Descendents organise langar at Jor Mela

Akashdeep Virk Tribune News Service

In a time-honoured tradition that spans centuries, the 16th generation of Diwan Todar Mal has once again organised a langar for devotees arriving here to pay obeisance at the two historic gurdwaras on Shaheedi Jor Mela, which marks the martyrdom of two Sahibzadas and their grandmother Mata Gujri.

However, the family does not stay here on the last day of the mela, marking the cremation of nine-year-old Zorawar Singh, seven-year-old Fateh Singh and their 81-year-old grandmother Mata Gujri, and return to Delhi.

Who is Diwan Todar Mal

Diwan Todar Mal, a wealthy merchant from Sirhind, had come forward to cremate the bodies of two Sahibzadas, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, who were bricked alive on the orders of Wazir Khan, the Mughal military commander of Sirhind, and Guru Gobind Singh’s mother Mata Gujri, who had passed away in Thanda Burj where she was confined. In what is considered as one of the most expensive land deals of that time, Diwan Today Mal had purchased the land for cremation by stacking gold coins vertically on it.

“The very thought of the event makes us sad. To be here, in the shadow of their martyrdom, is a burden too heavy for our spirits to carry, especially for my father,” said Mandeep Kaur, the 16th generation of Diwan Todar Mal.

According to the family members, Mandeep’s father Gurmukh Singh, the 15th generation head of family, is asked by the divine soul of Sahibzadas to make preparations for the community kitchen. No money is taken from anyone for the langar. “We do as the Sahibzadas ask us to. If we are told to distribute candies among children, we do that. This time, we have already served different items,” Mandeep said, while distributing kulchas to devotees lined up at their stall near Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib. Like every year, the family reached Fatehgarh Sahib days before the Jor Mela, distributing various items to devotees. This year, the family has already served fruits, hot milk, candies, mathi chhole, dal chawal and rajma chawal since December 20. As per the family members, there is no fixed menu and they serve whatever is “told by Sahibzadas to Gurmukh Singh”.

The langar continues to be a symbol of selfless service, a cornerstone of Sikhism, and a tribute to the rich legacy of the Todar Mal family. The tradition of organising the langar at Fatehgarh is an annual fixture for the family. “We continue to organise this langar not just as a tradition, but as a living testament to the principles of Sikhism, especially the ideals exemplified by the Chhote Sahibzade,” said Mandeep Kaur. “It is our way of paying respect to them and continuing their legacy of service to the community,” she added.