PM Modi in Kurukshetra: Honoring Guru Tegh Bahadur's 350th Martyrdom Anniversary

PM Modi witnessed the cultural performance at the venue, including a sand painting performance depicting the life of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

PM Modi will also address the gathering and release a special Coin and Commemorative stamp marking the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of the revered Guru, Tegh Bahadur Ji.

Upon reaching Kurukshetra after his engagements in Ayodhya, PM Modi inaugurated 'Panchjanya', constructed in honour of the sacred conch of Lord Krishna, in Haryana's Kurukshetra. He was accompanied by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.

Thereafter, PM Modi visited the Mahabharata Anubhav Kendra, an immersive experiential centre that features installations depicting significant episodes from the Mahabharata, highlighting its enduring cultural and spiritual significance.

Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth of the ten Sikh Gurus, a revered spiritual leader, philosopher, poet, and warrior, honoured as the "Protector of humanity" (Hind di Chadar). He led the Sikh community from 1665 until his martyrdom in 1675. His 115 hymns (Shlok Mahalla 9) are a vital part of the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of Sikhism. His writings explore themes of the nature of God, human attachment, sorrow, death, and the importance of a selfless life.

PM Modi reached Kurukshetra after ceremonially hoisting the saffron flag atop the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple's 191-foot-high shikhar in Ayodhya, symbolising the completion of the temple's construction.

The 'Dharma Dhwaj' carries three sacred symbols, Om, the Sun and the Kovidara tree, each representing profound spiritual values rooted in the Sanatan tradition. The right-angled triangular flag measures 10 feet in height and 20 feet in length.

The Kovidar tree is a hybrid of the Mandar and Parijat trees, created by Rishi Kashyap, showcasing ancient plant hybridisation. The Sun represents Lord Ram's Suryavansh lineage, and Om is the eternal spiritual sound.

Addressing the gathering at the 'Dwajarohan' ceremony, PM Modi said that India and the world have become "Ram-may" as he described the installation of the Dharma Dhwaja atop the Ram Temple as a moment that heals "wounds of centuries" and marks the fulfilment of a civilisational resolve kept alive for 500 years.

"Today, the entire India and the world is Ram-may. There is extraordinary satisfaction in the heart of every Ram devotee. There is boundless gratitude. There is unfathomable supernatural bliss. The wounds of centuries are being healed. The pain of centuries is being put to rest today. The resolve of centuries is being fulfilled today. Today is the completion of that sacrifice whose fire remained lit for 500 years," he said.

- ANI