The 44-day long Darshan Didar Yatra, that started on May 6 from Patiala’s Dukhnivaran Gurudwara, was given a rousing welcome on its culmination on Thursday at Sri Anandpur Sahib after it covered the entire State.
Amidst great enthusiasm and religious fervor, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal along with Sikh high priests and thousands of devotees received the sacred relics of Sikh’s tenth master, Guru Gobind Singh, on the outskirts of holy city of Sri Anandpur Sahib outside.
A colourful religious procession led by the motorcade carrying Sikh’s holy scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, and a specially-designed vehicle displaying relics of tenth master swept the devotees in the fold of spirituality as they were virtually seen having the glimpse of relics with folded hands and murmuring prayers of their lips.
Brigade of Nihang Singhs sporting the horses and Sikh youths displaying martial art of Gatka were the star attractions on the last leg of journey.
The Nihang Singhs beating the drums while riding on the camels and elephants during the entourage enthralled the devotees waiting to behold the relics on both sides of roads despite of scorching heat.
Chief Minister Badal, addressing the gathering, said: “We all are fortunate to have glimpse of the relics of Guru Gobind Singh during our lifetime.”
He said that Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has ever endeavored to showcase the rich legacy of Khalsa panth by commemorating such mega events. “The 350 years of foundation of Sri Anandpur Sahib is also a part of party’s tradition,” he said.
Badal felicitated the Punjab Government and the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) for jointly organising this mega event in a befitting manner.
Chief Minister exhorted the people to follow the path shown by the great Sikh gurus to achieve the goal of divinity. “The commemoration of such events not only enable the younger generations to apprise them with our glorious past but also inspire them to lead a contended life filled with happiness, peace and prosperity,” he said.
Badal said that these relics would be now permanently placed at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib to enable thousand of devotees to have glimpse of it.