351st Birthday: Thousands pay obeisance at sanctum sanctorum Sri Harmandir Sahib
Posted: 26 Dec 2017 12:10 PM PST
AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—On the eve of 351st birth anniversary of tenth Sikh master Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, thousands of devotees paid obeisance at the holiest Sikh shrine Sri Harmandir Sahib on December 25. A flood of Sikh devotees was observable on the Heritage Walk leading to sanctum sanctorum Sri Harmandir Sahib.
Special manifestation traditional Sikh artifacts was held inside the sanctum sanctorum Sri Harmandir Sahib, Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Gurdwara Sri Atal Rai Ji from 08:30 am to 12:00 pm. Thousands of Sikh devotees had glimpse of these traditional Sikh artifacts during this time.
Despite of extremely cold weather, devotees were seen taking dip in the sacred pond of sanctum sanctorum on this occasion.
A special lighting event with the help of firecrackers was also held by the SGPC following the recitation of Sri Rehras Sahib in the evening.
Although the SGPC claims of providing smooth journey to the sanctum sanctorum Sri Harmandir Sahib but a lot of hindrances were noticeable on this occasion. Firstly, a kilometer long traffic jam on the flyover leading to car parking (situated at the start of Heritage walk) was delaying arrival of Sikh devotees into the sanctum sanctorum. Secondly, rest houses had gone full and the devotees from distant places were facing problem in making arrangement for their accommodation. Devotees were seen booking rooms of expensive hotels at more than usual prices due to unavailability of rooms in the rest houses built by the SGPC.