The Golden Temple complex has been beautifully adorned with fragrant flowers from various regions, including abroad, to celebrate the ‘Parkash Purb’ (birth anniversary) of Sri Guru Ram Das, the founder of the holy city.
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh and SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami have extended their warm greetings for the occasion, which falls on October 30.
Due to the ongoing Nanakshahi calendar controversy, leading to discrepancies in Gurpurbs’ dates, the occasion was commemorated twice in October. The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), following the ‘mool’ (original) Nanakshahi calendar, had already observed the occasion on October 9. Nevertheless, the SGPC commemorates Gurpurbs based on the ‘revised’ version of the Nanakshahi calendar.
To celebrate the occasion, hundreds of quintals of various flowers, including imports from Thailand and Singapore, and locally sourced flowers, were arranged to embellish the entire pathway leading to the sanctum sanctorum, Darshani Deori, and the walls of the Akal Takht.
Devotees from Mumbai and Kolkata arrived to perform the ‘sewa’ (service) of flower decoration. The flower varieties included imported orchids from Thailand and bulk anthurium from Singapore, chosen for their extended shelf life.
SGPC secretary Partap Singh stated that the Akhand Path bhog would be performed at Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib Diwan Hall the following day, followed by Gurmat programs.
In keeping with tradition, Gurmat programs would be held alongside a ‘Jalau’ (display of splendor) at the sanctum sanctorum, Akal Takht, and Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai. The evening would culminate with the entire complex being illuminated and a fireworks display to mark the occasion.
