significant step toward preserving Sikh heritage. Diwan Todar Mal, who had purchased land for the cremation of Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh, Baba Fateh Singh, and Mata Gujri Ji after their martyrdom, is being honored through the restoration of his haveli to its original form. The work is being carried out under the supervision of the Diwan Todar Mal Heritage Foundation, Punjab.
In addition, to promote Punjab’s culture and preserve the grandeur of traditional sports, a two-day state-level Basant Mela was organized in Ferozepur. One of Punjab’s most prominent sporting events, the Kila Raipur Rural Olympics, was inaugurated by the Minister for Tourism and Cultural Affairs himself. The Patiala Heritage Festival was organized from February 13 to 16, featuring a variety of attractive programs such as a heritage walk, food festival, musical evenings, aero show, nature walk, flower exhibition, and fashion walk.
Concluding, Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that the Punjab Government will continue to work with greater dedication, sincerity, and commitment during 2026 to develop tourism in the state to world-class standards and to promote culture, traditional sports, and festivals.
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