Guru Granth Sahib’s Guruta Gaddi Diwas
*The Guru Granth Sahib's Guru-ta Gaddi Diwas, the tercentenary 
celebrations at the historic Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar 
Sahib at Nanded in Maharashtra are like big festivities in nature without any political 
controversies and leaving aside the solution of any questions of religious nimportance
 for Sikhs. The large number of Sikhs and the foreign converts to Sikhism from all over
 the world especially belonging to rural areas participating with great enthusiasm 
having deep devotion and faith comparatively in the celebrations as being seen on 
different TV channels and the reports pouring in directly from the devotees who
 personally witnessed the celebrations. The steady flow of devotees and pilgrims from
all over the world continues and is flooding the city Nanded.*
*Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib is one of the five Takhats,
*Elevation of Adi Granth to Guru Granth Sahib:The Adi Granth was conferred the title of
 "Guru of the Sikhs" by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, in October, 1708. The event, 
when Guru Gobind Singh installed Adi Granth as the Guru of Sikhism, was recorded in a
 Bhatt Vahi (a bard's scroll) by an eyewitness, Narbud Singh, who was a bard at the 
Guru's court. There are a variety of other documents attesting this proclamation by the 
tenth Guru.*
*As per the Guru's commandment: A close associate of Guru Gobind Singh and author of 
Rehit-nama, Prahlad Singh, recorded the Guru's commandment saying "With the order of
 the Eternal Lord has been established [Sikh] Panth: all the Sikhs hereby are commanded 
to obey the Granth as their Guru".(Rehat-nama, Bhai Prahlad Singh) Similarly Chaupa 
Singh, another associate of Guru Gobind Singh, has mentioned this commandment in his
Rehat-nama.*            
*The Adi Granth was first compiled by the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev (1563-1606), from
 hymns of the first five Sikh Gurus and other great saints of the Hindu and Muslim traditions. 
The original scribe of the Adi Granthwas Bhai Gurdas and later Bhai Mani Singh. This Granth
 is the Holy Scripture of the Sikhs. The tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh added further holy
 Shabads to this Granth during the period 1704 to 1706. Then in 1708, before his death, Guru 
Gobind Singh affirmed the Adi Granth as the perpetual Guru of the Sikhs and the Granth then 
became known as the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.*
*Guru Gobind Singh Guru (1666-1708), the tenth Guru in Sikh tradition, affirmed the sacred 
text Adi Granth as his successor, terminating the line of human Gurus, and elevating the text 
to Guru Granth Sahib. From that point on, the text remained not only the holy scripture of the 
Sikhs, but is also regarded by them as the living embodiment of the Ten Gurus. The role of
 Guru Granth Sahib, as a source or guide of prayer, is pivotal in worship in Sikhism.*
*To remove or dispell any aberrations created, the tercentenary celebrations of Sri Guru Granth
 Sahib is being celebrated at large scale to educate the Sikh masses; the holy city of Nanded,
 where the event is being held, is undergoing a remarkable metamorphosis This has been the
understanding and conviction of the Sikhs, since that October day of 1708.
That's why even in the present era Sri Guru Granth Sahib has been given status of juristic person.*
*Democratic presidential nominee of U S, Mr. Barack Obama has extended his greetings to the 
Sikh community in America on the tercentenary celebrations of consecration of the Guru Granth
 Sahib sent a message and wrote, "Sri Guru Granth Sahib is considered the universal spiritual 
leader and guiding light for the Sikh community. In 1708, Guru Gobind Singh officially ordained
 Guru Granth Sahib as the final and perpetual Guru of Sikhs. This worldwide celebration will
 commemorate the 300 years of consecration of Guru Granth Sahib and the anniversary of the
 accession of Guru Gobind Singh,"*
*The 'Guru Granth Sahib' is a voluminous text of 1430 pages, compiled and composed during the 
period of Sikh Gurus from 1469 to 1708. It is compiled in the form of hymns written in praise of God
, which describe what God is like and the right way to live.*
*Sri Guru Granth Sahib has been given status of juristic person -The Supreme Court of India has 
held that Sri Guru Granth Sahib is a juristic person and it is also very clearly clarified and left no
 lacuna to raise any misconceptions and controversies and the judgment does not equate Guru
Granth Sahib with Hindu idol or deity. Rather the Supreme Court said when faith and belief of two
 religions are different; there is no question of equating one with another. The Court held 
categorically that Guru Granth Sahib couldn't be equated with an idol, as idol worship is contrary
 to the Sikh principles. Thus it clearly maintains and upholds the separate, unique and independent 
identity of Sikhism. It was held that no doubt the Sikh scripture is a sacred book but it can't be equated
 with the sacred books of other religions as the reverence of Guru Granth Sahib is based on different
conceptual faith, belief and application. It is the living and eternal Guru of Sikhs.*
*It seems rightly concluded by Dr. Kashmir Singh; Professor of Law, GNDU, Amritsar, in his paper
 entitled "SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB-A JURISTIC PERSON" that the judgment is a landmark and
 historic judgment of far-reaching consequences and great significance. Huge properties worth crores
 of rupees exist in the name of Guru Granth Sahib in various parts of the country.
These were encroached upon by usurpers as Guru Granth Sahib, not being a juristic person, could
 not be deemed to hold property in the eyes of law.
It also could not sue to recover the property for the same reason. This judgment has plugged the 
loophole. Now Guru Granth Sahib is a juristic person that can hold and dispose of property and can
 sue for recovery of property belonging to Guru Granth Sahib in the wrongful possession of
unscrupulous people who were taking the undue benefit the legal lacunae..... . Our Ten Gurus were
 persons made of flesh and blood. They preached and taught the humanity by personal conduct. 
They never called themselves as Super Human Beings. So there is nothing wrong if the Supreme
Court has also accepted Guru Granth Sahib, the reigning Guru of the Sikhs, as person in which the
 spirit of Ten Gurus lies. Besides, the Supreme Court of India has highlighted various Sikh principles
 in a right perspective...".*
*Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib with the golden dome and intricate art work was
 built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The other pilgrim sites i.e. Gurdwaras of historical importance for
 Sikhs are the Nagina Ghat, Bandh Ghat, Maltekri, Heera Ghat, Mata sahib, Shikar Ghat, Sangat
Sahib, Ratangarh, Gobind Bagh, Damdama Sahib, The Nanaksar, Langar Sahib and Bhajangarh 
Sahib in the vicinity of Nanded.*
*Some of the devotees from different parts of country are there with the precious and the unique 
historical relics related with the Sikh Guru for exhibition purpose or to hand over to the Takht 
Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Gurdwara Board, as Baba Makhan Singh from Sri Amritsar
has reached there with a CHHATTAR (Umbrella of Gold), a relic of Guru made of gold of about twelve
 and half Kilo grams in weight and 3 to 4 feet in size in a iron box for exhibition and to hand it over
 forever to the Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Gurdwara Board as a Guru's Memento
remained with him so far.*
*The English speaking devotees, pilgrims and visitors from all walks of life attending the celebrations
 demanded separate and better accommodation than the true devotees who seemed to be satisfied 
for the reasons of their deep devotion.*
*The writer of this note never visited the pilgrim sites, Nanded after 1970 and could not reach now to
 celebrate the historical occasion but he has something to console himself as his childhood fast friend,
 Ex-Colonel Jarnail Singh got an opportunity to perform the administrative services under the well
 coordinated centralized command and to celebrate the occasion there as the most trustworthy
 associate of the Chairman, Dr. P. S. Pasricha.*
*Dr. P. S. Pasricha, a former director-general of police for the state now the Chairman,
 Administration of the Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Gurdwara Board, Nanded said, 
"We were fighting Mughals during the first centenary and the British during the bicentenary". "Now it is
 time to celebrate". "We expect it to be peaceful, as the philosophy of Sikhism is universal brotherhood".*
*I owe a deep debt of gratitude to the various persons consulted to write this note.*

*Edited by:*
*Kamaljeet Kaur Sooch (Daughter of Balbir Singh Sooch)*
*B.A (Hons.); LL.M; (UGC Net Qualified; Ph.D (Law) Punjabi University, Patiala .*
**Website: www.sikhvicharmanch.com <http://www.sikhvicharmanch.com/>*