Bihar’s capital Patna turns mini Punjab as thousands of Sikh devotees from Delhi and Punjab reached the city on the occasion of 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, even as gurudwaras in the Delhi wear a festive look to mark the grand occasion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also arrive in Bihar to participate in the celebrations at Patna Sahib – the birthplace of the 10th Sikh Guru, amid continuous threats from Khalistani terror groups. A large number of devoted Sikh NRIs also have trooped into the city for the celebrations and are eagerly performing ‘seva’ (voluntary service).
Around 350 members, including 60 women from UK-based Guru Nanak Nishkam Sevak Jatha also arrived to offer voluntary service at different community kitchens. This time, at least 5 lakh devotees, a record number, is expected to attend the celebrations.
For the last several months, the arrangements have been in full swing with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar selected top officials to examine the preparations for the grand celebrations. The state has declared a 3-day holiday during the ‘Prakash Parv’ at Takht Harmandir Patna Sahib.
Remembering #GuruGobindSingh on 350th #PrakashParv . pic.twitter.com/ggyTxcWi9g
— Newsd (@GetNewsd) January 5, 2017
Born on 22 December 1666, Guru Gobind Singh spent the first 7 years of his life in Patna. At the age of 9, he was anointed the supreme leader of the Sikhs. He also becomes the last of the living Sikh gurus.
The Patna Sahib gurudwara is significant to Sikh history as it’s seen as the second ‘takht’ following Amritsar’s Golden Temple. “Patna to Patna Sahib has turned into a mini Punjab,” said Patna District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar Agrawal.
Reportedly, at least 10 special trains and 300 buses have ferried more than 25,000 devotees from Punjab. Cooks from Amritsar have arrived in Patna’s historic gurdwara to prepare special ‘prasad’ for devotees. This is one of the biggest celebrations of the Sikh guru’s birth anniversary.
