8 lakh devotees likely to pay obeisance at Golden Temple

Over 8 lakh devotees are expected to visit the Golden Temple in the next three days to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Ram Das, fourth Sikh guru, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) said on Saturday. Guru Ram Das birth anniversary is on October 15.

SGPC chief secretary Roop Singh said, “During the three-day long religious congregations last year, 6 lakh devotees had paid obeisance at the holy shrine. The number, however, is expected to be more than 8 lakh this year. SGPC had made all necessary arrangements to welcome the devotees.”

He said apart from the country, devotees from Dubai and Afghanistan are also expected to join the celebrations.

As the Parkash Purb is being celebrated on a large scale, one lakh earthen pots (diyas) will be lighted in parkarma of the Golden Temple. The national highway from the holy city to Wagah border in Attari will also be illuminated on the occasion.

“Golden Temple will also be decorated with flowers , sewa of which is being done by a devotee from Mumbai, Iqbal Singh,” Roop Singh said. Keeping the tradition of religious congregations alive, three--day long celebrations have been planned by SGPC.

“On October 13, a ‘kirtan darbar’ will be held at Gurdwara Manji Sahib Diwan Hall inside the Golden Temple complex. On Oct 14, a nagar kirtan will be taken out from Akal Takht which will pass through twelve gates of the holy city. A ‘rag darbar’ will be organised on October 14 evening. Another samagam (religious function) will be organised on gurpurb day—October 15,” added SGPC chief secretary. HTC