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The annual Maghi festival, coinciding with Makar Sankranti, saw a massive turnout of devotees at the Golden Temple in Amritsar and other Gurudwaras across Punjab. Tens of thousands braved the cold to participate in the sacred rituals, including taking a holy dip in the 'sarovar' (sacred pool). The early morning hours witnessed a significant influx of devotees, many of whom chose to spend the night on the temple grounds to secure their place in the early morning ceremonies. The significance of this particular day, January 14th, as the first day of the traditional Punjabi month of Maghi, was highlighted by a temple priest, emphasizing the spiritual blessings associated with the holy dip. Community kitchens, known as Langars, were set up to provide food to the pilgrims, a common practice during such religious gatherings. While Muktsar district is known for its fervent Maghi celebrations, the Golden Temple's sarovar also holds immense religious importance for many Sikhs.
Muktsar's Maghi celebrations have a distinct historical context, commemorating the martyrdom of 40 Sikhs ('chalis mukte') who fought alongside the 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh. These Sikhs, after initially deserting the Guru at Anandpur Sahib, later rejoined him and perished in battle against the Mughals in 1705. The annual Maghi Mela, a fair held in Muktsar Sahib, serves as a pilgrimage site where Sikhs gather to remember these martyrs and take a dip in the sacred water tanks. This year, however, the event took on a significantly political dimension. Activists associated with jailed MP Amritpal Singh, currently detained under the National Security Act in Dibrugarh jail, Assam, and former MP Simranjit Singh Mann announced parallel rallies in Muktsar to coincide with the religious celebrations. This underscores the intertwining of religious and political activities within the Sikh community.
The planned rally by Amritpal Singh's activists holds particular significance, with potential announcements including the formation of a new political party, possibly named Shiromani Akali Dal (Anandpur Sahib). This development adds another layer of complexity to the already tense political landscape of Punjab. The existing Shiromani Akali Dal, currently facing an internal 'leadership crisis' following allegations of religious misconduct against its former president Sukhbir Singh Badal and other leaders by the Akal Takht, will also hold its own convention in Muktsar. The allegations stem from events during their tenure (2007-17), including the controversial pardoning of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2007 blasphemy case. The simultaneous presence of these competing political factions at the Maghi Mela raises concerns about potential unrest and requires heightened security measures.
In response to the anticipated large crowds and the potential for political tension, Muktsar Sahib Police have implemented comprehensive security protocols. The use of drone cameras for surveillance is a key component of their strategy, providing a bird's-eye view of the Mela Maghi events. In addition to aerial surveillance, assistance centers have been established throughout the city to provide support to devotees. These centers are designed to assist with lost or stolen items, missing children, and any other emergencies or suspicious activities that might arise during the large gathering. The police are taking a proactive approach, aiming to balance maintaining law and order with facilitating a safe and peaceful environment for the religious and political gatherings that converge at Muktsar during Maghi.
Source: Braving cold, devotees converge at Golden Temple to mark ‘Maghi’