Yatra carrying relics of Sikh Gurus enters Majha region

A large number of devotees welcomed the ‘Darshan Didar Yatra’ as it entered the Majha belt at Harike — the confluence of the Beas and Sutlej rivers — on Monday after completing its journey through the Malwa region.

A large number of devotees welcomed the ‘Darshan Didar Yatra’ as it entered the Majha belt at Harike — the confluence of the Beas and Sutlej rivers — on Monday after completing its journey through the Malwa region.

Devotees gathered at gurdwara Guru Hargobind Sahib on the banks of the Sutlej to have a ‘darshan’ of the sacred relics of three of the Sikh Gurus. The yatra is a joint initiative of the Punjab government and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

The yatra, which started on May 6 from gurdwara Dukhniwaran Sahib, Patiala, passed through Talwandi Saho, Kotkapura, Ferozepur, Moga and Zira before entering Harike.

For the next one week, the people of Majha belt will get a chance to have darshan of the Gurus’ relics, which will be taken to Amritsar and other regions of Majha.

Among the VIPs who were present on the occasion to welcome the yatra were Khadoor Sahib MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura; Giani Mal Singh, Singh Sahib, jathedar of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib); Baba Avtar Singh, 12th head of Baba Bidhi Chand Sampardaye and a number of other religious leaders of the area.

Also present was Tarn Taran deputy commissioner Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal; senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manmohan Kumar Sharma; Tarn Taran district chief of Shiromani Akali Dal Arvinderpal Singh Pakhoke, SGPC executive member Gurbachan Singh Karmuwala, jathedar Khushwinder Singh Bhatia, Amarjit Singh Bhalaipur, Balwinder Singh and Baba Avtar Singh Ghariala Wale (all SGPC members) and Ajaypal Singh Meerakot, Punsup chairman.

From Harike the yatra moved to Patti sub-divisional town after Giani Mal Singh had performed an ‘ardaas’ (prayer).

Speaking on the occasion, Brahmpura thanked the Punjab government and the SGPC for organising the “unique” event and giving a rare chance to the people of Punjab to have darshan of the relics. He said the yatra was also an educative process as it would provide valuable information to the youth about the Sikh religion and history.

Giani Mal Singh said the yatra was carrying relics of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib, Sri Guru Teg Bahadar and Sri Guru Gobind Singh displayed in a specially crafted 33-foot-long bus.

Official duties with yatra

The DC said seven executive magistrates, five block development and panchayat officers (BDPOs), panchayat sectaries, patwaris and other government officials had been deputed on duty for the yatra.

He said keeping in mind the safety of the devotees, two ambulances and medical teams were accompanying the yatra. He said langars — offering foods, and chabeels — offering sweetened water, had been set up on the route of the yatra in Tarn Taran district.

The yatra reached Patti after passing through Booh, Kirtowal, Tung, Jyotishah, Sangwan, Bhagupur, Chuslewar Mor and Thakkarpura. From Patti it reached Pahuwind, the birth place of Baba Deep Singh, a legendary Sikh warrior.

After the night halt at Pahuwind, the yatra on Tuesday will move to Bhikhiwind, Chabal and other places before coming to a halt at Tarn Taran town.

On Wednesday (May 20), the yatra would move to Khadoor Sahib.

The yatra is scheduled to reach Amritsar on the evening of May 21 after completing its journey through Tarn Taran district.

May 19: Bhikhiwind, Chabal and other places before coming to a halt at Tarn Taran town

May 20: Khadoor Sahib

May 21 reaches Amritsar in the evening