Preparations on for 3 Sikh events

Amritsar, Punjab: The Sikh community is gearing up for three major events in the coming years – the 350th foundation day of Anandpur Sahib next year, the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh in 2017 and the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in 2019.

The SGPC has decided to hold grand celebrations to mark the 350th foundation day of Anandpur Sahib on June 19 next year. SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar said they intend to plant 3.5 lakh saplings in and around Anandpur Sahib to make its surroundings green and beautiful ahead of the mega event.

He said they had already launched “kar sewa” to lend the heritage look to the five historic forts in the holy town. Among these are Quila Anandgarh Sahib, Quila Taragarh Sahib, Quila Haulgarh Sahib, Quila Lohgarh Sahib and Quila Fatehgarh Sahib.

Besides, the gold work inside Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib as also on its domes will be carried out ahead of the celebrations. He said nagar kirtans from different places, including the other four Takhts, will reach Anandpur Sahib to mark the occasion.

He said a “taksal” of ancient weapons would be set up at Quila Lohgarh Sahib to revive the fort’s religious significance, adding that these weapons would be displayed at the fort. He said they had already kicked off yearlong programmes to mark the laying of Anandpur Sahib’s foundation by Guru Teg Bahadur 350 years ago.

Former DSGMC president and Takht Sri Patna Sahib Management Board member Harvinder Singh Sarna said they were developing and beautifying the surroundings of Takht Sri Patna Sahib for celebrating the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh on a grand scale.

“The entire periphery of Takht Sri Harmandar Sahib, Patna, is being given a facelift. We have demolished all old structures, primarily offices, to replace them with modern buildings. Besides, a number of new inns and underground parking lots are being constructed,” he said.

The Bihar government too was allotting funds for widening of roads leading to the holy shrine, he said. There was also a proposal to construct an elevated road to the Takht. He said Baba Mahinder Singh from UK would undertake the gold work and other works at the shrine’s main complex.

Similarly, former Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) president Bishen Singh said they were looking forward to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in Pakistan in a befitting manner. He said they would chalk out their plans regarding it once the new body of the PSGPC was constituted.

                                          Grand celebrations planned

• The events are the 350th foundation day of Anandpur Sahib, 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh and the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev
• The SGPC will hold grand celebrations to mark the 350th foundation day of Anandpur Sahib on June 19 next year
• Arrangements are being made to celebrate the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh at Takht Sri Patna Sahib in 2017
• The 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev will be celebrated at Nankana Sahib in Pakistan in 2019 in a befitting manner

Source: The Tribune