The Delhi government has declared Tuesday, November 25, a public holiday to commemorate the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, the ninth Sikh Guru. Government offices and schools will now be closed in the capital on a day previously listed as a limited holiday.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the holiday: “May Guru Sahib’s timeless message of courage, compassion and freedom of belief continue to guide and inspire us on our shared journey forward.”
What’s open and closed in Delhi on November 25
The government declared a public holiday for Sunday and announced which institutions would remain closed and which would remain open, including schools, banks, government offices and essential services. Here is the full list:
— Government offices and ministries: According to PTI, all government offices in Delhi will remain closed on Tuesday, November 25.
— Schools and colleges: All government schools and many private schools are expected to remain closed tomorrow.
— Public transport: Metro, buses and taxis in Delhi will operate without interruption. Customers can expect business as usual.
— Hospitals and health services: Emergency services and state hospitals will remain open as scheduled.
— Banks: All private and public sector banks will remain open on Tuesday as per Reserve Bank of India’s regional holiday schedule. Customers can visit their nearest branch and get their banking related work done.
Meaning of Shaheedi Diwas
Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day, also known as Shaheedi Diwas, is celebrated in honor of the ninth Sikh Guru who was executed in 1675 by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
To mark the Sikh Guru’s martyrdom, Indian Railways announced that it would run two special trains for devotees – one from Patna Sahib and the other from Old Delhi – which began operations on Saturday, November 22.
The Chief Minister also invited the people of Delhi and people from across the country to participate in a grand three-day commemoration of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur to be held at the Red Fort from November 23 to 25.
