Massive footfall at Golden Temple

AMRITSAR: On the eve of New Year lakhs of devotees from across the world today paid obeisance at Golden Temple and prayed for a prosperous 2018 The gathering at the shrine began in the early morning hours According to Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee SGPC authorities the inns were full to capacity and even there was no parking space available outside the shine or designated parking complex

Updated At : 07:40 AM Jan 01, 2018 IST

On New Year eve, people from across the world thronged Golden Temple to pray for a prosperous 2018.

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 31

On the eve of New Year, lakhs of devotees from across the world today paid obeisance at Golden Temple and prayed for a prosperous 2018.

The gathering at the shrine began in the early morning hours. According to Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) authorities, the inns were full to capacity and even there was no parking space available outside the shine or designated parking complex.

Darbar Sahib manager Sulakhan Singh said around 2 lakh people were expected to visit the shrine and take a holy dip in the Sarovar midnight. The rush of devotees is likely to continue tomorrow as well. He said extra employees of the SGPC task force were deployed in the Parikarma for better management.

Manoj Kumar, who came from Delhi, said, “I along with family and relatives decided to celebrate the New Year in the holy city after paying obeisance at Darbar Sahib.” His wife said the family was mesmerised over the peaceful atmosphere here.

Meanwhile, the police had made tight security arrangements, especially near Golden Temple. Appropriate security was there at Lawrence Road and Ranjit Avenue which witnesses various programmes on New Year celebrations.

Route diversion were done by the police. Special directions were issued for parking at Golden Temple. Parking wasn’t allowed for vehicles entering from Sultanwind Gate, Ghee Mandi, Maha Singh Gate and Ram Bagh Chowk. The commuters were asked to park their vehicle at Saragarhi parking. The police have also diverted routes for Lawrence Road. No vehicles were allowed in the evening.