CM inaugurates memorial to Bhai Jaita at Anandpur Sahib

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday inaugurated the memorial named after legendary Sikh general Baba Jiwan Singh, also called Bhai Jaita, in Anandpur Sahib.

Baba Jiwan Singh had attained martyrdom fighting against the Mughals in the historic Battle of Chamkaur Sahib in 1704, alongside Guru Gobind’s sons Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh.

He is remembered for bringing the severed head of Guru Teg Bahadur to Anandpur Sahib so that it could be cremated. Constructed at Rs 29 crore, the memorial has been completed in two phases. It has five galleries dedicated to the Sikh general.

In the first phase, the construction of the main building was completed and inaugurated in February 2024.

In the second phase, the five galleries were being dedicated today. “It will showcase the life and sacrifice made by legendary Sikh warrior Baba Jeevan Singh in a befitting manner,” the CM said.

The first gallery gives information about the Sikh Gurus and illustrates how the Sikh general’s ancestors had been spiritually connected with them from the beginning.

Modern technology has been used to bring history to life. The second gallery portrays the marriage of Baba Jiwan Singh’s parents, his birth and the ancestral lineage.

The third gallery shows the persecution of the Kashmiri Pandits, their plea to Guru Teg Bahadur, his departure from Anandpur Sahib and Baba Jiwan Singh’s early life and education.

It also features an audio-visual presentation on Guru Teg Bahadur’s martyrdom at Chandni Chowk and a recreated scene showing Bhai Jaita bringing back the Guru’s severed head.

The fourth gallery displays, through paintings and multimedia, the moment Baba Jiwan Singh handed over the severed head of the Guru to young Guru Gobind Singh, after which he was conferred the title “Rangretta Guru ka Beta”.

He said that the fifth gallery showcased the historic meditation sites related to the Sikh general, the departure of Guru Gobind Singh and his family from Anandpur Sahib, and concludes with an animated representation of on Baba Jiwan Singh’s life and martyrdom.

Lays stone of heritage walkway

CM Bhagwant Mann on sunday laid the foundation stone of a 580-metre-long heritage walkway to be constructed in Anandpur Sahib at a cost of Rs 25 crore.

“The state government is duty bound to develop this pious land... The project will cost Rs 25 crore and will be completed by March 31,” the CM said.