Amritsar, December 17
The sacred urn of Guru Gobind Singh, Ganga Sagar, was received with reverence here today by Sikh devotees who had gathered at Raja Sansi International Airport since morning.
The sacred relic of the 10th Sikh Guru arrived in a chartered plane at 1:46 pm, flown from Delhi. Rai Azizullah Khan, member of Pakistan’s National Assembly, and a direct descendant of the Nawab of Raikot Kalah III, whom Guru Gobind Singh had gifted Ganga Sagar, brought the rare relic from the UK.
Ganga Sagar was placed on a rotating pedestal on a specially prepared wagon. The devotees were lined on either side of the road from the airport to the main road to have a glimpse of the sacred relic. It was taken to the Golden Temple from the airport in a procession.
A gold “chaur” weighing about one kg was also used on the occasion. It was prepared from offerings of Sikh devotees of the city. It would be offered at Fatehgarh Sahib on December 19.
Mr Parkash Singh Badal, President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, along with senior party leaders and
Bibi Jagir Kaur, President, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, were present to receive Ganga Sagar at the airport.
Mr Rai Azizullah said his family felt blessed that his ancestor was given Ganga Sagar by Guru Gobind Singh. He said they were taking special care of its upkeep and had kept it in a bank locker in the UK.
Speaking to mediapersons before Ganga Sagar’s arrival, Mr Badal said he had made a request to Rai Azizullah to bring the urn for Sikh devotees so that they could pay their respects on the occasion of 300 years of martyrdom of Sahibzadas.
Agreeing that a number of religious articles of Sikhs were lying in foreign countries, he said it was very difficult to bring them back. But efforts could be made to bring them for some time to be displayed on auspicious occasions, he added.
Bibi Jagir Kaur said writings and arms of Guru Gobind Singh would also be brought from Paonta Sahib for display at the shatabdi functions.
The forefathers of Rai Azizullah were Hindu Rajputs of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. They were the descendents of Mukal Chand who came to Punjab from Jaisalmer. Tracing the roots of Rai Azizullah, a brochure on Ganga Sagar pointed out that Tulsi Das, fourth generation of Mukul Chand (12th century), embraced Islam and was named Sheikh Chachu. The Rai Kalah I (15th century) was the seventh generation of Sheikh Chachu (Tulsi Das). He was given the title of ‘Rai’ and was gifted Talwandi and neighbouring villages for services rendered to Emperor Allauddin. He founded Talwandi Rai in 1478. Rai Kamaluddin I, grandfather of Rai Kalah II, founded Raikot (now in Ludhiana).
Rai Azizullah, only son of Rai Faqirullah Khan, migrated to Pakistan along with his father after Partition of the country.
