With tears in their eyes and hearts brimming with devotion, devotees in the national capital on Thursday bade an emotional farewell to the sacred footwear of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Mata Sahib Kaur Ji, Joda Sahib, from Gurswari Sri Moti Bagh Sahib. The holy relics are being solemnly transported to their final abode at Takht Sri Patna Sahib, the birthplace of the tenth Sikh Guru, completing an emotional journey that honours the full circle of their divine legacy.
A large nagar kirtan, led by the Panj Pyaras, began its nine-day journey covering 1,500 kilometres through four states, including Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. Before its departure, the Joda Sahib were placed at Gurdwara Sri Moti Bagh Sahib, where people paid their obeisance to the holy relics.
The sacred relics comprise a single piece of footwear each, Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj’s right shoe, measuring approximately 11 inches by 3½ inches, and Mata Sahib Kaur Ji’s left shoe, about 9 inches by 3 inches.
In a post on X, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, whose family has been the custodian of the holy relics for almost 300 years, wrote, “Finally, the time for farewell had arrived….. Sahib Ji has left my family’s courtyard, but Guru Ji Di Mehr will always reside in these walls…..It will continue to resonate. The hearts were filled with the silent feelings of the family members with thousands of memories. This tradition of service spanning three centuries is about to enter a new chapter. Wahe Guru Ji Da Khalsa Wahe Guru Ji Di Fateh!
Among those who paid their homage to the sacred joda sahib were Puri and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal AP Singh. Speaking about the route earlier, Puri stated that after the procession begins, it will stop at Faridabad, Agra, Bareilly, Madnapur, Lakhimpur, Kanpur, and Prayagraj before culminating at Takht Sri Patna Sahib.
The decision to place the holy Joda Sahib at Takht Sri Patna Sahib was taken after consultations with several Sikh leaders, members of the community, and the sangat. “Since Patna Sahib is the birthplace of Guru Sahib, it is only fitting that his sacred belongings find a permanent home there. The historic Gurdwara draws countless devotees from across India and abroad, allowing more of the faithful to offer their respects to the revered Joda Sahib,” Puri said, describing the journey as a complete circle of life.