Rush of devotees to celebrate Baisakhi in Punjab, Haryana
Darpan News Desk IANS, 14 Apr, 2022 01:36 PM
Chandigarh, April 14 (IANS) As the Covid-19 wave has receded, thousands of devotees rushed to gurdwaras across Punjab and Haryana on Thursday to celebrate Baisakhi, one of biggest festivals that marks the foundation day of the 'Khalsa Panth' (Sikh order) by the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh.
Also it marks the start of harvest season.
The Golden Temple in Amritsar, one of Sikhism's holiest shrines, saw a heavy rush to offer prayers.
As per gurdwara officials, nearly two lakh devotees visit the Golden Temple on the occasion of Baisakhi.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which manages gurdwaras in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh, has deployed task force staff to manage crowds.
Barricades have been put up at all roads leading to the Golden Temple to prevent overcrowding, a police official told IANS.
A sea of devotees was also witnessed at the Takht Kesgarh Sahib in the holy city of Anandpur Sahib, where the Khalsa Panth was founded in 1699.
"It is after a gap of two years we came to offer prayers and partake a 'langar' in a gurdwara," a devotee said in Anandpur Sahib.
A jatha of 1,949 Sikh pilgrims this week left for Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Pakistan to participate in the religious congregation to be held to mark Khalsa Sajna Diwas (Baisakhi).
Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann extended greetings on Baisakhi and on Sajna Diwas of Khalsa Panth.
Baisakhi has a special significance for the people of Punjab, particularly for the Sikh community as the Khalsa Panth was born on this day, Purohit said.
"Baisakhi also marks the commencement of the harvesting season, when farmers reap the fruit of their hard work," he added.
Addressing the media here, he said all the parties were opposing the AAP because it is talking about building good schools and hospitals for the people of Punjab. The AAP is talking about providing good education and medical facilities to the people.
State party chief Navjot Singh Sidhu said the party's government would procure oilseed, pulses and corn from farmers. Sidhu said the party's 13-point agenda reflects Rahul Gandhi's vision.
Ahead of polling for the Assembly elections, five-time Punjab Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) patriarch Parkash Singh Badal on Friday said the party is poised for a triumphant return.
There were 146 passengers onboard the flight when it took off from IGI for Amritsar. The emergency was sounded at runway number 28 of terminal number 2.
Charging Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with colluding with separatist forces to attain power, the Youth Congress said Punjab will never accept separatist forces. Youth Congress members tried to take out a march but were stopped by the police just outside their office at Raisina Road.
The house from where the device was recovered belongs to a man named Kasim and he had given it to some people who are now missing. A manhunt has been launched for them.
