The day of Maghi is observed in remembrance of the heroic fight of the Chali Mukte, or the Forty Liberated Ones.
They 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. Sikhs celebrate the Maghi with an end to end recital of the holy Guru Granth Sahib and religious rituals in all the Sikh Gurudwaras (temples).
On the eve of Maghi
bonfires are lighted in homes and alms are also distributed. The largest assembly takes place at Muktsar (Punjab) where big fairs are organized and pilgrims take a holy dip in the sacred waters of a sarovar (pond or lake) 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.