Introduction

Maghi
is the occassion when Sikhs commemorate the sacrifice of forty Sikhs, who
fought for Guru Gobindh Singh Ji. Maghi falls on the 13th January, 2005,
worldwide.
Significance
The day of Maghi is observed to honour the heroic fight of the Chali Mukte,
or the Forty Liberated Ones, who sacrificed their own lives defending an
attack by the imperial army marching in pursuit of Guru Gobind Singh. The
action took place near a pool of water, Khidrane di Dhab, on 29 December
1705.
Celebration
Sikhs celebrate the Maghi with an end to end recital of the holy Guru
Granth Sahib and religious rituals in all the Sikh Gurudwaras. On the eve of
Maghi falls the common Indian festival called the Lohri when bonfires are
lighted in Hindu homes and alms are also distributed. . however The largest
assembly, however, takes place at Muktsar (Punjab) where big fairs are
organized and pilgrims take a holy dip in the sacred waters of sarovar and
also visit several shrines. A mahala or big march of pilgrims from the main
shrine to gurdwara Tibbi Sahib, sacred to Guru Gobind Singh, concludes the
three-day celebration.