Guru Amar Das Ji chose Maghi as one of the three festivals to be celebrated by Sikhs, the other being Baisakhi and Diwali Mela. Maghi, hel...
Guru Amar Das Ji chose Maghi as one of the three festivals to be celebrated by Sikhs, the other being
Baisakhi and Diwali Mela. Maghi, held at the holy city of Sri Muktsar Sahib each year in January, or
the month of Magh according to the Nanakshahi calendar ius one of the most important fairs of
India.
After the battle of Muktsar which took place in December 1705 and the cremation of martyrs taking
place the next day on the day of Maghi, it came to be associated with the fortysikhs and the battle of
Muktsar.
The Maghi fair is held to honour the memory of the forty Sikh warriors killed during the Battle of
Muktsar in 1705. Muktsar. originally called Khidrana, was named as Muktsar (‘the pool of
liberation’) following the battle. These forty Sikhs, led by their leader Mahan Singh, had formally
deserted Sri Guru Gobind Singh in the hour of need and signed a written memorandum to the effect.
When Mai Bhago, a valiant and upright lady, heard of this cowardly act, she scolded the Singhs and
inspired them with the spirit of bravery for which Sikhs are known. Hence the unit went back and
joined the Guru who was already engaged in action at Khidrana. All forty of them attained
martyrdom. The memorandum was torn down by the Guru himself just before Mahan Singh died.
People gather from all over Punjab, even other parts of India to join the festival which is, in fact,
spread over many days. Merchants display their wares for sale, which include trinkets, high end
electronics, the weapons Nihangs bear, and especially agricultural machinery since most around here
are farmers. The country’s biggest circuses, Apollo and Gemini, are there as a matter of rule ; merry
go rounds and giant wheels, and the famous so called “Well of Death” (trick motorcycling inside a
consortium of wooden planks) are special attractions for children.
It is also a very important occasion from a political point of view, as all the significant politicians,
including the chief minister are there on the main day
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