Maghi Mela Festival

Tags: Festivals State News

Maghi Mela festival is being celebrated from January 14 in Punjab.

An overview of the news

• The Maghi Mela has been celebrated in the city of Sri Muktsar Sahib in Punjab for centuries in memory of the 40 Sikh warriors who died fighting the Mughals in the Battle of Khidrana in 1705.

• It was only after this war that Khidrana was named Muktsar or Mukti Kund.

About Maghi Mela

• Maghi Mela is held every year in the holy city of Sri Muktsar Sahib in January or in the month of Magh as per Nanakshahi calendar.

• It is one of the most important festivals of Sikhs.

• The festival marks the martyrdom of 40 Sikh soldiers fighting against the Mughals.

• In the 1700s, the Mughals and the Sikhs were at constant war with each other.

• The Khidrana War began when in 1704, during the siege of Anandpur Sahib by the Mughals, 40 Sikh soldiers deserted their posts.

About Battle of Khidrana

• In 1704, during the siege of Anandpur Sahib by the Mughals, 40 Sikh soldiers abandoned their posts and fled.

• On reaching their village near Amritsar, a woman named Mai Bhago scolded them and challenged the fighters to return to Anandpur Sahib in the service of their guru.

• With Mai Bhago the freshly inspired soldiers marched towards Anandpur Sahib to help Guru Gobind Singh.

• He met Guru Gobind Singh at Khidrana where he came face to face with the Mughal army and sacrificed his life in the process.