Golden palanquin for Taran Taran Gurdwara in Punjab

Taran Taran (Punjab), Jan.18 (ANI): Chanting verses from the Guru Granth sahib, a large number of devotees on Sunday participated in a special religious ceremony held for the installation of a golden palanquin at the revered shrine in Tarn Taran, a holy place for Sikhs in Punjab.

The "Palki" or, the palanquin would be used every day to carry revered Guru Garnth Sahib for "Sukh Asan" and Parkash rituals apart from during Nagar Kirtan or, religious processions across the city.

Devotees marched through the streets of Tarn Taran, a city set up by Guru Arjan Dev, to offer the palanquin in the service of the guru.

"This palanquin will be put in Guru Arjan Dev's shrine and Guru Granth Sahib will be kept in this palanquin. Daily rituals of morning and evening prayers will take place in this palanquin and we are grateful to the devotees who offered it." said Baba Amrik Singh, a devotee.

The gold-plated palanquin has been prepared by Baba Subagh Singh and Baba Amrik Singh in Govendwal Sahib, a holy place of the Sikhs in Punjab and is estimated to be worth more than 2.5 million rupees.

Following the religious procession in its respect, the palanquin was placed in the Gurdwara here.

"Scores of devotees turned up to witness the event despite the a spine-chilling cold," said Sarbjit Singh, another devotee

The fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev, born in 1563 A.D, was the founder-builder of Golden Temple, the holiest shrine of Sikhs in India. He expanded the city of Amritsar and Kartarpur and founded the city of Tarn Taran.

Guru Arjan Dev was arrested, brought to Delhi and tortured for five days on the orders of Emperor Jehangir, who believed the Guru had conspired against him, and ordered his execution. Guru Arjan Dev was barely 43 years old at the time of his supreme sacrifice. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)