Shaheedi Jor Mela
Shaheedi Jor Mela is organised every year in December at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, in the Fatehgarh Sahib district of Punjab to pay homage to the martyrdom of Baba Zorawar Singh ji and Baba Fateh Singh ji, the two youngest sons of Guru Gobind Singh.
Supreme sacrifice
Both Sahibzada's defied all attempts of Wazir Khan the Mughal Governor of Sirhind, who offered them treasure and easy lives if they would only convert to Islam. Holding steadfast in their will to die as Sikhs, they were first entombed alive by being bricked into a wall, but mere bricks and mortar could not hold the young Sahibzadas, for the wall collapsed and fell to the ground. Then, on 26 December 1705, Baba Fateh Singh ji was cruelly and mercilessly martyred at Sirhind along with his elder brother, Baba Zorawar Singh. He is probably the youngest recorded martyr in history who knowingly and consciously laid down his life at the very tender age of 6 years.
Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, 5 km (3 miles) north of the Sirhind marks the site where the Faujdar (Governor), Wazir Khan had ordered the entombment of the two younger sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh.
Mela Schedule
The first day of the Mela is observed purely in religious spirits. The mela begins December 24 with the Akhand Path of Guru Granth Sahib at gurdwara Jyoti Swarup. Political rallies & meetings are held by various political parties the next day, for which stages are set up near gurdwaras. The Mela conclude on December 26 with nagar kirtan from gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib to gurdwara Jyoti Swarup.
People participation
Lakhs of devotes pay their obeisance at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib and Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup on this historic occasion every year during this three day Jor Mela[3]. All nearby villagers organize langar for the devotees going to visit Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib for the Mela along all the roads leading to the gurdwara. During Mela days, People from far away places come to Sirhind braving the chilly weather to do karsewa (service) of the people who come for the mela. Whether in open tents or tables out in the open, community kitchens serve tea, snacks and meals every mile on the way to Sirhind, no matter the direction people are traveling.
Arrangements
Each year, the district administration makes special arrangements for devotees and people visiting the mela; setting up parking areas, special barricades and nakas to control the flow of traffic. Medical & emergency services are provided and although the Jor Mela is a religious event a heavy contingent of police is normally deployed all around the Mela site for security.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has also been arranging deewan, where Sikh preachers, ragis, dhadi jathas present devotional songs and give the accounts of Sikh history.
