Sea of humanity converges at Sultanpur Lodhi to celebrate 550th Parkash Purb

A sea of humanity from across the globe converged at holy town Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district of Punjab to celebrate the 550th Birth anniversary of Sikh Guru Govind Singh ji on Sunday.

Though the Punjab government organised several events throughout the year as a part of the 550th ‘Parkash Purb’ across the state, Sultanpur Lodhi town, where Guru Govind Singh ji, founder of the Sikh Panth, gained enlightenment has been developed as a ‘Smart Town’.

Devotees have been paying obeisance at the historic Gurdwara Ber Sahib and taking 'ashnaan' (holy dip) in Kali Bein.

To make the even historic, the state government has organised a grand light and sound show that uses modern technology to narrate the life and philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev is the star attraction for the thousands of devotees attending the commemoration.

An exhibition showcasing the life and teachings of the first Sikh Guru setup near Guru Nanak Darbar 'pandal' by the Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department, in collaboration with the Punjab Digital Library, has become one of the main attractions.

It exhibits coins related to the Sacha Sauda period, coins and more than 150-year-old utensils related to Baba Banda Singh Bahadar and Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Sakhi's related to Guru Sahib, miniature and other paintings, and photographs related to Guru Nanak Dev.

Special functions here were dedicated to Bebe Nanki, sister of Guru Nanak, on Saturday considering the respect accorded to women in 'Gurbani' by Guru Nanak Dev.

For the convenience of pilgrims visiting Sultanpur Lodhi, the government has set up a tented city, at a cost of Rs 53 crore, over 277 acre, to accommodate 35,000 people. Special trains, including Prakash Purab Express from Delhi to Sultanpur Lodhi, has also been made operational.

Punjab has also made efficient arrangements for the running of special buses as well as e-rickshaws free of cost for the visitors to Sultanpur Lodhi.

Along with Gurdwara Bebe Nanaki, built to honour Guru Nanak's sister, is the Gurdwara Sant Ghat, about two km upstream of Ber Sahib, where he emerged from his three-day immersion in the Bein.