Across 23 States and Into Hyderabad: 350th Shaheedi Shatabdi Nagar Kirtan Arrives Sept 25

A national yatra comes to Hyderabad

A landmark religious procession is set to pass through Hyderabad on September 25 as the 350th Shaheedi Shatabdi Nagar Kirtan Yatra arrives in the city. Organized to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru, Tegh Bahadur, the yatra is traversing 23 Indian states and mobilizing communities around the Guru’s legacy of spiritual courage and defense of religious freedom.

The Central Committee of Gurudwara Saheban (CCGS), Telangana, has planned a formal reception and evening Nagar Kirtan, followed by an overnight halt with devotional programs and community meals. The visit is a prominent moment for Hyderabad’s Sikh community and an invitation for residents of all faiths to join in a celebration of service, music, and remembrance.

What the Nagar Kirtan marks

Nagar Kirtan, a devotional procession accompanied by scripture recitation and hymns, is a core expression of Sikh community life. This nationwide yatra honors Guru Tegh Bahadur, revered in Sikh history for his stand against oppression and his ultimate sacrifice in 17th-century Delhi. The 350th Shaheedi Shatabdi observance underscores his enduring message: protecting conscience and human dignity is a universal responsibility.

The Hyderabad leg places the city on a map of religious and cultural milestones that began last month at Gurdwara Dhubri Sahib in Assam, with the sacred palanquin of the Guru Granth Sahib traveling across the country. The journey concludes on November 23 at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, a historic seat of Sikh faith and tradition.

Schedule and route in Hyderabad on September 25

Key timings and locations confirmed by organizers include:

• Reception at Ghatkesar: The sacred palanquin will be received around 4 p.m., marking the formal entry of the yatra into the Hyderabad area.
• Evening Nagar Kirtan: A city procession is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. from Kishenbagh X Road.
• Procession route: The yatra will pass via Puratan Gurudwara Saheb Asha Singh Bagh Saheeda Singh Asthan.
• Night halt: The procession will stop at Gurudwara Saheb Baram Bala in Sikh Chawni for overnight programs.

Devotional programs and community service

An overnight schedule of kirtan, religious gatherings, and langar (a community meal open to all) is planned at Gurudwara Saheb Baram Bala. Organizers anticipate substantial participation, with devotional singers and priest-narrators expected to lead hymns and discourses. The langar tradition, which emphasizes dignity, equality, and shared service, will be available to attendees regardless of background.

A journey stitched across India

The yatra’s itinerary links diverse regions and communities, reflecting Sikhism’s deep roots and its message of social responsibility. Beginning at Gurdwara Dhubri Sahib in Assam, the procession is charting a multi-state route that includes Telangana’s capital before turning south-east toward Andhra Pradesh and, eventually, north to Punjab. Its culmination at Anandpur Sahib on November 23 aligns with the broader 350th martyrdom commemoration period.

Participation and interfaith outreach

The CCGS has invited people from all communities to participate. The Hyderabad programs emphasize inclusivity—welcoming attendees to walk in the procession, join the devotional singing, and share the langar. The ethos is interfaith and civic: the event honors a religious figure while highlighting universal values of freedom of belief, communal harmony, and service to others.

What residents should know

While formal traffic advisories were not issued in the shared announcements, large processions typically bring increased footfall and slower vehicle movement along specified routes. Residents and visitors may wish to plan ahead:

• Travel planning: Expect localized congestion on the evening of September 25 along Kishenbagh X Road, Puratan Gurudwara Saheb Asha Singh Bagh Saheeda Singh Asthan, and Sikh Chawni.
• Access and safety: Follow directions from volunteers and on-ground organizers to ensure smooth movement for pedestrians and vehicles.
• Participation tips: Those joining at the gurdwara should be prepared to remove footwear, cover heads, and maintain decorum appropriate to a place of worship.
• Community meal: Langar is open to all, free of cost, and operates on a first-come basis; volunteers often guide queues and seating.

After Hyderabad

The yatra will resume on the morning of September 26, heading to Vijayawada in neighboring Andhra Pradesh. The broader cross-country procession remains on course to reach Anandpur Sahib in Punjab by November 23, closing a months-long observance that has connected cities and citizens through devotion, dialogue, and service.