Three cities of Punjab declared holy

December 24, 2025

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has declared three cities of Punjab as holy cities to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji with reverence and celebration. These are Amritsar, Talwandi Sabo, and Sri Anandpur Sahib. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that there are five revered Takht Sahibans of the Sikhs, three of which are in Punjab: Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Sri Anandpur Sahib, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo, and Sri Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar. A formal notification was issued on December 15, granting these cities the status of centers of spirituality and holy cities. The Chief Minister also said that no stone will be left unturned for the overall development of these cities, as they are also magnificent symbols of our cultural heritage.

The announcement states that the sale of meat, tobacco, and alcohol will be completely banned in the old walled cities of these three cities. Along with this, e-rickshaws and other small passenger vehicles have been made free for travelers in the walled cities. When pilgrims come to these cities for darshan and worship, they can board any e-rickshaw or other vehicle from anywhere and get off anywhere, and the driver will not ask for money. Our own opinion is that the devotees who come to these holy cities for darshan would not refrain from paying for these vehicles; rather, it would have been better if their rates were fixed, their number increased, and these vehicles took the passengers to visit the holy cities at the fixed rates without any dispute.

One more point, the walled cities are continuously shrinking, and the expansion of metropolitan areas is spreading more outside the walled cities. Now, while these things will be banned inside the walled cities, everything will continue as usual in the expanding outer city. Maintaining a balance between the sanctity of the walled city and the consumption of unholy things in the outer city is a major challenge. Will the ban on the sale of prohibited items in the walled city not invite smuggling? Therefore, the rules should be strictly enforced. The announcement is welcome.