In view of the ongoing Shaheedi Jor Mela at Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab, Northern Railway has decided to provide a temporary two-minute stoppage to 12 long-route trains at the Sirhind railway station from December 25 to December 27 to facilitate devotees visiting the historic gurdwaras in the district, which are about 5 km away from the railway station.
According to NR, the trains, which otherwise do not have a scheduled halt at Sirhind, will stop briefly for three days as a special arrangement for pilgrims. A video released by NR stated that the decision was taken with the large number of devotees arriving from different parts of the country to attend the three-day Shaheedi Sabha in Fatehgarh Sahib district in mind.
Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu said the decision reflects the Union government’s focus on public convenience.
“As the number of devotees coming from various parts of the country is increasing, it has been decided to provide train stoppages at Sirhind for their convenience. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has made these special efforts to remember the unparalleled sacrifice of Sahibzadas,” he said, adding that the trains will halt for two minutes.
The Shaheedi Sabha is being observed from December 25 to 27 at the historic gurdwaras in Fatehgarh Sahib, about 5 km from the Sirhind railway station.
Sirhind holds a unique and revered place in Sikh history. It was here, in December 1705, that the youngest Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh — Sahibzada Zorawar Singh ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh ji — were martyred after refusing to renounce their faith before the Mughal governor Wazir Khan. Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib stands at the site of their martyrdom, while Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup Sahib and Gurdwara Thanda Burj, also located nearby, are associated with the same period.
In the same month, the elder Sahibzadas — Sahibzada Ajit Singh ji and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh ji — attained martyrdom at Chamkaur Sahib, fighting against Mughal forces during the Battle of Chamkaur. The martyrdom of all four Sahibzadas within a single month remains one of the most defining chapters of sacrifice and courage in Sikh history.